Theses and Dissertations Collection

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Agricultural marketing and economic development: a brazilian case study
(1965) Smith, Gordon Whitford
This is a study of agricultural marketing and economic develop ment in a rapidly industrializing and urbanizing low income region, the Center-South of Brazil. It analyzes the trends in structure and effi- ciency of the marketing systems through wholesale of Brazil's two most important domestically produced staple food goods, rice and beans. The results of this study cast serious doubt on the hypothesis widely acepted among Brazilian economists that agricultural marketing, by increasing in gross margins considerably in the period since 1950, has retarded the growth of food production, and thus has strongly contri buted to an apparent real rise in food prices in urban areas in the late 19S0's and early 1960's. Both qualitative and quantitative evi- dence indicates that for rice and beans increases in marketing effi- ciency have been substantial and that farmers today (1965) receive a significantly large proportion of the whole sale price than 15 years earlier. Trends in Marketing have thus contributed to non-inflationary growth by increasing fans price incentives without a corresponding rise in urban food prices.
Local taxation in Uganda, Kenya, and Zambia
(University of Illinois, 1975) Scovill, Mary Edith
This study examines the existing local government tax structures The taxes are then evaluated with respect in Uganda, Kenya, and Zambia. to their effectiveness in furthering central government development goals, and recommendations are offered for achieving more optimal tax structures. Some attention is given to the role of autonomous local governmental units in each nation's political and economic structure. Few studies have been conducted of local government taxation in African countries, yet activities of local governments can greatly affect a country's development process. Studying three countries rather than one allows for greater comparison of various taxes and methods, and by this approach, it is hoped each country can draw on the experiences of the other two in determining the efficacy of various tax structures. The major portion of this dissertation is concerned with describing and evaluating the taxes currently employed by local governments in the three countries. Historically, the major revenue source for local governments has been the graduated personal tax, a unique type of income tax levied in many African countries. most local units in Uganda. It is still the major tax for Other taxes examined are assessment rates (property taxes), cesses, licences, and school fees. Taxes are evaluated on the basis of revenue potential, progressivity, effect on resource allocation, and costs of collection. The effect of taxation on growth of GDP is discussed only superficially; growth of GDP is a major development aim of the three countries, but it is affected primarily by central rather than local government taxation. Since each of the countries is concerned with replacing expatriates with nationals in both industry and government, a tax structure that can be administered by citizens is desirable. Information for this paper was obtained from governmental records and publications and interviews with central and local government officials in each country. Certain taxes were found to be more effective than others in meeting each country's aims. cesses were found to be an undesirable tax. In general, Of major requirement is the necessity of designing tax structures to meet the specific needs of each individual country, rather than simply incorporating features from the tax structures of developed countries or other LDCs.
Government financing of the development of small farm agriculture in the Center-South Province of Cameroon
(University of Illinois, 1978) Kamajou, Francois
The development of small farm agriculture has become an increasingly important issue for the economic development of the less developed coun- tries. Economists and the agricultural economists in particular have been trying to understand the complex environment of the small farmer. This understanding is of critical importance as it must precede any economic development program in which the small farmer will play an important role. The development of small farm agriculture is of special concern to Cameroon for two main reasons: (a) Cameroon economy is largely agricultural, and (b) nearly all farms are small farms. development of these small farms. Numerous factors constrain the Some of those factors include: inadequate technology and markets, unavailability of purchased farm inputs, and under developed physical infrastructure. It is plausible to assume that all these factors carry equal weight in furthering the solution to the small farmers’ numerous problems. This study assumes that all other constraints on the development of the small farm are removed in order to focus sharply on one of them, namely, the financial environment of the small farmer. Constrained capital has been shown to limit farmers’ use of purchase inputs, and by extension limits their output and income. In order to reduce the effects of this capital constraint on farmers’ production, the government intervenes in the supply of off-farm inputs. This service is supplied at minimal fees in spite of the very high returns the farmers enjoy. The loans are disbursed in kind in order to assure their use for a specific purpose (increase in the agri cultural output). An economic evaluation of such a credit program, "Operation Ceinture Verte," in the Center-South province of Cameroon, reveals very high returns for the whole economy. A financial evaluation of the same program reveals even higher returns for the participating farmers, but the project agency incurs considerable financial losses. In addition to the cost-benefit- analysis used to determine the three returns enumerated above, a linear programming model is used to determine the effects of, (a) interest rate, (b) size of loans, (c) restrictions on the use of loan proceeds, and (d) the liquidity management needs of the producers, on the farm organiza- tion. The analysis leads to the following major followings. 1. The small farmer is not as sensitive on the level of interest rate as the agricultural credit policy makers believe he is. In other words, a substantial increase in the interest rate he is charged does not affect his production organization. Indeed, should an interest be charged that is high enough to make the credit program more secure, the farmer may be led to ascribe greater permanence to the program. would likely follow: One consequence he would then consider program credit in reserve to be valuable to him and thus be a substitute for cash in meeting his liquidity requirements. The liquidity needs of the smaller farmer are real needs as shown by the large amount of cash he holds in reserve in order to counter various contingencies. A more permanent source of cash leads him to commit more of his reserved cash to his production process. 