Effectiveness of Knowledge and Skills Development Programs in Improving Productivity of Smallholder farmers’ Organization

The challenges of food insecurity and poverty in the East African Communities and Sub-Sahara Africa as a whole is a big threat to the fulfillment of the Sustainable Development Goal 1 and 2 which aim to have a world with no hunger and zero poverty. Lushoto District in the Tanga region of Tanzania is popularly known for farming of fruits and vegetables because of the mountainous terrain that it is, with bottom level farmlands suitable for growing vegetables all year round.

This study then seeks to assess the effectiveness of the deliveries of knowledge and skills development programs in improving the productivity of smallholder farmers who are classified by farm ownership of less than five acres of farmland per household. The study identified the post-harvest handling skills acquired and its effect on productivity, including quantity of crop loss after harvesting, and income of farmers.