Abstract:
This study was carried out in Morogoro and Coast Regions. The study used a cross-
sectional research design where data was collected from a sample of 80 consumers
and 30 sellers using structured questionnaire. Also survey methods including
personal observations and key informants was used to obtained necessary
information. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected and analyzed
using descriptive and inferential statistics and linear regression analysis was
adopted by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences program (SPSS). The
results showed that both price and hygiene of the product had negative impact on
demand of the kernel. Also income of the buyer/consumer as well as willingness to
buy have some effect on demand of the product. Other variables such as the number
of children, norms, age and marital status also had some effects on consumption of
processed nuts. Logical conclusion drawn from these results is that, cashew nut
processing technology, inadequate working capital, week linkage between sellers
and consumers, poor entrepreneur skill of both the processor and the sellers as well
as lack of advertisements were the major constraints that affect performance of
traditionally processed kernel across the study area. These observations have both
economic and social impacts on the status of processors, sellers/buyers and
government.
