Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Collection

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    Production efficiency among smallholder arabica coffee farmers in Buhigwe and Kigoma districts, Tanzania
    (Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2014) ANDREW,ROGERS
    Coffee is one of the most important export commodities in Buhigwe and Kigoma districts. Unfortunately, production is still low and information on technical efficiency has remained a scarce. This study sets out to contribute to the efforts of improving coffee productivity to enhance cash income of smallholder Arabica coffee farmers in Buhigwe and Kigoma districts, Tanzania. To achieve its objective, the present study estimates the Technical Efficiency (TE) and inefficiency effects using single stage Maximum Likelihood Estimation. Additionally, it uses gross margin to determine profitability whereas descriptive statistics to assess contribution of coffee production to household cash income and challenges facing smallholder coffee farmers in various economic activities. The results show that the mean TE index is 68% and number of coffee trees and farming experience being the key factors affecting TE. Moreover, the results show that, coffee production is profitable with the mean gross margin of TZS 730/tree and contributes about 39% of total household cash income. Input prices, taxes and other deductions, shortage of extension services, unreliable markets and low coffee price, low quality of coffee, transportation and delayed payment delay are significantly reported by respondents as challenges face coffee production. The present study farmers are technically inefficient and there is a 32% scope for increasing TE. Number of coffee trees, experience and education level are the management levels that influence TE. Coffee production is profitable and contributes to household income and hence useful in reducing poverty. The study recommends deliberate education on farm expansion and engaging youth in production to improve TE. Interventions on supply of new coffee varieties, prices, taxes, extension services, quality, transport and delayed payment delay and economic activities diversifications are crucial to enhance farmers' income
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    Evaluation of individual level access to formal financial services: a case study of Morogoro region Tanzania
    (Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2007) Seluhinga, Nicetus Simon
    This study was conducted to evaluate individual level access to formal financial services in Tanzania. The study entailed surveys conducted in three districts of Morogoro Region. Namely, Morogoro Municipality, Morogoro Rural and Kilosa. Specifically the study had four objectives which were (a) to describe the general issues as to why access to formal financial services is important to economic development and social perspectives.(b) to establish the proportion of adult population which have access to various types of formal financial services, (c) to identify socio economic factors that influence the access to formal financial services in the research area(d) to suggest the possible interventions for improvement of access to formal financial services. The study is based on 120 respondents. Multistage random sampling was employed to select interviewees in the study area. The data were coded and analyzed with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) computer software. Data analysis entailed a number of descriptive statistics including frequencies, cross tabulations and Chi- square tests. A binary logit regression model, which tested the effects or influence of socio economic factors on access to formal financial services, was used. Results showed that socio economic factors such as age, income, education, occupation and distance to formal financial institutions affect the access and use of formal financial services (P< 0.05). The study has also revealed that savings services are popular therefore used by the majority of adult population, followed by transaction services, credit, then insurance services. In addition, the study found that cost of services, ignorance, low income were among the reasons mentioned by the respondents as hindering access to formal financial services in the research area. Based on the study findings, the study recommendsiii effective linkages between financial institutions in order to increase the proportion of people with financial access, capacity building to financial institutions, improving infrastructure, improving condition and quality of financial services and to offer finance education to the people.
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    Economic analysis of improved banana cultivars production in Tanzania. A case study of Rungwe, Mvomero and Mkuranga districts
    (Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2009) NDUNGURU,AGNESS ALEX
    A study was carried out to assess the profitability of improved banana cultivars in Rungwe, Mvomero and Mkuranga districts. Specifically, the study aimed at comparing benefits of improved versus non improved banana cultivars production, determining the contribution of banana enterprise to total household income, assessing the factors that influence banana household income, assessing the changes in gender roles in improved banana farming system and suggesting the system of distributing new cultivars and clean planting materials to farmers. Data for the study were collected from a sample of 120 farmers; purposive sampling method was used to select the study villages. Cost Benefit and Regression analyses were employed in this study. Study results showed that, NPV was positive and higher on improved cultivar in comparison to non improved cultivars by Tsh 4 429 504 , CB ratio was greater than one though higher in improved cultivars by 3.3 , and IRR was greater than the opportunity cost of capital in both cultivars 16% per acre at 12% discount factor. Regression results in the three districts showed that age, education, gender, farm size, household size and number of extension visits per household were positively related to banana income, while, marital status was inversely related. However, there were no significant differences in contribution of banana income among the three districts. Gender role and decision making results indicate that no changes in these roles were observed among the three districts. To improve distribution of clean planting materials, it is suggested that, contact farmers should provide these cultivars to other farmers and establishment of more demonstration plots as sources of planting materials. Based on profitability of banana technologies, the study recommends the adoption of improved banana technology and the replication of this innovation to other areas with similar characteristics, as an approach towards poverty reduction.
