An assessment of institutional factors affecting cashew nut marketing in Mtwara region
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Date
2003
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
The study on an assessment of institutional factors affecting cashew nut marketing was
carried out in Mtwara Region. The study had the following objectives:- (i) To assess the
role played by each institution involved in cashew nut marketing, (ii) To examine the
effectiveness and efficiency of each institution involved in marketing of cashew nut in the
study area, (iii) To analyze the effect of government policies such as taxation on marketing
of cashew nut in Mtwara Region, (iv) To identify kind of capacity building required for
strengthening and promoting cashew nut marketing system in Mtwara region, (v) To
identify the constraints and problems affecting cashew nut marketing system. Both primary
and secondary data were collected. A sample of 160 cashew nut producers. 20 cashew nut
buyers and 44 institutional officials were interviewed using structured questionnaires. The
tools of analysis used, include descriptive statistics and content analysis. The result of
analysis revealed that:- (i) Poor rural infrastructure was indicated as tire main constraint
affecting cashew nut marketing, (ii) unreliable market and low producer price was the
second constraint affecting cashew nut marketing, (iii) other constraints are lack of access
to the reliable credit facilities, (iv) traders decide price (dictation of price) dropping prior to
notice, (v) inadequate competitive market which lead to low producer price, (vi) price
variation from one place to another and (vii) lack of communication and marketing
should be improved, (ii) Government should find the reliable cashew nut market outside the
country, (iii) Government should revive the free market policy to avoid the private traders
information to be available adequately and timely, (v) To create competition on cashew nut
marketing, (vi) The rural primary societies should be strengthened by being given with soft
to exploit producers, (iv) To improve communication system so as to enable marketing
information. From the above results, it is recommended that:- (i) Rural infrastructure loans to buy crops and enable them to sell crops outside the country and the market be in
the hand of union, (vii) More credit to the cashew nut producers, buyers and institutions.
(viii) Price should be stabilized, (ix) Training on how and where to apply for credit, how to
find cashew market out side the country, cashew processing using simple technology but
modem one, and grading of cashew nut should be provided.
Description
Dissertation
Keywords
Institutional factors, Cashew nut, Marketing, Government policies