Mghweno, Owen Nelson2026-02-272026-02-272014https://www.suaire.sua.ac.tz/handle/20.500.14820/7344DissertationMaize and beans are among the major staple food crops in Tanzania. However, among other things, production of both crops has been limited by low use of quality seeds. As part of its efforts, the government of Tanzania adopted Quality Declared Seeds (QDS) production system in 2000 to promote quality seeds use. The general objective of the study was to generate evidences that may contribute towards production and distribution of Quality Declared Maize and beans Seeds in Kongwa and Siha Districts respectively. Specifically, the study determined shares of seeds from different sources using descriptive analysis; identified factors influencing QDS purchase decision using binary logit regression and estimated household QDS demand using Cobb Douglass utility model. It involved sample of 120 randomly selected producers of each crop. Questionnaire, focus group discussion and key informant interview were used to collect data from farmers, QDS producers, input suppliers, TOSC1, ASA and DALDO offices. The study has revealed that maize production constituted of seeds obtained from own-saving (70%), QDS (15%), subsidized seeds (9%), other farmers (6%), input suppliers (0.1%) and seed kit programmes (0.1%). Beans production constituted seed obtained from own-saving (52%), market centers (36%), other farmers (10%) and nearby shops (3%). Furthermore, membership associations; access to subsidized seeds; demand for more varieties and higher income from agriculture increased the probability of farmers to purchase QDS while high use of own-saved seeds and seed exchange between farmers diminished purchase of QDS. Furthermore, the study has revealed that QDS demand was higher for HH with higher seed expenditure; previous use of QDS and access to market with higher prices of produce. This study recommends improving local seed systems; building capacity of farmers to purchase QDS, review of QDS legal market; improving agricultural market information system and improving preferred local varieties for QDS production.enMaizeBeansQuality seedCrop productionThesis