AN ANALYSIS OF HOUSEHOLD FOOD EXPENDITURE SYSTEMS IN TANZANIA

This paper analyzes urban and rural food consumption in Tanzania using the Generalized Translog (GTL) expenditure system. We reject a pooled model in favor of two separate urban and rural models. Results indicate that subsistence consumption has significant effect on food demand in rural areas, but it is less important in urban areas. Hence, ignoring differences between urban and rural regions can lead to incorrect inferences and policy recommendations.Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety,

Consumer Perception of Sorghum Variety Attributes in the Lake Zone Tanzania

Many sorghum varieties have been developed by research institutes in an effort to address food security problems in the semi-arid areas of Tanzania. Although sorghum is better adapted to drier areas than maize, farmer adoption rates for sorghum varieties are always lower than that of maize. In addition, maize based food is more acceptable to urban consumers than sorghum based food. In this study consumer evaluated quality attributes of sorghum ugali based on different varieties in order to determine marketing potential relating to the different improved sorghum varieties. A total of 231 consumers, randomly selected from urban and rural areas participated in a food panel to evaluate ugali prepared from five sorghum varieties (three improved, two local). Conjoint analysis was used to determine consumer perceptions of the variety attributes, while a logistic model was applied to determine preference ranking of different varieties. The results indicated that the color and taste of sorghum ugali were the most important criteria used by consumers to evaluate the quality ugali. The study results indicated that sorghum ugali with white/khaki color and the majority of panel participants preferred neutral or slightly sweet taste. Consumers from rural and urban areas accepted two improved varieties; only consumers from rural areas accepted the remaining variety.Adoption, consumer perception, conjoint analysis, sorghum varieties, Tanzania, Agricultural and Food Policy, Consumer/Household Economics, Demand and Price Analysis, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Food Security and Poverty, Marketing, Productivity Analysis, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies,

AN ANALYSIS OF HOUSEHOLD FOOD EXPENDITURE SYSTEMS IN TANZANIA

This paper analyzes urban and rural food consumption in Tanzania using the Generalized Translog (GTL) expenditure system. We reject a pooled model in favor of two separate urban and rural models. Results indicate that subsistence consumption has significant effect on food demand in rural areas, but it is less important in urban areas. Hence, ignoring differences between urban and rural regions can lead to incorrect inferences and policy recommendations

Consumer Perception of Sorghum Variety Attributes in the Lake Zone Tanzania

Many sorghum varieties have been developed by research institutes in an effort to address food security problems in the semi-arid areas of Tanzania. Although sorghum is better adapted to drier areas than maize, farmer adoption rates for sorghum varieties are always lower than that of maize. In addition, maize based food is more acceptable to urban consumers than sorghum based food. In this study consumer evaluated quality attributes of sorghum ugali based on different varieties in order to determine marketing potential relating to the different improved sorghum varieties. A total of 231 consumers, randomly selected from urban and rural areas participated in a food panel to evaluate ugali prepared from five sorghum varieties (three improved, two local). Conjoint analysis was used to determine consumer perceptions of the variety attributes, while a logistic model was applied to determine preference ranking of different varieties. The results indicated that the color and taste of sorghum ugali were the most important criteria used by consumers to evaluate the quality ugali. The study results indicated that sorghum ugali with white/khaki color and the majority of panel participants preferred neutral or slightly sweet taste. Consumers from rural and urban areas accepted two improved varieties; only consumers from rural areas accepted the remaining variety

Dryland cereals and Household Food Security in Tanzania: Potential and Constraints of Improved Sorghum Cultivars

More than one third of the population in Africa is still facing undernourishment and malnutrition. While poor and food-insecure people are most often living in unfavourable agricultural zones, such as semi-arid areas, only few studies have assessed the potential of well adapted dryland cereals to contribute to local food security. Here, we analyze the case of sorghum in Tanzania, and particularly focus on the role of improved sorghum cultivars. Using survey data from smallholder farmers and econometric techniques, we show that sorghum contributes to the food supply of a household. Despite the promise of higher yields and better resistance of improved sorghum cultivars to some biotic and abiotic stresses, adoption rates are, however, still low. Our results indicate that access to information and diversified networks constitute serious adoption constraints. National extension systems are a major bottleneck in overcoming such constraints