Browsing by Author "Mhando, Frank Clement"

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    The study of factors influencing rice marketing in Madibira small holders’ agricultural development project
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2002) Mhando, Frank Clement
    The smallholders’ rice irrigation schemes started functioning at national level since 1980. Among these schemes is the Madibira Smallholders’ Agricultural Development Project (MSADP). Very little information about rice marketing in this project is available. The general research objective of this study is to determine the factors influencing rice marketing in MSADP. On the other hand, the specific objectives are to determine the quantity and quality of rice produced, to determine the market channels and preference of the smallholder farmers on those market channels, to identify the factors influencing rice price as well as to determine if there is any promotion being done by the smallholder farmers. Paddy produced by each respondent farmer range between 10 to 75 bags. The total number of bags produced by all respondents is 3,713. A total of 551 bags were sold as rice after paddy had been processed. The majority of respondents (78%) sold their paddy without processing it, 13% sold rice while 9% sold in both paddy and rice forms. Only 3% of the respondent farmers use the project’s modem rice mill. The majority of interviewed farmers (77%) used private traders channels, 20% of them sold their product at the markets located outside Madibira. 3% sold directly to consumers. MAMCOs did not purchase any paddy in 2001/02 season due to lack of capital, among other reasons, paddy fetched lower prices for a given variety compared to the rice sold. The study reveals that little formal promotion is done. MAMCOS must search for various potential buyers; furthermore, rice selling centres should be established at Madibira and Mafinga; a marketing information centre should also be established; strategic promotions have to be done the project should see the possibility of selling rice to Zanzibar and export some to foreign countries; the project area should be readily accessible through road improvements and introduction of telephone, fax, internet etc.