Kulamiwa K. B2025-07-242025-07-242014https://www.suaire.sua.ac.tz/handle/123456789/6898MASTERS DISSERTATIONDuring the 1980s public sector in Tanzania withdrew from full control of trade activities in rural areas. In spite of a few trials, private companies were not able to fill the gap hence new forms of institutions have emerged to provide a response to constraints that small producers face. Despite the efforts made, rural producers are exploited and the efficacy of rural institutions is questionable. This study was conducted in Iringa Rural District in order to examine the roles of rural market institutions in market access. The selected institutions were Producer cooperatives, Farmers’ and traders' associations. The specific objectives were to examine producer market linkage and individual performance of rural institutions, to identify market strategies among rural institutions and the main predictor of market access. Multistage sampling technique was used to identify study area and a sample size of 120 respondents were selected randomly. Data were collected through structured interviews. SPSS was used to analyse data whereby descriptive data and inferential analysis (Logit regression) were done. Producers were mainly linked to middlemen by 45%, 50% and 20% for cooperative, farmers', association and traders' association. The mostly used market penetration strategy was delay price agreement by 55% for cooperative and 50% for farmers' association. Results revealed that 37.5%, and 50% of cooperatives and farmers' associations respectively used price reduction as a market development strategy. Results indicate that the individual performance of rural market institutions contributes to access to market access. The significance variables (P<0.05) were timely access to market information adequate negotiation skills and engagement in contract farming. It is recommended that the formation of consolidated rural institutions which take bases on collective marketing is required.enruralmarketmarket accessIringa rural districtmiddlemenThesis