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    The impact of microfinance institutions on performance of microenterprises and house hold welfare: a case of Mufindi community bank, Iringa region
    (Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2005) MHIMBA,FESTO MODESTUS
    Recently, development practitioners have come to realize that the poor of the poorest can indeed make effective use of credit to raise their income and get access to many welfare indicators such as food and other necessities. But knowledge about the achievements of such initiatives, though are of interest to many stakeholders, remains undocumented in many parts of the world. This study, therefore, was an attempt to assess the impact of credits administered by Mufindi Community Bank (MuCoBa) on performance of micro enterprises and improvement of the household welfare. Specific objectives were to: (i) establish micro enterprises profile in the District, (ii) evaluate the impact of credits on micro-enterprises performance and market participation, (iii) assess the impact of credits on household welfare, and (iv) assess factors that would enhance impact of Mufindi Community Bank’s credit on beneficiaries. Cross-sectional surveys were conducted to collect primary data from 151 respondents of whom 88 were credit participants, 35 had qualified to get credit but had yet to start and 28 had secured credits for farm activities. Semi-structured and structured questionnaires were used. Secondary data were secured from the bank and government offices. The bank provides credit to support legally existing economic enterprises that should have been in operation more than a year. For easy interpretation of data, descriptive and quantitative analytical techniques were employed. Common types of enterprises identified are petty trade/utility services, agro marketing and manufacturing/artisans. The findings indicate a statistically significant difference (p<0.0001) between credit participants and non-participants in terms of average annual profit, available working capital arid value of selected durables of household assets. It is noteworthy report here that start up capital, initialiii credit, available working capital, family size, type of enterprise and monthly turnover affected positively the performances (profit) of the enterprises. Also, credit beneficiaries were able to employ (40%), access distant markets (18%), acquire high value household assets and improved their diets (14.4%) comparatively to non­ beneficiaries. The differences in enterprise performance observed suggest that credits are important to improve performance of micro-enterprises and hence household welfare. However, nature of collaterals, high borrowing transaction costs and interest rates suggest that the bank has replaced the commercial ones referring to the objectives of the bank. Hence, its impact on welfare indicators is very marginal, and equally important, the rural poor of the poorest have been excluded from borrowing. It is evident from the findings that flexibility of the bank through revising of their policies would be necessary to reach more farmers and small entrepreneurs by encouraging saving and attracting borrowers. The government should continue to support micro-finance institutions such as Mufmdi Community Bank through capitation and maintained rural roads for comprehensive outreach.
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    Entrepreneurship in economic development
    (ENCOSTOR, 2008) Wim ,Naude
    What is the role of entrepreneurship in economic development? At a minimum the answer should be able to explain the role of entrepreneurs in the structural transformation of countries from low income, primary-sector based societies into high-income service and technology based societies. More broadly though, it should also be able to explain the role of entrepreneurs in the opposite pole of stagnating development (including conflict) and in high innovation-driven growth. Although economic development lacks a ‘general theory’ of entrepreneurship, which could encompass a variety of development experiences, much progress has been made in extending the understanding of entrepreneurship in the process of development. This paper surveys the progress with the purpose of distilling the outlines for a more general theory of entrepreneurship in economic development. Entrepreneurship in developing countries remains a relatively under-researched phenomenon, so by surveying the current state of research, and by discussing the role of entrepreneurship in dual economy models of structural transformation and growth, a secondary objective of this paper is to identify avenues for further research. Finally, the policy implications from the economic literature suggest that a case for government support exists, and that this should focus on the quantity, the quality, and the allocation of entrepreneurial ability. Many routinely adopted policies for entrepreneurship, such as provision of credit and education, are shown to have more subtle effects, not all of which are conducive to growth-enhancing entrepreneurship.
