Are Price Changes in the World Market Transmitted to Markets in Less Developed Countries? A Case Study of Sugar, Cotton, Wheat, and Rice in Tanzania

This paper investigates the extent to which world market price changes are transmitted through changes in border prices into local producer prices for four agricultural product markets in Tanzania: sugar, cotton, wheat and rice. The changes in the marketing channels for each of these products resulting from market liberalization are described. The statistical analysis finds that, in general, Tanzanian border and world market prices for these products do not move closely together, although there is evidence that border prices are influenced by world market price levels but not vice versa. The absence of monthly price data at producer level for these products did not permit a detailed examination of the relationship between farmgate prices and either border prices or world market prices. However, the qualitative discussion suggests that the extent of price transmission is likely to be imperfect. These results have implications for the interpretation of simulation results modelling the potential impact of trade policy changes on Tanzanian producers and consumers. They also underline the need for concerted efforts by policy makers to reduce the extent of monopoly power in these marketing chains and to improve the degree of price transmission.Agricultural trade, price transmission, developing countries

Are price changes in the world market transmitted to markets in less developed countries? A case study of sugar, cotton, wheat, and rice in Tanzania

IIIS Discussion Paper No. 160This paper investigates the extent to which world market price changes are transmitted through changes in border prices into local producer prices for four agricultural product markets in Tanzania: sugar, cotton, wheat and rice. The changes in the marketing channels for each of these products resulting from market liberalization are described. The statistical analysis finds that, in general, Tanzanian border and world market prices for these products do not move closely together, although there is evidence that border prices are influenced by world market price levels but not vice versa. The absence of monthly price data at producer level for these products did not permit a detailed examination of the relationship between farmgate prices and either border prices or world market prices. However, the qualitative discussion suggests that the extent of price transmission is likely to be imperfect. These results have implications for the interpretation of simulation results modelling the potential impact of trade policy changes on Tanzanian producers and consumers. They also underline the need for concerted efforts by policy makers to reduce the extent of monopoly power in these marketing chains and to improve the degree of price transmission

Factors influencing the consumption of pulses in rural and urban areas of Tanzania

Tanzania Journal of Agricultural Sciences 2015, Vol. 13(2) : 59-74Pulses are important/sole sources of some dietary protein and energy, especially for the vegetarian population and poor people who are less able to afford the cost of other sources of protein. Despite its nutritional and economic importance, its consumption trend in Tanzania has been decreasing over time and factors underlying this change are not well established. This study investigated factors underlying market participation and its consumption to inform policy and chain actors about ideal means to address the challenge. A two-step model following the double hurdle specification was adopted to identify factors underlying the decision to consume pulses and its extent of consumption. Model results revealed that household sizes and education levels of the decision makers residing in rural areas had significant effect on the decision to consume pulses while the extent of consumption was influenced by their education levels, household sizes, households’ total expenditure on food and non-food and prices of pulses and meat. Household sizes, levels of education and sex of the main decision makers were found to have significant effects on the decision to consume pulses whereas the age and education levels, household sizes and household’s total expenditure were the main factors that influenced the extent of consumption in urban areas. In summary, the model showed that participation in pulses’ market was lower in rural than that in urban areas. However, the overall consumption was lower in urban than that in rural areas, implying that the prospect for increasing its consumption is higher in urban than that in rural areas. To increase the market share of pulses, traders should devise effective strategies to tap into the growing demand for pulses in urban areas. This strategy should be founded on thorough understanding of desired attributes of these products and purchasing power of different consumer groups

Factors influencing the consumption of pulses in rural and urban areas of Tanzania

Tanzania Journal of Agricultural Sciences 2015, Vol. 13(2) : 59-74Pulses are important/sole sources of some dietary protein and energy, especially for the vegetarian population and poor people who are less able to afford the cost of other sources of protein. Despite its nutritional and economic importance, its consumption trend in Tanzania has been decreasing over time and factors underlying this change are not well established. This study investigated factors underlying market participation and its consumption to inform policy and chain actors about ideal means to address the challenge. A two-step model following the double hurdle specification was adopted to identify factors underlying the decision to consume pulses and its extent of consumption. Model results revealed that household sizes and education levels of the decision makers residing in rural areas had significant effect on the decision to consume pulses while the extent of consumption was influenced by their education levels, household sizes, households’ total expenditure on food and non-food and prices of pulses and meat. Household sizes, levels of education and sex of the main decision makers were found to have significant effects on the decision to consume pulses whereas the age and education levels, household sizes and household’s total expenditure were the main factors that influenced the extent of consumption in urban areas. In summary, the model showed that participation in pulses’ market was lower in rural than that in urban areas. However, the overall consumption was lower in urban than that in rural areas, implying that the prospect for increasing its consumption is higher in urban than that in rural areas. To increase the market share of pulses, traders should devise effective strategies to tap into the growing demand for pulses in urban areas. This strategy should be founded on thorough understanding of desired attributes of these products and purchasing power of different consumer groups

