Analysis of urban markets-linked cassava value chain: A case of Morogoro rural district, Tanzania.
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Date
2010
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Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture.
Abstract
This study was carried out to examine the value chain for cassava in order to determine strategies needed to enhance profitable participation of smallholder farmers in the cassava value chain for reducing income poverty in Tanzania. Specifically, the study intended: (i) To analyse the structure of the cassava value chain and coordination among actors in the value chain, (ii) To analyse profitability of alternative cassava value chain strands and identify determinants of profitability and (iii) To analyse farmers’ preferential choice decisions of alternative cassava value chain strands and identify their determinants. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 150 fanners from three villages of Morogoro rural district. Data were analysed using descriptive and quantitative methods.
Profit and marketing margins along the cassava value chain were computed. ANoVA was employed to measure the variation in profitability among the smallholder farmers. Factor analysis was used to identify the variables for further analysis on likelihood of farmers to participate in alternative cassava value chain strands. Linear and Poisson regression models were estimated to identify the determinants of profitability and farmers’ preferential choice decisions in risks respectively. Results show that there was no significant variation in profitability between the villages at p<0.05 level. Profit margins varied significantly among cassava value chain actors. The factors that contributed to the profit margin at farm gate were farm size, experience, total family labour, group participation, non-crop livelihood sources and food insecurity. Results also indicate that farmers have positive risk attitude towards participation in the alternative cassava value chain strands and farm size, experience, female-headed households and land-holding had influenced the farmers’ preferential choice decision. Recommendations for enhancing farmers’ participation in profitable cassava value chain strands are strengthening coordination, provision of
improved cassava varieties and introduction of cassava processing technologies.
Description
Dessertation
Keywords
Urban Markets-Linked Cassava, Value Chain, Morogoro, Tanzania.