ABSTRACT
This research was aimed to make an assessment of the performance of input voucher
subsidies in maize production in Mbeya district. The specific objectives aimed to
examine the nature and extent of input voucher subsidies system practices for maize
cultivation in Mbeya district, to identify the hurdles experienced by smallholder
farmers in availing the input voucher subsidies system and to bring out the
challenges in making the input voucher subsidies system achieve its aim of
increasing the maize production. The study adopted a cross-sectional research design
whereby data were collected at once. Primary data were collected through survey
method using a questionnaire and interview method using an interview guide. The
study was covering 85 maize farmers selected from two villages i.e. Songwe
viwandani and Idiga in Mbeya district. This district was selected to represent similar
Tanzanian districts which had maize farmers who received inputs though voucher
system. The research findings revealed that, the performance of input voucher
subsidies system on maize production was not satisfactory because for majority
farmers the impact of agricultural input voucher was really unseen. It was claimed
that the benefits of the vouchers were captured by powerful people, such as Village
Voucher Committee members, financially capable farmers and few powerful local
politicians.
The study recommended that in order to realize the vitality of input voucher
subsidies to maize farmers, inputs need to be distributed to maize farmers at the right
time. Also strong strategies needed to be taken to reduce corrupt practices such as
voucher being distributed to the people who were not intended by the program or few
powerful people, such as Village Voucher Committee members who were using the
vouchers mostly for their own use.
, V (2021). An Assessment Of The Performance Of Input Voucher Subsidies In Maize Production In Mbeya District. Afribary. Retrieved from https://afribary.com/works/an-assessment-of-the-performance-of-input-voucher-subsidies-in-maize-production-in-mbeya-district
, V.Venkatakrishnan "An Assessment Of The Performance Of Input Voucher Subsidies In Maize Production In Mbeya District" Afribary. Afribary, 25 Apr. 2021, https://afribary.com/works/an-assessment-of-the-performance-of-input-voucher-subsidies-in-maize-production-in-mbeya-district. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.
, V.Venkatakrishnan . "An Assessment Of The Performance Of Input Voucher Subsidies In Maize Production In Mbeya District". Afribary, Afribary, 25 Apr. 2021. Web. 23 Dec. 2024. < https://afribary.com/works/an-assessment-of-the-performance-of-input-voucher-subsidies-in-maize-production-in-mbeya-district >.
, V.Venkatakrishnan . "An Assessment Of The Performance Of Input Voucher Subsidies In Maize Production In Mbeya District" Afribary (2021). Accessed December 23, 2024. https://afribary.com/works/an-assessment-of-the-performance-of-input-voucher-subsidies-in-maize-production-in-mbeya-district