Abstract:
This study was conducted to determine high-value market opportunities for smallholder
vegetable farmers in Arusha Region. To do so, the study provides a micro level survey.
The survey was conducted on smallholder vegetable farmers and high-value markets in
Arusha Region. The specific objectives were identifying the characteristics of smallholder
vegetable farmers in Arusha Region; determining factors that influence smallholder
vegetable farmers participation in high-value market opportunities; and examine the
capability of smallholder vegetable farmers to become preferred suppliers in selected
high-value markets. Data were collected from primary source. The primary source data
for this study was collected from 200 vegetable farmers, and 30 high-value markets
(supermarkets, schools, and hotels). The results showed that age of farmers, sex, their
household, their level of education and their main occupation had a positive influence on
vegetable farmers’ vegetable production and participation. For Binary logistic regressions
it was found that vegetable farmers experience in growing cabbage and in growing
tomato, distance to the high-value market, tomato yield, cabbage yield, and onion yield
had a significant influence on smallholder farmers’ participation in high-value market.
SWOT analysis showed farmers strength, weakness, opportunities, and threats that enable
them to become preferred suppliers to the high-value markets. Smallholder farmers
strength included; owning land, possession of skills in cultivating either cabbage, onion or
tomato, year-round availability of water for irrigation, access to inputs, access to
extension service, and availability of high-value market in their area. The smallholder
farmer’s opportunities were good climatic conditions and training opportunities from
various agricultural organizations.
