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.