The District Agricultural Sector Investment Project (Dasip) and Food Security In Magu District, Tanzania.

ABSTRACT This study was carried out in Magu District in Mwanza Region (March 2012). The study aimed at assessing the contribution of district agricultural sector investment project on food security. The specific objectives were to identify the demographic characteristics of the respondents, to examine the pattern of district agricultural sector investment project, to assess the level of food security in Magu district and to examine the relationship between District Agricultural sector investment project and food security. 12 wards were selected whereby 5 villages were chosen purposively in each ward. A total number of 154 respondents were chosen randomly in each village. Data were collected by using structured questionnaire for respondents including project stuff. Data analyzed by using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) programme version 16.00. This study found that Dasip is contributing more in the area such that provides inputs to farmers, providing trainings, provision of financial loans to farmers and supporting farmers to plan their development activities. However the area is facing the problem of food insecurity where by there is instances of low food intake by adult in the household, public is receiving food assistance and the household food budget become insufficient to meet basic needs. The study concludes that the issue of free market is compromising the community such that farmers have no constant market on their products, so Dasip should make sure that it organizes the farmers to become as a team so as to have a strong power and get stability price on their products instead of each rarmer to work independently. therefore the study recommends that though Dasip contributing much on agriculture :he government should improve much agricultural projects to ensure food security by supply )f enough agro in puts, construct food storage facilities, support agro projects, mobilize agro ~rmer credit, training, enough agro -infrastructure, agro technology, irrigation system.