ABSTRACT The overall objective of the present study was to examine price linkages between maize and rice to inform food policy in Tanzania. The specific objectives were: i) to analyze trends in monthly wholesale prices for maize and rice in selected markets; ii) to determine the degree of price transmission between maize and rice; iii) to determine the direction of causality between maize and rice prices. A purposive sampling was used to draw a sample of ten (10) markets /regions. The study ...
ABSTRACT Despite various efforts by international non-governmental, local public and private institutions towards the research and development of improved crop technologies, the use of improved seeds in Tanzania is still low hence low agricultural productivity among smallholder farmers. The general objective for this study was to identify the most preferred improved maize seed varieties and the determinants for the demand for those improved seeds in rural mainland Tanzania so as to suggest m...
ABSTRACT This study presents the results on the impact assessment of credit under Kagera Agricultural and Environmental Management Project (KAEMP) on rural livelihoods of smallholder farmers in Misenye district, Kagera region. The general objective was to assess the impact of agricultural credit under KAEMP on smallholder farmers’ rural livelihoods. The specific objectives were to identify socio-economic factors within the project environment that influence the use of credit, assess the us...
ABSTRACT This study intended to assess challenges facing supply of outgrowers sugarcane to Mtibwa factory in Morogoro, Tanzania using a sample of 210 respondents. The main objective was to investigate problems leading to low supply of cane from outgrowers. Specifically the study aimed to (i) Investigate factors affecting farm level productivity,(ii) Analyze sugarcane outgrowers technical efficiency, (iii) Determine profitability of sugarcane production among outgrowers and (iv) Examine cons...
ABSTRACT This study was designed to determine the integration of rice markets in Enugu state. Factors considered include: socio-economic characteristics, existing market structure and channels, integration of rice markets, structural factors that affect the integration of rice markets and the problems affecting rice traders in the state. Forty wholesalers and forty retailers were selected for the study. Primary data and secondary data were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics,...
ABSTRACT The World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control reiterates the global effort toward tobacco control. The treaty seeks to decrease both the supply and demand of tobacco related products by reducing their production and consumption through legislation. Kenya, a party to the treaty, has put legislation in place to the same effect. However, not enough evaluation has been done to explain whether the passage of this legislation has trickled down to the extent that cha...
ABSTRACT Liberalization of the Cotton market in Malawi permitted private sector participation in the market. As such it was expected that the liberalized market would afford both the sellers as well as the buyers of cotton a fair return on investment as compared to the days when the Government was controlling the cotton prices. A major consequence of the market liberalization policy was that a new market structure has emerged because of the entrance of individuals firms and corporate organiza...
ABSTRACT This study was designed to evaluate the Credit requirements of small-scale farmers in Kogi State and to subsequently determine the optimum farm credit for farmers in the area. Multi-stage random sampling method was used in the selection of the respondents. In all, a total of 30 respondents were randomly selected from eight communities to give a total of 240 respondents. The regression results on the effects of Socio- Economic Variables on credit need showed that the t-ratios for far...
ABSTRACT Despite the policy interest of the Ethiopian government to expand teff (Eragrostis tef), wheat and chickpea production for exports, domestic consumption and food and nutritional security for the rural poor the production system is not adequately market-oriented and productivity is at its lowest level. Besides, there is dearth of information on how limited resources in crops production are being used so as to optimize outputs in the country. Thus, this study was conducted to assess re...
ABSTRACT The Maasai of Narok and Kajiado counties have started embracing agro-pastoralism as a livelihood diversification strategy. Among the crop enterprises they have incorporated are African Indigenous Vegetables in abid to take advantage of their resilience to the changing environment. However, for African Indigenous Vegetables to be beneficial, it requires efficient marketing. A marketing analysis of African Indigenous Vegetables was conducted in Narok and Kajiado counties to determine t...
ABSTRACT Exports are a vital component of a nation’s balance of payments as they are source of foreign exchange and economic growth. Much of the economic growth in Zambia has been driven by copper exports, which have suffered from external shocks such as plummeting prices on the world market. It is against this background that the Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ) has devised a number of measures to promote export diversification to non-traditional exports with a view to reducing h...
ABSTRACT The contribution of common bean to nutrition and income has not been fully felt by smallholder farmers in western Kenya due to low yields. Good quality seed, if used with complementary practices can increase bean productivity. This study was conducted in Bondo sub-County to determine the methods used by farmers in seed quality control; factors affecting the choice preferences for informal bean seed sources; the structure and contribution of social networks in seed quality control. Pr...
ABSTRACT Legumes are important food and cash crops in developing countries. In Tanzania, more than half the farmers grow several species of grain legumes which include common bean, groundnut, pigeon pea, cowpea, chickpea, peas and soybean. However, productivity of all grain legumes is still low and far below potential and this has impacted on profitability. The aim of this study was to contribute to common bean improved profitability facts for income and food security in Tanzania. The specifi...
ABSTRACT The fact that evaluating economic performance of irrigation schemes are important and therefore needed at regular intervals is actually the motivation behind this study. Major objective of the study is to provide information that can be used to improve performance of the Farmer Managed Irrigation Schemes in Tanzania in terms of; economic returns to farmers, water use efficiency and productivity, operation and maintenance and sustainability of the schemes. The study area covered thre...
ABSTRACT The potential of the traditional beef cattle sector in Mwanza region and Tanzania at large have only been utilized marginally. The sector still suffers from limited access and linkages to premium markets, lack of entrepreneurial dynamisms by actors, as well as, use of poor production and processing technology. Based on this ground this study was carried out under the VicRes funding to evaluate the performance of the beef cattle value chain in Ilemela and Magu districts. The study a...