2. The size of the loans the small farmer obtains is more power ful in affecting farm organization than the interest rate he has to pay. This particular finding reinforces the point that limited capital supply is more limiting on the growth of the small farmer’s income than is the cost of capital, provided of course that these costs are kept within "reasonable" limits. 3. The relaxation on the use of government loan proceeds does not have a negative effect on farm output, as often believed by the policy makers. The study shows a considerable increase in the farmer’s net cash flow when loans are disbursed in cash. This restriction implicitly assumes that the small farmer’s household expenses can be clearly distinguished from his production or investment expenses; but this assumption does not reflect the well known interrelationship between the small farmer’s consump tion and his production expenses. 4. Though not substantiated by any empirical evidence, it is logi cally demonstrated that the policy of subsidized rate of interest worsens the income distribution. It is extremely important to emphasize that the findings above are derived from an optimal farm organization and should not be expected to be found in any particular farm. They are derived under the various and rather strict assumptions of the mathematical model which was used. Finally, the implementation of any policy suggestion derived from the findings is to be attempted in an integral process, taking into consideration all other limiting factors.
An economic analysis of the small-scale coffee-banana holdings in Moshi Rural. District, Tanzania.
(University of Nairobi, 1979-11) Msechu Adam R. M.
This study was undertaken with the major objectives of assessing resource availability and resource use by small-scale farmers in Moshi rural district of lanzania, with the view to identifying the critical constraints leading to low farm incomes in the area. In this respect, an attempt was made to find out whether the available resources could be re-allocated between- alternative uses in order to maximize total farm gross margins. A sample of 46 farms were surveyed from four villages in the district. The data were summarized and agregated to form a representative farm model for the area The empirical analysis of the input-output data included gross margin calculations of the important farm enterprises, and linear programming analysis, under the existing and improved technologies. The results of the survey showed that land was the most scarce resource. Farmers were also lacking important inputs and tools for most of their crop and livestock activities. The results of the fidndings in the empirical analysis, as well as experience, indicates that under the existing technology, farmers in the district were efficiently utilizing the available farm resources and that there was little potential for increasing farm incomes through re-organization of the current farms set—up. However, under mixed and improved technology farmers could greatly improve their farm incomes through greater intensity in use, improved methods of production, and raising productivity per unit area or animal. Under all the improved and mixed technology optimal farm plans, excess labour supply was revealed to be available in most months of the year on the farms. It was therefore, concluded and recommended that government in conjunction with other agricultural development institutions should strive to improve the quality and quantity of the extension staff. These institutions should also review the present heavy export-tax on coffee in order to make the crop more profitable to farmers. Research priority should be given to investigations on the coffee-banana inter-relationships as practiced by the small-scale farmers in the district. If farmers were to adopt the mixed and improved technologies optimal farm plans, the findings of the empirical analysis indicates that such optimal plans would generate excess labour supply on the small-holder farms which implicitly could profitably be employed through establishment of off—farm activities such as small scale indust ./es in the villages.
Economic analysis of acreage supply response under risk: the case of selected crops in Oklahoma
(Oklahoma State University, 1981-12) Mlay, Gilead Isaac
Modifications of small-farmer credit In the maisan 77 program of the Philippines
(1983) Octavio, Generoso G.
This study was conducted to determine possible reforms that may improve the Maisan 77 credit program. Specifically, it aimed to pinpoint suggestions that will reduce the net costs of lending and improve the financial and economic well-being of farmer-borrowers. To accomplish these objectives, survey data were used to specify and validate a liquidity-specified linear programming (LS-LP) model. Simulations of the model were made with variations in: (1) interest rate, (2) credit limit, and (3) mode of loan disbursement. 11 The effects of a break-even" rate of interest was given special focus since this is the rate of interest at which the credit program recovers its lending costs. The results of the simulations showed that: (1) The welfare losses of the farmer due to increases in interest rates can be offset by coordinated increases in the size of loan, thus, making the credit limit as more important to the farmer’s well-being than the rate of interest he has to pay. (2) Disbursement of program loans in cash only resulted in improved financial structure and liquidity reservations for the farmer. function, net cash flow and cash available increased. decreased while total reserved credit increased. The objective Reserved cash These indicate that credit reservation tends to substitute for cash, allowing the farmer to commit more of his cash to production. A likely consequence is the possible extended outreach of the program to small farmers who have not yet been served with loans. Cash only disbursement of loan relaxes the restriction on its use. more versatile loan like moneylender funds will be valued highly. Thus, Ahigher valuation of cash program loan may lead the borrower to preserve such loan—and to protect it by paying back his/her debt. (3) The effect of break-even interest rate just by itself, is a general reduction in the farmer’s welfare, though the lender recovers its lending costs. However, when coupled with increasing credit limit and an all cash disbursement of loan, results showed improvement in the well-being and liquidity position of the farmer as well. Using simple calculations, it was shown that the public sector’s net cost of lending can be reduced by simultaneous increases in interest rate and credit limit.