Comparative economic analysis of beekeeping using traditional and improved beehives in the Miombo woodlands of Tabora and Katavi regions, Tanzania

Huria Journal vol. 22The study was carried out in Tabora and Katavi regions in the miombo woodlands of Tanzania. The overall objective of the study was to undertake a comparative economic analysis of beekeeping using improved or traditional beehives. Data were collected from 198 beekeepers that were randomly selected from a sampling frame of 237 beekeepers using a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) along with budgetary analysis and profitability ratios. The findings revealed that improved beehives were more productive than traditional beehives, although both beekeeping systems were profitable ventures. However, beekeepers who used traditional beehives realized higher net farm income than those who used improved beehives. Return on investment was estimated to be 3.7% per shilling for beekeepers using traditional beehives against 1.3, 0.3 and 0.8% for those using Tanzania Top Bar, Box and Langstroth (improved beehives), respectively. The lower gains associated with improved beehives that are more productive than traditional ones, are most likely to be a result of failures within the market system to value and reward quality. Earnings for adopters of these productivity enhancing beehives could increase if new mechanisms that allow fair pricing of high-quality honey extracted from such beehives are instituted in local markets. These endeavours could be pioneered by relevant institution including local government and non-governmental organizations in respective areas

Comparative economic analysis of beekeeping using traditional and improved beehives in the Miombo woodlands of Tabora and Katavi regions, Tanzania

Huria Journal vol. 22The study was carried out in Tabora and Katavi regions in the miombo woodlands of Tanzania. The overall objective of the study was to undertake a comparative economic analysis of beekeeping using improved or traditional beehives. Data were collected from 198 beekeepers that were randomly selected from a sampling frame of 237 beekeepers using a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) along with budgetary analysis and profitability ratios. The findings revealed that improved beehives were more productive than traditional beehives, although both beekeeping systems were profitable ventures. However, beekeepers who used traditional beehives realized higher net farm income than those who used improved beehives. Return on investment was estimated to be 3.7% per shilling for beekeepers using traditional beehives against 1.3, 0.3 and 0.8% for those using Tanzania Top Bar, Box and Langstroth (improved beehives), respectively. The lower gains associated with improved beehives that are more productive than traditional ones, are most likely to be a result of failures within the market system to value and reward quality. Earnings for adopters of these productivity enhancing beehives could increase if new mechanisms that allow fair pricing of high-quality honey extracted from such beehives are instituted in local markets. These endeavours could be pioneered by relevant institution including local government and non-governmental organizations in respective areas

Women’s prospects to adopt enhanced freshness formulation (EFF) technologies for banana in Morogoro rural district, Tanzania

The Journal of the Faculty of Food and Agriculture Volume 95 Special Issue 1This paper draws lessons from a study based on forecasts rather than actual results. The study was conducted to identify factors that could potentially affect women’s decisions to adopt enhanced freshness formulation (EFF) technologies among banana growers in Morogoro, Tanzania. The study tested whether men and women were equally likely to adopt EFF technologies. The authors also explored whether women who are willing and able to influence adoption decisions and women who are willing but unable to influence adoption decisions face similar adoption challenges. The results from logit model suggest that the adoption prospect is lower among female adopters than male adopters (p < .05). The study predicted a higher probability of female growers to be willing and able to influence adoption decisions among younger female growers compared to those over 35 years old (p < .1) although the overall impact on the adoption rate was low, owing to limited participation of young farmers (11 %) in banana production. The findings reveal less willingness and ability to adopt the technologies among female growers who perceived EFF applications as labour-insensitive technologies (p < .05). Likewise, the study identified higher willingness and ability to influence the adoption among growers whose bananas were not about to be harvested (p < .05). The authors recommend continued efforts to address a priori challenges that can potentially undermine adoption with easy-to-use preparation and application methods, and by targeting growers whose fruits are at early stages of maturation. Future studies could focus on the potential impacts of specific types of EFF technologies on the adoption prospect