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    Malnutrition and desease
    (Freedom from Hunger Campaign, 1963) WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATIO
    The first half of the twentieth century has witnessed three major revolutions. The political revolution has given self-government to nearly a third of the world's population and has brought their aspirations for a better life to the forefront of world attention. The revolution in communications has broken down the barriers of distance and language, and the dynamism of ideas can no longer be contained within the limits dictated by social privilege or political considerations. The demographic revolution has imparted to the challenge of poverty and want a new dimension.
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    Effects of Agricultural Reforms on The Agricultural Sector in Nigeria
    (Journal of African Studies and Development, 2011-11-12) Ugwu, D. S; Kanu, I. O
    The various economic reform strategies undertaken by governments over a period of about three decades on the agricultural sector in Nigeria were the exploitative strategy, agricultural project strategy, direct production strategy and integrated rural development strategy. Overall, these economic reform strategies were geared toward the achievement of food self-sufficiency and food security, generation of gainful employment, increased production of raw materials for industries, increased production and processing of export crops, rational utilization of agricultural technologies for the improvement of life of its citizens. These strategies notwithstanding, government also pursued other on-going initiatives to step-up agricultural development across the country. The effects of economic reforms on the agricultural sector was examined alongside its fundamental roles of food security, supply of raw materials to industries ,provision of market, employment and foreign exchange as well as generation of savings for investment in agriculture and other sectors. Agriculture contributed minimally during the period in terms of output, market, foreign exchange and capital formation or transfer as a result of policy instability, poor coordination of policies, poor implementation and mismanagement of policy instruments and lack of transparency. It is recommended that an enduring genuine democracy and good governance should be allowed to thrive in Nigeria in order to achieve poverty reduction, sustainable livelihood and food security which will guarantee comprehensive economic development and attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
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    The traditional homegarden agroforestry system of Bukoba, Tanzania:
    (Sokoine University of Agriculture, 1992) Rugalema,Gabriel H.R
    A socio-economic study was carried out in the Kyamtwara division in Bukoba District, Tanzania. The objectives were: to describe the homegarden agroforestry system found in Bukoba district, to investigate the nature and magnitude of constraints of the farming system and to do a farm economic analysis of possible alternatives to counter falling productivity. Descriptive statistics, statistics, linear regression and one way analysis of variance were the methods used to analyze the data. In the linear regression model banana and coffee yield were dependent (predictor variables) whereas homegarden size, hired labour, cattle keeping, and household size were independent variables. It was found that homegarden productivity has significantly declined over the years due to; decline in soil fertility and cattle population, outbreak of banana pests and diseases, increase in human population and lack of cash. Economically, it was found more profitable to rehabilitate the homegarden by reintroducing cattle rather than shift to a completely new farming system based on annual cropping. Further research into soil fertility restoration, pests and disease management and other aspects of the farming system, is proposed.
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    Cash crop versus food crop production in Tanzania: An assessment of the major Post-colonial trends
    (Sokoine University of Agriculture, 1985) Odegaard,Knut
    In the less developed countries CLDCs) a substantial share of the output produced in the agricultural sector is con­ sumed directly on the farm. This share is commonly termed subsistence consumption. The difference between total out­ put and subsistence consumption constitutes the marketed- from agriculture. In a country dominated by an agricultural sector, the growth of this surplus not only poses a constraint on the rate of structural transformation of the economy by being the main source of food supply for the non-agricultural population, but it is also the major source of investment funding, the size of which of course will also have a decisive bearing on the rate of economic growth and development that can be achieved. Some writers on economic development even argue that the presence of an agricultural surplus is a precondition for economic deve­ lopment .1 In this study we shall concentrate on identifying the factors that have governed the development of the size and the composition of the marketed surplus. In particular the composition of the marketed surplus in terms of cash crop? and food crops will be in focus. (Definitions of these two categories of crops follows shortly.) A main thesis of the study is that Tanzania should concentrate more on cash crop production than has been the case during the last fifteen years, i.e. that a change of policy in the suggested direc­ tion will have positive effects on trade, employment, in­ come and capital formation. In this introductory chapter we seek to provide a framework for the analysis. This will do by (1) giving a brief ac­ count of the nature of the constraint posed by the marketed surplus from agriculture on economic development, (2) pro­ viding some definitional terms that are of central im-2 portance for the study, and (3) giving a short presentation of Tanzania’s resources, farming structure and economic structure.