The allocation of resources in the small farm household of dumila, Magole villages and the Kilosa Tanzania: a nutrition based Nonmechanized Mkundi and District, approach.
(University of Illinois, 1984) Gillard-Byers, Thomas Edward
Many people and a couple of organizations have contribu-ted to the successful completion of this research.these individuals contributed time, The African Studies Program and experience, Many of and patience. The Office of International Agriculture provided funds and linkages to those areas which I find most interesting. I want to thank my wife, Nancy, for her continual sup port as we both worked toward this goal. The long days and sleepless nights were always made shorter by her companion- To my son, Nicholas, ship. whom I foolishly told "Ask me if I finished my dissertation today," which he did month in and month out, Without I want to say, "You made it all worthwhile." the continuous support of my family I would have certainly faltered. My sincerest thanks go to Dr. Folke Dovring who guided my work and was available at a moment's notice, for whatever problem I encountered. His suggestions and encouragement led to the completion of this work, of which I am proud. Dr. Dovring's scholarship and humanism will not be forgotten. I also want to thank the other members of my committee, Professors Sam Johnson, Rashid, Charles Stewart, Jean Due and Salim for their constructive suggestions. Dr. Johnson was instrumental in helping with the modelling of the villagesand focused my concentration on issues which had been over-iv looked. Dr. Stewart offered his time and his knowledge of the historical background of Africa. The support which I received from Dr. Stewart and the African Studies Program was continuous and welcomed. Dr. Due provided the source of in formation which proved to be the basis of the dissertation. Funding of this research was almost wholly undertaken by Dr. Due. The time which she spent reviewing this work has re-suited in a better product. Rashid, Thanks are extended to Dr. Department of Economics, to a much clearer manu script. Salim whose suggestions have led Dr. Rashid was willing to put aside important work to consult with me . Others who have helped me complete this dissertation with or without their knowledge are Dr. Earl Ke 1logg, Dr. Eldon Johnson, Dr. John Santas and a number of my peers soon to be doctors, man. Jane Gleason, Timothy Kohnen and Vickie Sig- They have all made it a little bit Special thanks mus t go to Mrs. Constance Hoffmann for the tremendous job she has done typing this manuscript. Last but not least, I want to thank the members of the Department of Agricultural Economics, both secretaries and faculty, their open door policy. for their open door policy.
An analysis of consumption patterns of major food items in Morogoro district
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 1984) Mrema, May Joyce Nyakasero
Response studies relating changes in food consumption patterns to relative changes in income and prices, and as influenced by sociodemographic factors are lacking in Tanzania. Food demand projections and the evaluation of the impact of alternative food policies on consumers and producers1 welfare, and the cost for complementing them require parameter estimates based on food demand studies. The study examines food consumption patterns of major food items, in Morogoro district for the year 1983. The influence of income, sociodemographic factors and government policies on food consumption patterns are considered. Budget shares, income elasticities, and marginal propensities to consume by income groups are determined. In addition to the analyses based on individual food items, an investigation based on aggregated classes is also conducted the aggregation being based on the nutritional value of the food items. The nutritional classes considered are (i) Energy (maize, rice, sorghum, wheat flour, cassava, bananas and sugar), (ii) Proteins (Milk, meat, beans and fish), (iii) Vegetables and (iv) Fats. The data was gathered from both primary sources (through a questionnaire administered to a sample of 120 households randomly selected from both the urban and rural areas), and secondary sources (Government reports, Population Census). regression and tabula analyses. The data was analyzed by The model used in the regression analysis evolved from the static theory of consumer behaviour. For per capita expenditure, on food income and education level, nature of employment and residential area are the factors considered. Four functional forms (i.e. linear, quadratic, semilog and double log) were identified for the analysis. The linear form was selected for subsequent analysis as most of its coefficients conformed to a priori expectation, it had the highest R , and relatively lower standard errors than the other functional forms. The study has established that lower income households have higher budget shares on food than the higher income households (84 per cent and 50 per cent respectively), whereas rural households and farmers have higher budget shares than urban households and non farmers (79 and 89 percent respectively, and 55 and 54 per cent respectively). This is because of lower incomes of the rural and farming households compared to the urban and non farming households. The lower income group spend a higher budget share on energy items (58 per cent), whereas the higher income groups spend a higher budget share on proteins (23 per cent). Households with 0-3 years of education spend 75 per cent of their incomes on food with 52 per cent