Analysis of access to market information sources and farm level productivity: the case study of Kilosa and Mvomero Districts
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Date
2008
Authors
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Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between accessing market
information sources and farm level productivity to smallholder farmers in Kilosa and
Mvomero districts in Morogoro region. Specifically the study aimed at (i) identifying
market information sources in smallholder production system (ii) examine the relationship
between farm productivity and accessing market information sources (iii) examine factors
that influence farmers to access and use market information and (iv) harmonize types of
market information sources by farmers and farm product types. A cross sectional single
visit survey of 173 farmers from both Kilosa and Mvomero districts was done. Data were
collected using structured questionnaire from the sampled farmers and by reviewing
various secondary data from various sources. Data were analysed by descriptive statistics
analysis such as frequencies, mean, cross tabulations and percentages. Quantitative
statistics such as Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and multivariate linear regression
were used to determine relationship between farm productivity (output) and farmer’s
accessing market information sources. Finally the logistic regression was used to examine
factors that influence to access and use to market information sources. Results show that
majority (82.7%) of the farmers use friends/neighbours as information source. Other
sources include radio (68.2%) and traders (44.5%). In harmonizing market information
source by farmer and product types, sugarcane was ranked as number one in terms of
yield, reliable market and price information accessibility followed by sunflower, maize,
rice and lastly simsim. Productivity (output) index was tested against the farmer’s access
to market information sources. The results showed that 56.5% of farmers who have
accessed market information were found in low productivity index while 97.1% who did
not accessed market information sources were found in high productivity index, hence
there was significant relationship (P < 0.05) between household farm productivity index
and accessing information sources. Linear regression results showed that there is positive
relationship between farm size and farm output while labour intensity was negatively
associated with farm output. In addition, education, farm size and radio ownership
influenced farmers to use and access market information. Based on the study findings, we
recommend that some of the problems experienced by market participants in accessing
market information can be solved by improving institutional and organizational
arrangements, localization of market information, improving means of delivering market
information and by promoting market information dissemination.
Description
The Degree of Master of Science (Agricultural Economics)
Keywords
Market information source, Farm level productivity, Accessing market information sources, Smallholder production system, Use market information, Kilosa District, Mvomero District