ABSTRACT This study analyses the effect of mobile phone based market information services (MIS) on smallholder farmers’ maize market participation in Lilongwe rural, Malawi using survey data sourced directly from 196 smallholder farmers. The study reveals insufficient evidence to suggest that existing mobile phone-based MIS in Malawi which entails users subscribing to short (text) message service (SMS) price alerts, influence smallholder farmers’ market participation decisions. Knowledge ...
ABSTRACT Governments in many developing countries including Tanzania are promoting irrigation as a response to food insecurity. A current initiative in Tanzania for instance, is to scale up annual paddy irrigation production to 2 million tones in 2018 from the present 8 x 105 tones. Studies conducted in Ruvuma and Mbeya regions by the World Bank (WB) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) shows improvement in irrigation efficiency and crop yield. The question whether t...
ABSTRACT Dry beans are an important source of protein especially among poor consumers in Tanzania. This makes dry beans a strategic food for combating malnutrition. Yet, per capita consumption of dry beans in Tanzania is relatively low. However, the reasons for low beans consumption are not well established. This study provides empirical evidence on beans consumption and factors influencing beans choice in households’ food purchasing decisions. The study used data collected by Legume Innova...
ABSTRACT Consumption of Indigenous vegetables (IVs) in most Sub-Sahara African countries including Tanzania is replaced by exotic varieties/species, regardless of their potential nutritional and economic values. Given this situation, among other IVs, this study was conducted with the aim of assessing consumers‟ acceptance and willingness to pay (WTP) for processed cassava leaves products. Sensory test together with a consumer survey of 110 randomly selected respondents was conducted in Moro...
ABSTRACT Common bean is a major source of food and income for smallholder farmers in Tanzania.The national average yield for common beans which ranges from 0.72 to 1.10 tone/ha, is far below potential yields recommended by agricultural research (1.5 – 3 tones/ ha) using improved varieties. Low common bean yield is contributed by several factors which lower farmers` profit. This study examined the economics of smallholder common beans production in Mbeya, Tanzania. Descriptive and inferentia...
ABSTRACT This study aimed at undertaking a comparative analysis of farm power technologies; manual, oxen, 2WT and 4WT in Rice Production for Smallholder Farmers in Mbarali District, Tanzania. The study had three objectives namely: (i) identification of different farm operations by power sources used by smallholder farmers in paddy production, (ii) analysing costs and returns per unit area of using the mentioned sources of farm power and (iii) examining factors influencing smallholder farmers�...
ABSTRACT This study was conducted to analyze cassava and sweet potato value chains so as to identify potential areas for intervention in order to improve small-scale farmers’ access to markets in Mvomero and Kongwa Districts. Sub-sector mapping was used to map cassava and sweet potato value chains. Results indicate that several constraints exist in the two sub-sectors which among other things include low production, poor access to inputs, lack of market information, poor support services, p...
ABSTRACT This study aimed at evaluating farmers participation in the value addition to oilseeds and its implication on farmer’s income with special emphasis on sunflower. The general objective was to promote sustainable sunflower production and income generation through value addition in the rural sunflower potential areas of Tanzania. Specifically the study aimed to: assess processing capacity and utilization, identify factors influencing farmer participation in value addition, describe ma...
ABSTRACT Efficiency analysis remains an important issue in economic studies, especially for projects which spent tax payers‟ money, grants and loans. Efficiency has implications on agricultural policy in terms of improving paddy production through improved input use efficiency at Madibira smallholder irrigation scheme. This study sought to determine factors influencing paddy production and technical input use efficiency among farmers at Madibira scheme. The total sample for study was 120 re...
ABSTRACT Agricultural transformation from low productivity to commercial agriculture has been a policy of concern in Sub-Saharan African countries whose economies depend on agriculture. Different pathways to commercialization have been adopted, including smallholder commercialization, medium and large scale commercial agriculture while others have adopted inclusive commercialization. However, the existing literature is inconclusive on which pathway should be adopted particularly in Sub-Sahara...
ABSTRACT Sesame is among one of important economic crop for smallholder farmers and other actors involved in value chain. However, smallholder farmers have not fully benefited due to fragmented market and unimproved production. This study was conducted to assess the profitability of sesame actors along the value chain in Masasi District. The specific objectives were to identify the structure and functioning of the value chain; to determine the gross margin received by different actors along S...
ABSTRACT The current trade literature highlights the importance of trade reforms and export diversification as a major economic trajectory towards a sustained economic growth. A concentrated export basket is at risk of price volatility and small market size. The purpose of this study was to expose the connection that exists between trade reforms and export diversification. The objective was to determine the impact of tariff preferences and bilateral trade agreements (dummy variable) on expor...
ABSTRACT This study examined access to agro-credit by farmers in Kaduna state. This study employed survey research methodology which covered the three agricultural zones in the study area. To achieve the objective of the study, five research questions guided the study and one hypothesis was formulated. Hypothesis was tested using Chow test model. The data generated were analyzed using multiple regression and 4-point likert scale rating. A reliability coefficient of 0.78 was obtained using Cro...
ABSTRACT Economic study of the use of organic manure in yellow pepper production in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State was carried out. The study was aimed at; describing the socio economic characteristics of yellow pepper farmers, identifying factors that motivate the use of organic manure by yellow pepper farmers, determining the yellow pepper farmers’ willingness to pay for processed biodegradable waste, determining and comparing the costs and returns from organic manure use onl...
Abstract This study examined snail production in Enugu State, Nigeria using cross-sectional data. It was guided by five specific objectives namely: describing the socio-economic characteristics of snail farmers in Enugu State, snail production system/rearing techniques in the study area, determining the cost and returns from snail farming in the study area, estimating factors influencing profitability of snail production in the area and identifying constraints facing snail farmers in the stud...