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    Linking rural entrepreneurs to financial services: a case of private agriculture sector support (pass) LTD
    (Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2007) Mkumbo, Mganzwa
    The provision of credit has increasingly been regarded as an important tool for raising the incomes of rural populations, mainly by mobilizing available natural resources to more productive uses. The rural population has for many years been serviced by the informal financial sector. Meyer and Nagajaran (2000) define informal financial sector as including farmer credit from traders, input suppliers, moneylenders, friends and relatives and Rotating and Saving Credit associations (ROSCAs), which are not supervised by the national financial authorities. This informal sector work on loan advances in short term deferred payment system. The credit is advanced to farmers by any of the above mentioned informal service providers and the repayment is usually in form of crops produced upon harvest. Since many farmers3 can't afford to store their produce due to cash requirements, receive poor payments, which do not enable them to retain enough proceeds to facilitate the next planting season. In the recent past, there has been an increased tendency to support agriculture aimed at formation of small-scale agribusinesses. Braverman and Guasch (1986) found that despite the efforts to overcome the widespread lack of credit facilities, especially among smallholders, and the expansion of credit in the rural areas of poor countries, the majority still have only limited access to credit services to support their operations. Seeing this prospect the Private Agricultural Sector Support (PASS) was established under the Agriculture Sector Programme Support (ASPS) Programme (funded by DAN1DA) in 2000 with the aim of bridging this gap by providing financial linkage and business development services to the rural entrepreneurs. These services aim at promoting rural agribusiness by linking the agribusiness men /women to the banking services (URT, 2003). This research paper was aimed at examining the effectiveness of the PASS objectives with the view of establishing their role in determining the access of rural small-scale farmers to financial services.
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    The economics of resource use under the traditional farming system in Kondoa district : the case of Bereko division
    (Sokoine University of Agriculture, 1993) Mwenda, Mashaka Salum Jila
    The study attempts to investigate the economics of Traditional Farming Systems (TFS) in Bereko division by .identifying the physical, technical and policy factors shaping this TFS. In addition the study attempts to determine the likely adjustments of the system given some changes in factors to be identified in the Traditional Farming system. To analyse the system a multiple regression model was developed for all major crops and two individual crops - maize, and fingermillet. The results revealed that there is a positive relationship between output and available resources (of land, labour and capital), and cropping practices. The results also show that there is a negative relationship in relation to technology used. This means that by adding (or improving) the existing resource and cropping practices productivity will increase in the study area. In order to determine the likely adjustments in the system a LP model was developed for the typical crop mixture in the study area. From the basic model changes (adjustments) were effected in respect to technology, price and cropping practices where improved technology and price changes were tested. The analysis revealed that there is a possibility of increasing agricultural productivity and output and hence income by effecting some changes in technology and other institutional factors. The results also justify that policy reforms on credit facilities and pricing systems will bring some changes to smallholder farmers in Bereko Division. The results from this study suggest that proper farm management and planning in the form of comprehensive farm plans proper information and workable policies, is needed in the area. These will help to improve the incomes hence living standards of the smallholder farmers.
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    Compliance level and stability of micronutrients in fortified maize flour in Tanzania
    (HINDAWI, 2024-02-22) Zacharia, Abdulsudi Issa; Mareni, Gudila Boniface
    Maize flour fortification was introduced in Tanzania in 2011 to address the risk of micronutrient deficiency to children, adolescents, and women of childbearing age. Fortified maize flours are processed by small-scale processors who are exempted from mandatory fortification. The current study is aimed at assessing the compliance and stability of fortified processed maize flour with zinc, iron, and folic acid by small-scale processors in comparison to the recommended Tanzania national standards (TZS 328). A total of 69 samples of fortified maize flour were collected at the point of production and retail outlets in Dar es Salaam and Morogoro municipalities, Tanzania. Micronutrients (zinc and iron) were analysed using microwave plasma atomic emission spectrometry (MP-AES), and folic acid was analysed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The mean concentrations of micronutrient were significantly (p < 0 05) higher at the production site compared to the retail outlet. The amount of iron, zinc, and folic acid in the samples at the production site was 27 17 ± 1 63 mg/kg, 30 56 ± 2 01 mg/kg, and 0 69 ± 0 02 mg/kg, respectively, while it was 19 34 ± 0 97 mg/kg, 21 71 ± 1 50 mg/kg, and 0 49 ± 0 02 mg/kg for iron, zinc, and folic acid, respectively, at the retail outlets. Only 31.6% of the assessed samples from production and 12.9% from retail outlets complied with the recommended national standard. The stability of iron, zinc, and folic acid for the fortified maize flour stored at room temperature (20-32°C) for six months was 95.8%, 96.9%, and 66.9%, respectively. Further investigation on the consistency performance of the dosifier and consistency training of working in the processing unit on the requirements of fortification standards should be done.
