Analysis of performance in chickpea value chain in Kahama district, Shinyanga region, Tanzania
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Date
2011
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Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
The general objective of this study was to analyse the chickpea value chain performance
in Kahama district in order to provide information to policy and decision makers to design effective programme for assisting farmers to benefit from chickpeas production. The specific objectives of the study were: (i) To analyse the structure of the chickpea value chain in Kahama district (ii) To measure performance at different stages in the chickpea value chain (iii) To determine factors influencing performance in chickpea production. Data for the study were collected from 119 respondents in selected villages in Kahama district including farmers, rural assemblers, wholesalers, retailers, and processors. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, marketing margins, profit margins and regression analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the characteristics of the value chain actors whilst prices, marketing and profit margins were used as indicators of performance at different stage along the chickpea value chain. Specifically, regression analysis was used to determine factors influencing chickpea performance at the farm level. Vertical and horizontal coordination along the chain was found to be weak. The flow of market information was limited to rural assemblers and was not transparent. Fanners had limited means of getting market information through rural assemblers those were not trustful in most cases. Prices and margins obtained by different actors along the chain varied significantly (p<0.05) with the wholesalers obtaining higher prices and profit margins despite the high costs they incurred. Results of the regression analysis indicated that education level, degree of specialization, land size
and market access were major factors influencing chickpea profitability at farm level. Constraints like drought, diseases and pests out break found to affect chickpea production. The study recommends on improvement of chickpea productivity, formalization and strengthening of chickpea farmers’ horizontal and vertical coordination.
Description
Dessertation
Keywords
Performance, Chickpea Value Chain, Kahama District, Shinyanga Region, Tanzania