We assess the potential and constraints of increased sorghum and pearl millet production to enhance
food security and livelihoods in central Tanzania. These dryland cereals show a high potential to
contribute to local food security. The study employed structured questionnaire survey as the main data
collection method. Data analysis involved the use of Multinomial logit model (MNL) in combination with
other descriptive statistics to determine the socio-economic and agro ecological variables influencing
crop and variety choices and preferences. Empirical results revealed that age of the household head,
farming experience, having plots on particular soil types and access to weather information
significantly influence choices of cereal crops among sorghum, pearl millet and maize. On the same
token, age, farming experience, farmer-extension contact and access to weather information were
important factors on the choice of sorghum varieties viz. local landraces versus improved. Farmers’
perception results show that harvest and post-harvest processes, consumer tastes and preferences,
and market access and prices strongly influence farmers’ decisions to grow sorghum. In conclusion the
results show that although sorghum and pearl millet contribute to the food supply, perceptions, agroecological
variables and socio-economic factors collectively constrain the realization of their potential
in minimizing household food insecurity.