The influence of inputs market on increased food crop productivity: a case of fertilizer demand on maize production.

The policy makers in Tanzania regarded the world increase in prices and demand for food crops together with the agricultural trade reforms under World Trade Organisation (WTO) negotiations as an opportunity for Tanzania to increase food production and export surplus. Though the potential in agriculture promises to do so, the existing opportunities may not be translated into a reality mainly due to poor input marketing systems that have resulted into low fertilizer consumption. This study was undertaken to examine the demand for fertilizer technology by the smallholder maize farmers for sustainable agricultural development in Tanzania. Using a linear regression analysis the result indicated price of fertilizer, price of manure (a substitute) and farm size to be important variables that significantly affected the demand for fertilizer in the country. Whereas maize prices and credit availability variables were insignificant, meaning that, the former indicated the low income received by farmers whereas the later indicated the low level of credit received by farmers. Constraints to fertilizer procurement and utilization have also been identified. Implementation of policies that address the constraints of the input marketing systems and hastening the review and launching of new policies especially those with a bearing on agricultural input marketing may have the potential of raising fertilizer consumption in food crops and therefore meeting the country's objectives.