being spent on energy items, whereas those with 15 - 25 years of education spend only 44 per cent on food and 20 per cent on protein. The study also shows that the total mean expenditure on food increases with an increase in the household size. Mean expenditure on food, increases with an increase in the age of head of household up to the age of 45 years and then declines thereafter. Qualitative analysis shows that the urban households prefer maize, rice, wheat flour, cassava and bananas,while the rural house holds prefer maize, rice, sorghum and cassava. Falling real income and cronic food shortages have resulted in below the required calorie and protein intake for all income strata, and has increased expenditure on cassava and bananas by the urban residents. Engel curve results indicate that per capita income was the only factor affecting per capita, total food expenditure significantly, it affected two food catagories (energy and protein) and three selected individual food items (maize, rice and meat) significantly. The level of education of the head of household affected significantly the vegetables category only, whereas area of residence was found to affect significantly the protein category (mainly meat) and sorghum. The nature of employment factor had no significant effect on the consumption expenditure of any of the food classes considered. Marginal propensities to consume (MPCs) and income elasticities decline with an increase in income level. The MPCs for the most preferred food items (maize, rice and meat) are higher than for the less preferred food items (sorghum, banana, and beans) Those MPCs for protein and energy food categories are higher than those for fats and vegetables. Income elasticities for maize, rice, meat and beans are generally higher than for sorghum and bananas, and those for energy and protein categories are higher than for vegetables and fats. This indicates that a one per cent increase in income will increase the expenditure on the more preferred food items by a higher percentage than the increase in the less preferred items. Maize., rice, meat and beans are luxury commodities for 20 per cent of the sampled households while meat is a luxury commodity for 80 per cent of the sampled households.
Structural change in the u.s. soybean and soybean products Markets:a systematic varying coefficient Simultaneous system approach
(1985) Rugambisa, Jeremiah Boniface Ishengoma
The soybean industry is an interesting area for investiga- It is extremely complex and has been changing rather t ion. dramatically over the last 10 to 15 years. There exists a high degree of interaction among the markets for soybeans, oil and soybean meal. soybean Recent shocks and changes in the world economic environment have impacted substantially on the industry altering the demand for its products and even changing the participants and their roles in the marketplace. Understanding the behavior of the soybean industry is important to market participants, alike. producers and consumers Changes in market structure can influence demand and supply conditions, price movements and can cause rather consid- erable changes in farmer income and the prices that consumers pay for related final products. Under these circumstances, the value of accurate forecasting of prices and quantities increases in importance. ters (e.g. Also, knowledge of changing structural parame elasticities) can be crucial to government decision makers in analyzing the effects of alternative farm policies. The general thrust of this thesis involves the econometric modeling of structural change in the U.S. products markets. soybean and soybean A quarterly econometric model is specifiedV within the framework of a systematic varying coefficients simultaneous system. Changing parameters will be identified and an examination of the forecasting performance of the model will be made.
The design of an agricultural credit system for small farm families in Liberia
(University of Illinois, 1985-03) Sarlie Joe Yanquoi F.
Liberia, which became independent on July 24, 1347, is located on the West Coast of Africa bounded on the south by the Atlantic Ocean, north by Guinea, west by Sierra Leone, and east by the Ivory Coast. Liberia did not achieve any significant economic growth until the post World War II period. In order to accelerate this growth process, President W.V.S. Tubman launched the Open Door Policy Program to entice foreign investment and skilled man power for the development of iron ore mining, cocoa and rubber plantations and other vital industries. As a consequence of this program, the monetary sector of the Liberian economy grew quite rapidly between 1950 and the early 1970s. an estimated per capita income of $530.00 in 1982.1 Liberia had However, the pattern of growth which evolved from the iron ore, rubber and cocoa concessions left the vast majority of the population unaffected; for example, while the enclave sector produces a per capita GNP of $1,620, the large majority of the population which lives in the rural sector has a per capita income of about $160. 2 This rapid economic growth rate of the economy became relatively stagnant as a result of the falling prices of iron ore, cocoa, coffee and rubber prompted by international economic conditions of the 1970s. As a result of world price fluctuations of these major exports, which made government revenue uncertain and vulnerable, the government had to search for potential new sources of growth. Agriculture was identified as a potential source of growth that had not been adequately explored.