Pedological and soil fertility characteristics of striga infested soils under maize in Chunya and Iringa districts of Tanzania

Enhancing Dissemination of Soil and Water Research Outputs of SADC UniversitiesMaize yields in both Iringa and Chunya districts have been reported to be low due to infestation with Striga. A study was therefore conducted to characterize Striga infested soils and assess their fertility status under maize production in 6 villages of Chunya and Iringa districts. The soils of Iringa were classified as Cambisols and those of Chunya as Arenosols. The results further showed that, the majority of the soils were of sand to loamy sand texture. Such soils are well drained with low water holding capacity, conditions that favour Striga germination. The fertility status was established through physical and chemical analyses of the soils. One hundred and four composite soil samples were collected from the two districts. Laboratory analysis showed that most of the soils were acidic with pH ranging from 4.13 to 7.74 and low to medium cation exchange capacity (CEC). Organic carbon was low with a range of 0.01 to 0.07% while total N values were also low ranging from 0.028 to 0.86%. Phosphorus was low with few samples indicating medium values. Exchangeable bases were generally low with most soils having saturation values of < 50%. Overall, the soils are of low fertility status. The low fertility status and the sandy texture are possibly the cause of high Striga infestation and low maize yields in the two districts. The soils are of low productivity requiring improvement of their organic matter content and application of inorganic fertilizers if improved maize yields are to be realized. It is further recommended that tillage practices that improve the soil physical conditions be adopted, not only for greater maize yields but also as one of the strategies to control the Striga weed. Key words: fertility, maize, soil, strig

Women’s prospects to adopt enhanced freshness formulation (EFF) technologies for banana in Morogoro rural district, Tanzania

The Journal of the Faculty of Food and Agriculture Volume 95 Special Issue 1This paper draws lessons from a study based on forecasts rather than actual results. The study was conducted to identify factors that could potentially affect women’s decisions to adopt enhanced freshness formulation (EFF) technologies among banana growers in Morogoro, Tanzania. The study tested whether men and women were equally likely to adopt EFF technologies. The authors also explored whether women who are willing and able to influence adoption decisions and women who are willing but unable to influence adoption decisions face similar adoption challenges. The results from logit model suggest that the adoption prospect is lower among female adopters than male adopters (p < .05). The study predicted a higher probability of female growers to be willing and able to influence adoption decisions among younger female growers compared to those over 35 years old (p < .1) although the overall impact on the adoption rate was low, owing to limited participation of young farmers (11 %) in banana production. The findings reveal less willingness and ability to adopt the technologies among female growers who perceived EFF applications as labour-insensitive technologies (p < .05). Likewise, the study identified higher willingness and ability to influence the adoption among growers whose bananas were not about to be harvested (p < .05). The authors recommend continued efforts to address a priori challenges that can potentially undermine adoption with easy-to-use preparation and application methods, and by targeting growers whose fruits are at early stages of maturation. Future studies could focus on the potential impacts of specific types of EFF technologies on the adoption prospect

Pedological and soil fertility characteristics of striga infested soils under maize in Chunya and Iringa districts of Tanzania

Enhancing Dissemination of Soil and Water Research Outputs of SADC UniversitiesMaize yields in both Iringa and Chunya districts have been reported to be low due to infestation with Striga. A study was therefore conducted to characterize Striga infested soils and assess their fertility status under maize production in 6 villages of Chunya and Iringa districts. The soils of Iringa were classified as Cambisols and those of Chunya as Arenosols. The results further showed that, the majority of the soils were of sand to loamy sand texture. Such soils are well drained with low water holding capacity, conditions that favour Striga germination. The fertility status was established through physical and chemical analyses of the soils. One hundred and four composite soil samples were collected from the two districts. Laboratory analysis showed that most of the soils were acidic with pH ranging from 4.13 to 7.74 and low to medium cation exchange capacity (CEC). Organic carbon was low with a range of 0.01 to 0.07% while total N values were also low ranging from 0.028 to 0.86%. Phosphorus was low with few samples indicating medium values. Exchangeable bases were generally low with most soils having saturation values of < 50%. Overall, the soils are of low fertility status. The low fertility status and the sandy texture are possibly the cause of high Striga infestation and low maize yields in the two districts. The soils are of low productivity requiring improvement of their organic matter content and application of inorganic fertilizers if improved maize yields are to be realized. It is further recommended that tillage practices that improve the soil physical conditions be adopted, not only for greater maize yields but also as one of the strategies to control the Striga weed. Key words: fertility, maize, soil, strig