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    Status and trends in the international wildlife trade in Chameleons with a focus on Tanzania
    (PLOS ONE, 2024-05-16) Isaac Maxim Conrad; Burgess Neil D.; Tallowin Oliver J. S.; Pavitt Alyson T.; Kadigi Reuben M. J.; Ract Claire
    Chameleons (family Chamaeleonidae) are a distinctive group of reptiles, mainly found in Africa, which have high local endemism and face significant threats from the international wildlife trade. We review the scale and structure of international chameleon trade, with a focus on collection in and exports from Tanzania; a hotspot of chameleon diversity. Analysis used data from the CITES Trade Database 2000–2019, combined with assessment of online trade, and on-the-ground surveys in Tanzania in 2019. Between 2000 and 2019, 1,128,776 live chameleons from 108 species were reported as exported globally, with 193,093 of these (from 32 species) exported by Tanzania. Both global and Tanzanian cha- meleon exports declined across the study period, driven by decreased trade in generalist genera. Whilst the proportion of captive-bred individuals increased across time for the gen- eralist taxa, the majority of range-restricted taxa in trade remained largely wild-sourced. For Tanzanian exports, 41% of chameleons were from one of the 23 endemic species, and 10 of the 12 Tanzanian endemic species in trade are categorised as threatened with extinction by IUCN. In terms of online trade, of the 42 Tanzanian species assessed, there was evi- dence of online sale for 83.3% species, and 69% were actively for sale with prices listed. Prices were on average highest for Trioceros species, followed by Kinyongia, Rieppeleon, Rhampholeon, and Chameleo. Field work in Tanzania provided evidence that the historic harvest of endemic chameleon species has been higher than the quantities of these species reported as exported by Tanzania in their annual trade reports to CITES. However, we found no field evidence for trade in 2020 and 2021, in line with Tanzanian regulations that applied a blanket ban on all exports of live wild animals. Literature evidence, however, sug- gests that illegal trade continued to Europe from seizures of Tanzanian chameleon species in Austria in 2021.
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    Regulatory performance of tourist hunting and legal game meat trade in Tanzania
    (Academic Conferences International Limited Curtis Farm, Kidmore End, Nr Reading, RG4 9AY, United Kingdom, 2024-03) Kadigi Reuben M. J.
    Recently, the government of Tanzania has legalized the sale of game meat under special rules namely the Wildlife Conservation (Game Meat Selling) Regulations of 2020 as an effort to curb illegal hunting. The regulations mention tourist hunting as one of the sources of commercial game meat. Other sources include resident hunting; wildlife farms/ranches/zoos; and culling, cropping, and control of problem animals. In this paper we examine the performance of tourist hunting, legal game meat in the country, and its regulatory framework from the perspectives of key stakeholders, including both public and private or non-state stakeholders. We use a variant of Likert’s methods of summated ratings and the cumulative ordinal regression model to analyse and compare the opinions of stakeholders. We found that there are still challenges, especially related to sources of wild animals. Operators of game meat facilities find it difficult to source game meat from tourist hunting companies and the latter are not willing to offer the meat to licensed operators of game meat shops. Our results support the hypothesis that authorization of the game meat trade can serve as one of the boldest conservation tools to mitigate illegal poaching if well-planned and regulated. The results of the cumulative ordinal regression model predict an improvement of 42% in the performance of regulatory framework per unit improvement in the procedures for application and registration of game meat selling facilities (p = 0.010). The paper recommends leveraging stakeholders' active engagement and strengthening cooperation between game meat value chain actors and law-enforcement authorities. An innovative participatory model for enforcing game meat sanitary and safety regulations is also recommended to avoid potential health risks to consumers. It underscores the importance of institutional capacity building, awareness creation, and adequate funding in the fight against illegal hunting and game meat trade. In order for the country to be able to achieve sustainable game meat trade in the country, the challenge of limited wild animal sources has to be addressed, possibly by supporting the establishment of privately owned wild animal farms, ranches, and zoos, this also has its own challenges that need to be addressed too.
