Browsing by Author "Lifa, Davis Dunstan Dunduzi"

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    Cashewnut production and transport in Masasi district
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 1978) Lifa, Davis Dunstan Dunduzi
    Cashewnut is the main cash crop in Masasi District, for the past Five years there has been decreasing production inspite of government campaigns to increase the output of cashew nuts. The officials explain this phenomenon in terms of: the incidence of bad weather in some years, villagization pragramme as well as poor husbandry practices. However there is a feeling on the part of peasants and some officials that decreased production is a result of low prices paid to the producers. Masasi District is beset with transport problems. Often - times the agricultural produce remain uncollected from the villages for months. Transport is one of the items, on CATA expenses, which. shows an increased expenditure. Poor condition of the roads, lack of vehicles, maintenance problems due to poor roads and lack of repair facilities and lack of spare parts, all these problems lead to high transport costs. Because of the poor road condition the vehicles have to travel at low speed, while at the same time they have only half load of their capacity. It is shown that transport costs are a major factor in cashew nut production. But increased costs of transport can be reduced. It is suggested that there are economical means of improving road maintenance which would lead to reduced costs of operating vehicles. Furthermore, it is suggested that if the money saved from the reduced transport costs could be passed to the producers in terms of increased prices, this would act as an incentive on the peasants to increase acreage and practice good husbandry which would lead to increased production.