The financial infrastructure and agricultural development in Tanzania
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 1988) Temu Andrew Ephraim
In any economy there is a sector which portrays the highest potential for the contribution to economic growth. In Tanzania, like in many non-oil producing African countries the agricultural sector is the most important. Development efforts in such an economy have to pay due weight to such a sector. This study looks on to the roles and contributions of a financial infrastructure to agricult ure development in Tanzania. The study has five chapters. Chapter 1 is an introductory one and gives the background of the economy and justifies the study. Chapter two establishes the basis of evaluation by reviewing and presenting the roles of the financial infrastructure. are evaluationary ones. Chapters three and four Whereas chapter three looks into the structure and set up of the financial system, the philosophical basis of establishment, objectives and roles of the financial instit utions, chapter four evaluates the achievements of this system in fulfiling four identified roles of a financial infrastructure; establishing a medium of exchange, mobilization of savings, issuing credit and acting as a tool of economic stabilization. There is evidence of a deliberate effort by the financial system to assist the agriculture sector. The philosophical basis of establishment of institutions, roles and provisions at the Central Bank portray the importance accorded to Agriculture. The weaknesses and low performance of financial institutions in assisting agriculture are attributed to the low level of financial widening and deepening - widening in terms of branch network and deepening in terms of serving more clients. Poverty, unwillingness and resistance by the rural populace are rejected as the reasons for failure in savings mobilization or use of credit. Stable developmental strategies are called upon for harmonious functioning of the financial system.
Evaluation of externally funded regional integrated development programmes (rideps) in Tanzania: case studies of Kigoma, Tanga and Iringa regions.
(School of Development Studies of the University of East Anglia, Norwich, 1988-06) Ngasongwa, Juma
The importance of regional integrated development programmes and projects (RIDEPs) as pub lie policy instruments of rural change in Tanzania cannot be over-emphasized. S i nee have played purposefully directed towards increasing agricultural production and improvement in the quality of regions in the country. Soon launching of programme in July 1972, the (PMO), the then newly created super ministry responsible f or all rural development ma 11ers, formula ted and adopted a RIDEP policy and strategy. One of the key elements of i n the preparation and implementation of regional integrated development plans. Although donor response i n the preparation and writing of the RIDEP plans was enormous, culminating in each region having plan ready (i . e. on the she If) by the late seventies, follow-up funding was realized f or only ten of the twenty of the Tanzanian regions. I n the later years, the rate of donor dropout became a serious problem by 1986 only three RIDEPs were still running with donor support. The present study is regional integrated deve1opment programmes and projects of three Tanga (West Germany) and a significant role a number of as public Interventions which have been the administrative decentralization regions in Tanzania Kigoma (World Bank), this policy was to encourage donor participation after its own Prime Minister's Office life of the rural people in an ex-post evaluation of externally funded so that the early seventies RIDEPs I r i nga (EEC)). A rev1ew of eva1uat i on methods i s undertaken to estab 1i sh the i r link with and re 1evance to the obj ec t i ves and hypotheses of the study. The chosen methods and i nd i ca tors of the s t udy are d i scussed and the i r appropr i a teness is demonstrated. The chosen methods are ’bef ore and af ter’ compar isons, ’with and wi thout’ compar i sons and surveys. These eva1ua t i on methods are c ons i dered more appropr i a t e to the c ircurnstances of ianzan i a than others such as cos t-benefi t ana 1ys i s, f i nanc i a 1 investment ana 1ys i s, p1ann i ng-programmi ng-budget i ng system, etc., wh i ch usua11y resort to computer i sed ana 1yses. G i ven resource const ra i nts (f unds, manpower wi th the appropriate skills and equipment), s i mp1e methods are t o be preferred to the more soph i st i cated ones, if the re 1i ab i1i t y of the cone 1 us ions is similar. Each regional integrated development programme or proj ec t i s d1scussed and eva1ua t ed. A deta i1ed exami nat i on of <1) the obj ec t i ves, <2) appropriateness of the planning methodology and (3) exten t of implementation of each RIDEP i s carr i ed out and analysed to determi ne the i r ach i evements and failures. The purpose of the evaluation activity i s to pinpoint the ach i evements and the reasons f or the non-ach i evements of the RIDEPs when compared wi th their stated object ives. Through the evaluat ion exerc i se strengths and weaknesses of the RIDEPs as instruments of rural change are ident i f ied and recommendat ions are advanced to improve the effectiveness of the on-going RIDEPs and, mos t i mportant1y, of RIDEPs as a methodology of rural development planning and implementation in Tanzania.
