Contribution Of Pyrethrum Production To Livelihoods Of Small Scale Farmers In Mufindi District

ABSTRACT 

The purpose of this study was to examine the contribution of pyrethrum production in improving the livelihoods of small scale farmers in Mufindi district. A crosssectional design was employed in this study and it adopted a mixed approach to collect both qualitative and quantitative data. Survey, interviews and documentary review methods were employed to collect information related to this study. Purposive and simple random sampling techniques were used to obtain a sample of 80 respondents including 70 long time (40) and recent (30) pyrethrum farmers, three Pyrethrum Company of Tanzania (PCT) officials covering field operation, marketing and procurement officers, two pyrethrum agents and five farmers who stopped cultivating pyrethrum. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the quantitative data, while qualitative data were subjected to content/thematic analysis to determine common themes. The study findings revealed that there was very little contribution of pyrethrum to livelihoods of small scale farmers in Tanzania as the industry is dominated by a limited and closed market that restricts competition as far as small scale farmers are concerned. The study recommended that the Government of Tanzania and Pyrethrum Board of Tanzania could facilitate installation of refineries to increase value addition for pyrethrum. Ensuring competitive open market by enabling many players obtain licenses for procurement of pyrethrum flowers will help the small farmers obtain reasonable prices. The Pyrethrum Company of Tanzania should assist farmers with supply of alternative driers like barons for drying pyrethrum flowers.