Inclusion Of Small-Scale Producers In Dynamic Local And Regional Markets

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to investigate the inclusion of small-scale producers in dynamic

local and regional markets. To do so, the study provides a micro level survey. The survey

was conducted on fruit and vegetable farmers, traders and supermarket operators along

three districts namely Kinondoni, Ilala and Temeke in Dar es Salaam region. The Specific

objectives were to (a) describe the current market structure for small-scale fruit and

vegetable farmers (b) Assess various farmers’ marketing chains for fruit and vegetable (c)

To determine the potential of training to small scale fruit and vegetable farmers access to

niche market (d) To examine the role of education level to small scale fruit and vegetable

farmers access to niche market. The hypothesis to be tested states as follows (a) There is

no significant different between various farmers’ chain for fruit and vegetable marketing

chain (b) Training does not have influence on fruits and vegetables farmers’ access to

niche markets (c) Education levels for fruit and vegetable farmers have no impact on niche

market accessible. Results reveal that the trade was uncompetitive with a seller

concentration ratio of 50.4% and 60.2% for tomatoes and mangoes respectively. Implying

oligopolistic behaviors in the market. The intermediary traders linking producers and urban

market traders to access to niche markets which implies uncompetitiveness of the market.

The results reveal 58% of the land used for production is through renting. This can be one

of the limitations for producers to access niche markets. Only 5% of the farmers sell

processed products such as juices and used packages of low quality mainly plastic

materials such as nylon packets. It shows that, 33.3% and 36.7% of tomato and mango

traders respectively used colour and 25% and 21.67% of tomatoes and mangoes traders

respectively used rottenness of the produce as the quality measures respectively. However,

those methods alone would not guarantee safety of the products.