An Economic analysis of factors influencing Flue-cured Tobacco production in Tanzania: A case study of Iringa district
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 1992) Mwikila, Theophil Ruttashubanyuma
The study tobacco focuses production emphasis is on fluctuations on factors in Iringa factors yield The Tanzania. District, responsible which are in tobacco flue-cured affecting for wide small-scale in both and large-scale farms. Two types of data namely primary and secondary were collected. Structured questionnaires were used to collect most of from two the primary data and small-scale large-scale selected samples farmers. Discussions of with relevant authorities and use of relevant office documents were the main of sources secondary analyses , multiple regressions, programme planning are the data. budgeting techniques Descriptive and direct in used the analyses. Results indicate tobacco individual production maize and in significant that working capital, influencing small-scale f arms. were tobacco Total areas under statistically production tobacco yield on is highly associated with both tobacco planted area and the amount of working capital spent for tobacco inputs used. Positive correlation exists between tobacco area planted, tobacco yield per ha and the amount of capital employed while negative correlation is observed between tobacco yield per ha and maize area planted. For large-scale farms, tobacco farming experience and total tobacco area planted are important parameters explaining the variations in tobacco yield per hectare. Tobacco yield per ha is highly correlated with tobacco farming experience. tobacco Also, area planted positively correlated with farmer’s experience. is Shortage of firewood, inaccessibility of credit facility from banks and low soil fertility particularly in large scale farmers were the common problems. Recommendations encourage cultivation include of Government manageable policies farm sizes that and intensification of agricultural extension services. Others include prompt payment of sold tobacco, special credit scheme to tobacco farmers, introduction of liberalization of tobacco market and encouragement of research that aims at solving the firewood problem.
An economic analysts of state owned large scale mechanised wheat farms. a case study of setchet wheat farm in Arusha, Tanzania.
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 1993) Bernard, Stanslaus Masaga
This large study scale Arusha, describes wheat Tanzania. and analyses production The the Setchet at economics of Farm in Wheat of study are to objectives (a) determine benefits and costs of wheat production at Setchet Farm and examine the farm’s cost effectiveness, (b) examine efficiency and profitability of the farm and (c) investigate the constraining factor(s) limiting the farm to achieve its potential yields. The study requires extensive use of secondary data. However primary data were collected to supplement recorded data. Analysis applied involved use of descriptive analyses, such as the benefit-cost ratio (supplemented by net present value and internal rate of return), efficiency ratios and cost comparative analysis. Survey results reveal that, the farm is operating below its potential compared to wheat research trials done at Hanang Wheat complex. Efficiency ratio analysis shows that although the farm has been able to meet its production costs, meagre farm margins in some years have made the farm not able to meet its investment and depreciation costs. Economic analysis demonstrates that the current average farm performance is economical, while financial tests reveal that the farm is commercially unviable at 1.8 tons/ha. The economic analysis gives a benefit-cost ratio of 1.15. financial analysis at the same management level, But gives a benefit-cost ratio of 0.96. the On other cost hand, comparative test reveals that conventional, tillage method is cheaper than reduced tillage method currently applied at the farm. From the study it is recommended that, the farm should do advance preparati on of f arm machinery before field operations, while seed multiplication has to be carried on separate blocks. On the other hand, the farm should apply conventional tillage method during land preparation. Finally the study recommends further restructuring of NAFCO so as to allow autonomy and flexibility of the farm management.
Economic analysis of the role of women in the traditional farming systems in Mbozi District Tanzania
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 1993) Mwanyika, Dorothy Stanley
This study evaluates the the economic analysis of role of women in the traditional farming systems in ten villages of Mbozi district. The specific objectives of the study are:{1) examining the contribution of women in the traditional agriculture production system and assess the distribution of output and income on gender basis; in agriculture on examining the effect of mechanisation utilisation labour respect with women; to identification of critical constraints in the production process where women are involved and (4 ) suggest ways of productivity women’s improving and their hence contributions to rural development. each of selected randomly. the ten villages, Descriptive farmers f ive statistics, were tabulations and multiple regressions w4re used in the analyses. results revealed that: (1 ) although women The labour contribution to both agricultural production and off- farm activities in the study area is greater than that of mens they don’t have control over income; (2) production of food crops is mostly the responsibility of females while that- cash of crops is males’; (3) women’s workload increases relative to men as agricultural mechanisation increases; (4) the factors accessibility to which affect resources women’s are productivity economic andnsocial constraints , Lack of access agricultural information Mbozi women from and achieving to Labour, Land, credit their capital, facilities maximum hinder product ivity levels and (5) Mbozi women have an equal say with their husbands on what to is be produced and sell in t he i r families. Policy recommendations include: (1 ) the provision of labour and time saving devices appropriate for women; (2) resources be should efficiently by used, much more increasing the proportion directed to women’s crops and tasks to reflect more accurately the importance of these crops and tasks to the food system; (3) gender related biases should be eradicated; (4) credit facilities should be provided to women farmers and ( 5) women should be encouraged to form economic units such as co operatives or associations so awareness and self as to increase confidence. their productivity,
Economic analysis of medium scale agricultural enterprises in a predominantly smallholder agriculture sector.