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    Factors affecting profitability of rice farming under rainfed and supplementally irrigated regimes in Malinyi Tanzania
    (The College of Economics and Business Studies, Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2022) Kazungu P.; Kadigi R. M. J.
    Using a double log model, this paper shows the percentage change in farmer Gross Profits (GPs) due to percentage change in independent variables. It therefore captures the magnitude of the impact that coefficient estimates have on GP. Farmer GPs were regressed against farm size, extension services, and agricultural credits, mode of grain storage, final output, and irrigation regime. Findings from the regression analysis show that extension services, grain storage, final output, and irrigation regimes were significant at 0.005 level of significance. With a p-value of 0.000, irrigation regime had the most influence on gross profit, whereby having access to irrigation water increased profit by 40.17%, ceteris paribus. At 0.005 level of significance, extension services, grain storage and final output had p- values of 0.001, 0.001, and 0.000 respectively and are positively influencing profit by 16.35%, 16.02%, and 29.13% respectively. We recommend communal-based Irrigation agriculture as a holistic approach in the minimization of weather-related risks. More education is needed on proper grain storage to ensure rice quality which is a huge determinant of price and profit.
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    The role of avocado production and trade in major producing Districts, Tanzania: Income inequality decomposition approach
    (Scientific Research Publishing Inc., 2023-09-29) Boniphace John; Kadigi Reuben M. J.; Kangile Joseph R.
    This paper investigates whether the production of avocado for the export trade is an income inequality decreasing source of livelihood of producers in Tanzania or not using the evidence from the Hai and Rungwe districts. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire from avocado producers in the study areas. The Gini decomposition technique was employed to ana- lyse the nature and source of income inequality amongst the avocado pro- ducers in the study areas. The results of the analysis showed that, on average 34% of the total household income was derived from production of avocados for export. The Gini decomposition analysis revealed an income inequality index of 0.748 for the pooled sample. The Gini index for avocado production was 0.537. The study also showed that avocado production for export trade was the increasing source of income inequality in the study areas with a rela- tive concentration of 0.794 and 0.9944 in gini decomposition and coefficient of variation respectively. Gini decomposition and coefficient of variation re- veal salary to be the most inequality-increasing source of income in the study areas. The production of avocados for exportation provides not only addi- tional income but also improves the living standards of smallholder farmers, and it narrows their income gaps. We recommend the promotion and scaling up of the production of avocados as one of the key economic activities that would help tackle the problem of income inequality in rural areas suitable for the production of Hass avocadoes for export in the country.
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    Profitability of Avocado Production for Export Trade amongst the Smallholder Farmers in Rungwe and Hai Districts, Tanzania
    (Scientific Research Publishing Inc., 2023-11-28) Boniphace John; Kadigi Reuben M. J.; Kangile Joseph R.
    The growth of an investment with perfect cash flow is the aim of every inves- tor. Avocado is emerging as one of the important “new export crops” in de- veloping countries and smallholder farmers are expected to benefit enorm- ously from the production and selling of the crop. Based on this proposition a study was conducted to investigate the profitability of avocado production among the smallholder farmers in Hai and Rungwe districts in Tanzania. The study employed a multistage random sampling method to select the sample households and primary data were collected from 120 smallholder farmers producing avocado for exportation. The Cost and Benefit Analysis (CBA) approach was employed to analyse the viability of avocado production in the study areas. Specifically, the Net Present Value (NPV), Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR), and Internal Rate of Return (IRR) were used as metrics of economic viability. These metrics were calculated using the discounted rate of the Bank of Tanzania (BoT) for fixed accounts. The study findings suggest that the production of avocado for exportation yielded high NPV, BCR, and IRR. Its IRR ranged from 11.11% to 14.60% which was far higher than the BoT rate for fixed accounts of 2.16% indicating that the investment in avocado pro- duction for foreign trade was economically viable.
