Kilimo

In Msalala district, land is mainly used for crop cultivation and livestock. Major crops grown include; paddy, cotton, tobacco, maize, grain legumes, sorghum, cassava and sweet potatoes. Fruit trees commonly found include particularly mangoes and further around homesteads, lemons, lime grapefruit, oranges, bananas, guava and papaya, with a few places cashew.

The majority of Msalala residents depend on subsistence agriculture and livestock rearing as main source of income, it is estimated that more than 85% are engaging in this business. Approximately, 80% of the total arable land (482,320 ha or 57% of district area) is presently being utilized either for crop production or as grazing land. Farm sizes vary from 0.4 to 20 ha per farm household, averaging to 2.4 – 6.0 ha. Five main agro ecological zones in the district have been distinguished as follows:

Cotton farming system zones (28% of total district area)

Rice farming system zones (17%) 

Maize farming system (34%) and

Maize-chick pea farming system (< 2%)

Main food crops are maize, cassava, sweet potatoes, sorghum, groundnut, millet and beans. Cotton, and rice constitute the main cash crops, although all have suffered from unreliable rainfall, prolonged drought and unfavorable market outlets. In some years the district enjoys boom productivities especially during the favorable market and rainfall condition.  Introduction of power tillers is promoting crop production to farmers. 

Table 4: Estimated Cultivated Area (Ha) Under Major Food Crops in Kahama District, 2006/07 – 2010/11

Table 5. Estimated Cultivated Area (Ha) Under Major Cash Crops by District, 2006/07 - 2010/11

Crop Production

3.1.2.1 Major Food Crops\

Table 6:           Estimated Production of Major Food Crops (Tonnes) in 2006/07 - 2010/11

  3.1.2.2 Major Cash Crops

Table 7: Estimated Production of Major Cash Crops (Tons), 2006/07 - 2010/11

Table 8:           Amount and Value of Cash Crops Sold in Msalala  district, 2007/08 – 2009/10