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2001) Philip, Damas
Sub Saharan African countries poverty. Most of these countries, including Tanzania, depend heavily on agriculture for their economic development and meet their food requirements from domestic production, imports and food aid. Increasing agriculture production is thus a high- priority topic in Sub Saharan Africa, including Tanzania. This study is motivated by governmental organisations, to support smallholder farmers to achieve the expected targets and hence the need to seek for a more responsive alternative target for support that will lead to the achievement of the desired improved production in the Tanzanian agriculture sector. The study tests the hypothesis that there is an unexploited potential for modernizing the Tanzanian agriculture sector through promotion of medium scale farming. To test this hypothesis the study investigates the profitability of medium scale agricultural enterprises in Tanzania using 233 dairy and sugarcane farms located in Morogoro as a case study. In this study profitability was measured by Economic Farm Surplus (EFS) and Gross Margin Analysis (GMA) for the dairy and sugarcane/paddy farms respectively. Literature on previous studies in this area focused on small-scale enterprises and has highlighted the importance of the size of the agricultural enterprise the trend of profitability of agro-based enterprises with increasing farm size. In order to capture the effect of the changing farm size on profitability, the selected dairy and sugarcane/paddy enterprises were grouped into seven and nine categories for dairy and sugarcane respectively. Prior to the estimation of multiple regression models for the two types of enterprises i.e. dairy and sugarcane, a simple comparison of mean EFS ABSTRACT are faced with lagging food production and pervasive on productivity of agro-based enterprises. Thus the present study aimed at observing the failure of the efforts, by the Tanzanian government and international and non-and GM analyses for the different size categories was conducted deploying the analysis of variance (ANOVA) technique. The ANOVA indicated the existence of significant differences in the levels of the EFS and GM for the different farm size categories. Three multiple regression models were estimated to establish the relationship between size and profitability. The results revealed that the productivity of an enterprise was positively influenced by the size, access to credit facilities, access to extension services and farmer’s level of education. The results from this study suggest that Tanzanian medium scale agro-based enterprises have a very high potential for growth if supplied enterprises in the country' drastic policy changes that will make sure that the needs of medium scale farmers take a central part in the agriculture policy are required. with a favourable environment. In order to stimulate the growth of medium scale
Farmer co-operatives, group enterprises and gender in Kilimanjaro region: a socio-economic analysis.
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2001) Mwaikambo, N .W; Mwaikambo, Naomi William
In this study the level of women participation in co-operative activities and the socio economic and cultural characteristics, which limit women’s participation in co-operatives in Kilimanjaro region were studied. Moshi Rural and Mwanga districts were selected for the study. Seventeen primary co operative societies and 4 women group enterprises were selected from the two districts. Descriptive statistics, mainly percentages and means were computed. A T-test was done to determine if there was any difference in yields between primary cooperative societies’ members and non members. Chi-square analysis was also carried out to determine if there was any significant relationship between respondents’ general characteristics and membership in cooperatives. Gross margin analysis was done to establish relative monthly profitability of the selected women group enterprises. Based on the analysis, it was found that several factors have led into low production of coffee and poor performance of primary co-operative societies that deal with coffee marketing. Some of the factors responsible for this situation included (a) high price of agricultural inputs, which has caused the majority of farmers to stop using purchased inputs. This has lowered production of coffee, which has in turn lowered the amount of coffee collected by co-operatives, (b) procurement of coffee being dominated by private traders, which has further reduced the quantity of coffee collected by co-operative societies, and (c) shortage of land in Kilimanjaro region. Furthermore, the study foundiii that women participation in primary co-operative societies as members and leaders is limited by the fact that women do not own land for production of coffee. To overcome this deficiency, some women engage in group enterprises. Such group enterprises do not perform very well due to capital inadequacy, time constraints for participation in group enterprises and lack of market for the goods produced. Also where credit and extension services were available, only a few women get access to such services compared to men. It was also found that low production of coffee, presence of private buyers who provide an alternative market to primary co-operative societies, and the insignificant difference in coffee yields between members and non-members have made some farmers reluctant to buy shares and become primary co-operative society members. Based on the study findings it is recommended that (a) where credit schemes to assist poor rural women are available, a wide range of collateral besides land (which is limited to most women) should be accepted and focus should be on individual women as well, (b) since co-operatives have previously failed due to lack of debt collection policy, an effort be made in future to make sure that parallel to creation of women’s credit facilities, debt collection is adequately enforced to sustain such institution, (c) income generating projects, which do not require substantial capital should be initiated in order to enable most rural women to generate reasonable income, (d) women should be assisted to secure markets, (e) when assistance for rural development is provided, focus should be put on enhancing women capacity to utilise it profitably and sustainably, and (f) for every primary co-operative society, there should be a specified percent of women in membership and in election of leaders, women should be included.