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    Can a legal game meat trade in Tanzania lead to reduced poaching? Perceptions of stakeholders in the wildlife industry
    (Elsevier GmbH, 2023) Kadigi Reuben M.J.; Mgeni Charles Peter; Kangile Joseph Rajabu; Aku Aika Okting’ati; Kimaro Prisca
    This paper evaluates stakeholders’ perceptions about authorisation of the game meat trade as a solution to poaching in Tanzania. It respectively uses a variant of “Likert’s method of summated ratings” and the “cumu- lative ordinal regression model” to analyse and compare the opinions of government officials and non-state stakeholders about the performance of the recent regulatory framework governing game meat trade in the country. The results support the assertion that the authorisation of the game meat trade can be one of the boldest conservation tools to mitigate poaching if well-planned and regulated. The results of cumulative ordinal regression model suggest that a unit improvement in the procedures for the application and registration of game meat selling facilities is likely to improve the performance of the regulatory framework in the country by about 42%. This result was statistically significant at a p-value of 0.010, which corresponds to a 99% confidence level. We recommend leveraging stakeholders’ active engagement and strengthening cooperation between game meat value chain actors and law-enforcement authorities. An innovative participatory model for enforcing game meat sanitary and safety regulations is also recommended to avoid potential health risks to consumers. We underscore the importance of institutional capacity building, awareness creation, and adequate funding in the fight against poaching and bushmeat trade.
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    Do communities understand the impacts of unlawful bushmeat hunting and trade? Insights from villagers bordering Western Nyerere National Park Tanzania
    (Elsevier B.V., 2023-07-05) Foya Yohani R.; Mgeni Charles P.; Kadigi Reuben M. J.; Kimaro Michael H.; Hassan Shombe N
    Assessing local people’s understanding of the consequences of unsustainable bushmeat-related activities on conservation is an important step toward developing effective solutions to decrease unlawful hunting activities. The current study investigated the knowledge regarding the ecological and socioeconomic impacts of illegal bushmeat activities among villagers adjacent to western Nyerere National Park Tanzania. The two terminologies i.e., “hunting” and “trade” were collectively used herein as “bushmeat trade”. We collected data from 261 households and 24 key informants using a semi-structured questionnaire and an interview guide, respectively. Results show that 84% of local residents know that bushmeat trade directly threatens wildlife by reducing the population of hunted species. Nearly half of the respondents also appreciate the benefits of wildlife conservation. Regarding the trend of bushmeat trade in the study area, the majority (80%) of the respondents stated that the activity is decreasing. Moreover, the study revealed that the knowledge variation regarding the impacts of bushmeat trade is significantly influenced by education level, age and proximity to the park boundaries. Interventions aimed at addressing the illegal bushmeat trade should consider demographic factors and ensure that conservation pro- grammes are extended to both nearby and distant villages from the park boundaries for enhanced and impactful results.
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    Determinants and competitiveness of rice export in Tanzania: A vector error correction model
    (Research Gate, 2023-09-14) Luhwago W.; Damas P.; Dadigi R.; Mgeni C.; Kangile R.
    The rice export industry in Tanzania is seemingly performing poorly despite the country being the leading rice producer amongst the East African Community (EAC) member states. The extensive government interventions which have occurred in the industry and the existence of inward-looking trade policies such as the Common External Tariff within EAC would have resulted in increased rice exports especially, through the intra-regional trade, however this has remained more of an oratorical rather than practical attainment the reasons for which are not known with certainty. This paper is an attempt to fill this knowledge gap. The paper investigates the determinants of rice exports in Tanzania. Specifically, it examines the influence of price and non-price factors on rice exports and assesses the competitiveness of Tanzanian rice in the EAC export market. The paper uses secondary data obtained from government institutions and other international data repositories. The Vector Error Correction Model is used to capture the dynamics of rice export in Tanzania and the competitiveness of rice exported is assessed using the Revealed Comparative Advantage Model. The results show that real exchange rates, international rice prices, quantity produced and the average GDP per capita of the main importers of Tanzania rice in EAC were the key determinants of rice export performance though the commodity was found to be less competitive within the EAC and neighboring countries such as Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique which also import rice from Tanzanian. To improve rice export performance and enhance competitiveness, the country should increase production to take advantage of existing demand for rice from EAC countries and other neighboring countries.