The impact of road transport on agricultural production: in Morogoro District, Tanzania
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Date
2008
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture.
Abstract
Tanzania economy depends much on agriculture as its main stay, but still rural farmers
suffer from poor road transport and high cost of transport of products to markets. Problems
in transport sector affect agricultural production in two ways. Firstly, the time and energy
spent on transport related activities reduce labour productivity because the transport
charges have led the price of fertilizers to be very high, hence reduces the profits which
labour could get. Secondly, increased market costs as a result of inadequate and poorly
maintained roads that are passed on to the farmers in terms of low farm -gate price. In
many food-growing areas, crops are carried in many kilometers by head to the assembly
markets or roadsides. Despite the efforts made by the government concerning road
transport, still there is inadequate agricultural production in rural areas. Because of this
structure of human settlement and production, road transport system assumes an
extraordinarily important role in the economic development of an area. The study evaluates
the impact of road transport on agricultural production. It was conducted at Mikese,
Kiroka, Kinole and Mkambarani wards located in Morogoro District. It involved 100
respondents who were household members; other participants include government officials
and political leaders. Data were collected through structured questionnaire as a major tool
for data collection. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyze
data. The results reveal transport improvements are thus critical for rural development and
poverty reduction. The link and impact lies in the fact that improved transportation
improves access to economic opportunities by reducing transport costs. It also ensures
increased agricultural productivity, opens up room for participation in non agricultural
activities through time saving effects, eases accessibility to markets and social services,
and links the rural sector to the rest of the economy.
Description
Dissertation
Keywords
Road transport, Agricultural production, Rural farmers, Cost of transpor, Fertilizers