The Annual Agricultural Sample Survey (AASS) 2022/23 reveals that agriculture remains vital to Tanzania’s economy, with 8.97 million households engaged in farming, of which 98.3% produce crops and 60.6% rear livestock. Maize production dominates, with 6.3 million hectares yielding 7 million tons, underscoring its central role in food security. However, only 4.6% of cultivated land (922,852 hectares) is irrigated, leaving most farming reliant on rainfall and vulnerable to climate shocks. While 41.3% of households use improved seeds, 79.6% still depend on traditional seeds, impacting productivity. Additionally, only 4.9% of farmers accessed agricultural loans, highlighting a gap in financial support that limits investment. These findings point to critical opportunities for enhancing productivity through irrigation, input access, and financial inclusion.

1. Agricultural Households and Activities:
   • Total Agricultural Households: 8,970,096, with 8,814,646 in Mainland Tanzania and 155,450 in Zanzibar.
   • Crop Production: 98.3% of households (8.82 million) engaged in crop production.
   • Livestock Rearing: 60.6% of households (5.43 million) reared livestock.
2. Land Use and Crop Production:
   • Total Area Planted: 17.2 million hectares, including 8.86 million hectares for cereal crops.
   • Maize: 6.3 million hectares were dedicated to maize, the most widely cultivated crop.
   • Cassava: Planted on 0.78 million hectares, cassava represents a major root crop.
3. Crop Yields and Production:
   • Cereal Crops: Produced 9.7 million tons, with maize alone accounting for 7 million tons.
   • Roots and Tubers: Generated 1.72 million tons, with cassava contributing 0.7 million tons.
4. Land Ownership:
   • 52.3% of cultivated land was owned under customary rights.
5. Irrigation and Seed Use:
   • Irrigated Area: 922,852 hectares, covering 4.6% of planted land.
   • Improved Seeds: 41.3% of households used improved seeds, while 79.6% relied on local seeds.
6. Fertilizer Use:
   • 60.7% of households used organic fertilizers, while 56.1% used inorganic fertilizers.
7. Agricultural Shocks:
   • Short Rainy Season: 9.5% (516,763 hectares) of planted area was fully affected.
   • Long Rainy Season: 11% (910,318 hectares) was fully affected, with additional areas partially affected.
8. Agricultural Loans:
   • Only 4.9% of agricultural households accessed loans for agricultural purposes.

These findings highlight the structure and resilience of Tanzania's agricultural sector, with significant reliance on traditional practices and challenges related to climate variability impacting production stability.

The Annual Agricultural Sample Survey (AASS) 2022/23 for Tanzania provides several critical insights into the agricultural sector's structure, challenges, and opportunities.

1. High Reliance on Smallholder Agriculture:
   • With 8.97 million agricultural households (98% engaged in crop production), smallholder farming remains the backbone of Tanzania's agriculture. The data shows a significant portion of the population relies on agriculture for livelihoods, underscoring the sector's role in food security, income, and rural employment.
2. Dominance of Maize and Cereal Production:
   • Maize is the primary crop, planted on 6.3 million hectares and yielding 7 million tons. This emphasizes maize's critical role in national food security and suggests a need for resilient maize production practices to stabilize food supply.
3. Land Ownership Patterns and Agricultural Investment:
   • Over half (52.3%) of cultivated land is owned under customary rights, which may impact farmers' access to financing and formal land titles. This limited ownership framework could hinder the growth of commercial farming or agricultural investment, indicating a potential area for reform in land policy.
4. Limited Irrigation Coverage:
   • Only 4.6% of total planted area (922,852 hectares) is irrigated. The heavy reliance on rain-fed agriculture makes Tanzanian farming vulnerable to climate variability, as seen in significant crop losses during the short and long rainy seasons. Expanding irrigation infrastructure could increase resilience against climate change.
5. Use of Traditional Inputs vs. Modern Inputs:
   • While 41.3% of households use improved seeds, the majority (79.6%) still depend on local seeds, which may affect crop yields. Similarly, 60.7% of households use organic fertilizers, showing some environmental awareness or resource constraints, but a considerable 56.1% also use inorganic fertilizers, indicating a blend of traditional and modern practices. Increased access to quality inputs could boost productivity.
6. Agricultural Shocks and Vulnerability to Climate:
   • Climate shocks have impacted a large share of agricultural land, with 9.5% of crops in the short rainy season and 11% in the long rainy season being fully affected. This highlights the need for climate-resilient farming methods, improved crop varieties, and possibly more insurance mechanisms for farmers.
7. Access to Credit:
   • Only 4.9% of households accessed agricultural loans, reflecting either a lack of financial access or hesitancy toward formal borrowing. Limited access to credit restricts farmers' ability to invest in better inputs, machinery, or land improvements, which are essential for productivity gains.

In summary, the research suggests that while agriculture is the foundation of Tanzania's economy, it faces constraints such as low irrigation, dependence on traditional inputs, vulnerability to climate shocks, and limited access to finance. Addressing these areas through policy interventions, infrastructure development, and access to technology could enhance the sector's resilience, productivity, and contribution to national growth.