ABSTRACT In this study, the factors that influence rural producer organizations in facilitating smallholder farmers to access to agricultural markets were studied. The study used survey data from 120 smallholder farmers (86 members and 34 non-members of smallholder farmer organizations). The study sample was selected using a stratified random sampling technique based on a number of farmer organisations. The study employed a triangulation of data from both primary and secondary data sources. ...
ABSTRACT Adoption of improved agricultural varieties in Africa is low. This situation is not different in Ethiopia. Though increasing yield is a priority, a mere increase in production does not motivate farmers to adopt new varieties. When farmers are able to produce more and can sell in the output markets, they will have much more incentive to adopt the new varieties and be productive. This study, therefore, aims at evaluating the impact of the adoption of improved maize varieties on farmer...
ABSTRACT The study explored the groundnut gendered yield gap and socio-economic factors for groundnut production in Tanzania. The study was based on ICRISAT survey data collected from 938 farmers randomly selected in 9 producing regions namely; Shinyanga, Mwanza, Geita, Dodoma, Tabora, Mbeya, Songwe, Rukwa and Mtwara representing different socio-cultural and agro-ecological zones. Data were analyzed using the stochastic frontier production function to establish the groundnut yield gap and f...
ABSTRACT Smallholder farmers lack knowledge on the amount of income lost from improper grain management after harvest thus they make uninformed decisions on the storage technique to use. This study aimed at assessing the economics of grain storage techniques in Kilosa district in Tanzania. Specifically, the study aimed at performing a cost benefit analysis of grain storage techniques, to determine farmers’ perceptions on the effectiveness of grain storage techniques and to establish determ...
EXTENDED ABSTRACT Large-scale agricultural investments have the potential of improving household livelihood outcomes among households participating in the out-grower schemes and in the investor farm wage employment. However, there is no consensus whether large-scale agricultural investments generate better livelihood outcomes for participating households. This study was conducted in Kilombero Valley in Tanzania to examine socio-economic determinants of household participation in large-scale ...
ABSTRACT Recently there was decline in fish volume captured from natural resources including Nile tilapia from Lake Victoria, which eventually created the opportunity for Nile tilapia farmers to venture in covering the gap. The study aimed to analyze the value chain of Farmed Nile tilapia in Coast, Dar es Salaam, Mwanza and Geita Regions. The regions were purposive selected due to their potential in fish farming and fishing activities of communities in those areas.The overall objective was t...
ABSTRACT This study was undertaken to assess the market efficiency of Jatropha value chain by assessing the Jatropha market channels, pricing efficiency, profitability and price transmissions. The data were collected from a sample of 130 Jatropha market chain actors who were randomly selected from the Monduli and Arumeru Districts using a structured questionnaire. Concentration indices were estimated to assess the market power. Market margin was used to estimate the differences between the s...
ABSTRACT This study analysed the performance of cashewnut production and marketing in Mkuranga District. More specifically, the study dealt with identifying major problems affecting cashewnut production and marketing, profitability of cashewnuts and its competing crop enterprises. In addition, an analysis of factors influencing buyers’ net profit was done. The survey was conducted using a sample of 120 households, 24 traders and four secretaries of primary cooperatives. A structured interv...
ABSTRACT As the marketing process becomes more complex and competitive in a globalized market, affluent rice consumers have more power to demand for specific attributes, especially in terms of quality which is defined by attributes of rice, health and safety. Hence, understanding consumers’ preference for rice attributes becomes very important particularly for locally produced rice. Such understand will enable farmers and other actors along the rice value chain to improve rice quality in o...
ABSTRACT The main objective of this study was to assess employment and income opportunities within tomato sub-sector in Ilula. The specific objectives of the study were: to identify the main marketing channels of tomatoes; to identify existing businesses and business networks related to tomato; to examine the marketing margin and gross margin of the actors of tomato market; and to assess the influence of tomato business and business networks on employment creation in Ilula. Cluster random sa...
ABSTRACT Rice is among the most important crops in Tanzania, being both a commercial andmajor staple food crop for the majority of population. Furthermore, the rice industry contributes substantially to employment, foreign exchange and food security. The importance of rice in contributing to national growth is critical; this makes it meaningful to investigate the nature of rice farmers’ production decisions. Despite the government’s pursuit of pricing policies, Tanzanian rice production ...
ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to assess the role of Group Managed Grain Banks in ensuring rural food security. Specifically the study aimed to: describe the grain banks in terms of their functions and constraints, evaluate the contribution of grain banks on food supply consistency and security at household level and analyse operation performance of each grain bank. The study was carried in Dodoma region, using case study design at Kongwa and Chamwino districts. Purposive sampling wa...
ABSTRACT The study was conducted in Bashay irrigation schemes of Mbulu District. The main objective was to determine the profitable crop production options for Bashay irrigation scheme. A cross sectional single-visit survey involving 100 farmers from Mangisa and Diyomat villages was conducted representing up and down stream respectively. Descriptive Statistics, Gross Margin, Multiple Regression and Linear Programming model were used as analytical tools. The findings revealed that majority (6...
ABSTRACT The improved technologies and other practices in agricultural production are often recognized as critical in addressing food insecurity and poverty. Conservation agriculture has emerged as an alternative to conventional agriculture as a result of losses in soil productivity due to soil degradation. This study was conducted in order to determine the economic performance of conservation as compared to conventional agricultural practices in Southern Uluguru Mountains in Morogoro region...
ABSTRACT Pulses are the major source of income to farmers and nutrients to people and animals. Pulses also offer natural maintenance benefits in the soil. In spite of economic and nutritional importance its consumption is low and has been decreasing over time. This study investigated not only factors underlying pulses consumption but also its consumption pattern. Data used in the analysis were collected by the National Bureau of Statistics in 2010/11 which covered 21 regions in Tanzania main...