Economic analysis of cash crop production and marketing' in Tanzania under a liberalised market economy: a case study of tobacco in Songea district
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2001) Rweyemamu, Dennis Christian
This study analyses the efficiency of production, degree of distortion in the markets and the pattern of incentives for smallholder tobacco growers in Songea district under liberalization. A survey was conducted on a sample of 120 tobacco growers in the district, and secondary data collected from key organizations in the industry. Because patterns of resource utilization change with shifts in prices of products and inputs whereby producers tend to allocate more resources to enterprises giving higher returns per unit of resource, gross margin analysis was conducted for the two competing crop enterprises in the area, tobacco and maize, so as to establish the relative economic profitability of the crops. Since tobacco is a tradable crop using tradable inputs, a policy analysis matrix for its production system was constructed so as to determine the private and social profitability of the crop, distortions in the markets and efficiency of resource use. Since PAM is a static model, sensitivity analysis was also conducted so as to explore the effect of potential changes in various factors that influence profitability of the enterprise. The analysis revealed that although tobacco production is potentially a profitable enterprise relative to the international market, smallholders are not protected and are paid less than the potential value of their product. The overall effect is a net taxation of tobacco production system at the form level. Thus, the existing marketing arrangements under liberalization have made the enterprise appear uncompetitive with low resource allocation efficiency. There is therefore a net disincentive to produce the crop. Gross margin analysis indicated that tobacco was more profitable compared to maize but considering labour requirements, the former is a highly labour demanding crop with low returns to labour. Sensitivity analysis indicated that an increase in producer prices for tobacco would result into a sharp increase in producer incentives and smallholders will be more protected with profits realized in excess of normal returns to domestic resources increasing. With a decrease in the parity price of the product, indicators depict that production of the crop becomes undesirable from the social point of view. However, efficiency indicators were insensitive to an increase in parity prices of tradable inputs implying that tobacco production will still be a desirable enterprise from the social point of view. The study concludes that although liberalization opened up markets by formally allowing private leaf dealers to invest in marketing of tobacco, operational arrangements have not provided adequate incentives to growers in terms of pre-harvest services and marketing efficiency in general. Many problems have been noted which indicated gross inefficiency in the entire production and marketing system. These problems alter costs and revenues in the input/output markets and prevent realization of potential income gains by tobacco growers.
Cross-border trade in Northern Tanzania: the effect of market exchange arrangements and institutions on values of non-traditional export crops
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2003) Mlulla, Allan Syril
This study was conducted to investigate the influence of market exchange arrangements on export values of non-traditional agricultural export market in Northern Tanzania. The survey was conducted on oranges in Muheza. Specifically objectives were to (a) evaluate trade competitiveness of the cross border export market for oranges, (b) Determine gross margins under different arrangements of market exchange and examine variations across every arrangement in the cross border export market for oranges, (c) Identify factors influencing export values (gross margins) of orange farmers. The study is based on farmers, local and Kenyan traders surveys, and a PRA. Data were analysed using (SPSS). Data analysis entailed descriptive statistics including frequencies, cross tabulations and correlation tests. Gross margin technique was used to determine export values of farmers, local traders and Kenyan traders. Multiple regression model was used to identify factors influencing gross margins of farmers, and a simple regression aimed at establishing effects of economies of scale for farmers. Concentration ratio, Chi square and T-test were also used in the study to test robustness of the statistics. Results reveal that the cross border export market for oranges was uncompetitive with a seller index of concentration ratio of 72% implying oligopolistic behaviours in the market. It was found that market information flow was poor, most farmers (81%) relied on unreliable and subjective sources. Gross margins were significantly different (p>0.01) across different market exchange arrangements. Lastly the study revealed producers’ gross margins were influenced significantly by age of producers, number of mature trees, remoteness of the farms, duration of skills training and farming years. The following recommendations were made; there be training to farmers on business and credit management. There be government regulation to correct inefficiency in the market and producers should increase their farm sizes and number of mature trees along with input use.
Road infrastructure investment and its impact on agricultural productivity and equity in Tanzania
(Institute 490B, University of Hohenheim, 2003) Gabagambi, Damian Mulokozi
Road Infrastructure Investment and its Impact on Agricultural Productivity and Equity in Tanzania

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