Browsing by Author "Kulwijila, Mary"

Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Grape value chain mapping in Dodoma region, Tanzania
    (IISTE, 2018) Kulwijila, Mary; Makindara, Jeremia; Laswai, Henry
    Understanding value chain actors, relationships, opportunities and constraints are crucial in determining the contribution of a commodity to economic development. However, one critical component that has escaped the attention of researchers is the link between these constraints with post-harvest losses of food crops along the chains. The study mapped grape value chain in Dodoma region. Specifically, the study sought to: (1) map linkages between actors, activities and flow of the product in the grape value chain and (2) analyze pre- and post harvest constraints contributing to grape losses. A cross-sectional research design was used to collect data from 240 farmers and 30 traders which were randomly selected. Descriptive statistics, multiple responses and sub sector analysis were used to analyze the data collected. Results indicated that the key actors in grape value chain were input suppliers, producers, processors, wholesalers, retailers and consumers. Relationship among actors was very weak because no farmers and traders associations were identified. The major constraints along the value chain that contribute to grape losses were high production and transport costs, poor extension services, limited access to marketing information, inadequate market access, lack of credit, poor knowledge on post harvest handling, poor roads, inappropriate post-harvest technologies and spoilage of the commodity. It is concluded that, grape value chain is hampered by both pre and post-harvest constraints that greatly contribute to post-harvest losses and addressing these constraints could improve value chain and reduce the losses. The study recommends government intervention to subsidize grape inputs and infrastructure development including feeder roads, processing and storage technologies for grape actors to benefit from various activities and reduce post harvest losses. Furthermore, the study recommends provision of extension services, credit facilities and establishment of grape board which could oversee marketing of grapes to reduce problems associated with low grape selling price to growers.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Grape value chain mapping in Dodoma region, Tanzania
    (IISTE, 2018) Kulwijila, Mary; Makindara, Jeremia; Laswai, Henry
    Understanding value chain actors, relationships, opportunities and constraints are crucial in determining the contribution of a commodity to economic development. However, one critical component that has escaped the attention of researchers is the link between these constraints with post-harvest losses of food crops along the chains. The study mapped grape value chain in Dodoma region. Specifically, the study sought to: (1) map linkages between actors, activities and flow of the product in the grape value chain and (2) analyze pre- and post harvest constraints contributing to grape losses. A cross-sectional research design was used to collect data from 240 farmers and 30 traders which were randomly selected. Descriptive statistics, multiple responses and sub sector analysis were used to analyze the data collected. Results indicated that the key actors in grape value chain were input suppliers, producers, processors, wholesalers, retailers and consumers. Relationship among actors was very weak because no farmers and traders associations were identified. The major constraints along the value chain that contribute to grape losses were high production and transport costs, poor extension services, limited access to marketing information, inadequate market access, lack of credit, poor knowledge on post harvest handling, poor roads, inappropriate post-harvest technologies and spoilage of the commodity. It is concluded that, grape value chain is hampered by both pre and post-harvest constraints that greatly contribute to post-harvest losses and addressing these constraints could improve value chain and reduce the losses. The study recommends government intervention to subsidize grape inputs and infrastructure development including feeder roads, processing and storage technologies for grape actors to benefit from various activities and reduce post harvest losses. Furthermore, the study recommends provision of extension services, credit facilities and establishment of grape board which could oversee marketing of grapes to reduce problems associated with low grape selling price to growers.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Impacts of artisanal fishing to the livelihoods of small scale fishing communities in Lake Victoria in Ukerewe district, Tanzania
    (Indore, 2012) Kulwijila, Mary; Masanyiwa, Zacharia S.; Namwata, Baltazar M.L.
    Fisheries play an important role in the livelihoods of riparian communities in Tanzania. However, changes in biodiversity and commercialization of the sector in recent decades have adversely affected fishing communities. Most studies on the sector have focused mainly on the biological and technical aspects and less on the socio-economic impacts of these changes to local communities. This paper analyses the impacts of Nile perch fishery to small scale fishing communities in Lake Victoria using a case of selected villages in Ukerewe district. Specifically, the paper examines profitability of Nile perch fishery to small scale fishing communities and its contribution to household income and non-income poverty reduction in comparison to other fishery. A cross section survey was employed to collect primary data from 140 respondents using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive analysis included the use of means, percentages, and cross tabulation using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Gross margin analysis was used to examine profitability of Nile perch and other fishery to small scale fishing communities. Results show that Nile perch fishery was far more profitable than fishery of other species. Comparison of means using paired T-test indicated that profit from Nile perch fishery significantly exceeds that of other species. Results further indicate that Nile perch contributes significantly to household income by 59% for fishers, 62% for traders and 40% for processors. While more than half of respondents have good quality houses and can afford health services, majority of them are food insecure. It is concluded that Nile perch fishing has an important role in reducing both income and non-income poverty, hence the need to promote more pro-poor policies to improve livelihoods of small scale fisher communities.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Socio-economic determinants of post-harvest losses in the grape value chain in Dodoma municipality and Chamwino district, Tanzania
    (The Open University of Tanzania, 2021) Kulwijila, Mary
    Determinants of post-harvest losses (PHLs) in fruits are categorized into biological and environmental. While these are well known and have been discussed by numerous authors, the socio-economic determinants of PHLs are not empirically known. This study analysed the socio-economic determinants of post-harvest losses in grapes along the value chain. A cross-sectional research design was used to collect data from 246 grape farmers and 30 traders who were randomly selected from a list consisting of grape farmers and traders obtained from District Agricultural Irrigation and Cooperative Officers (DAICOs) of the study area. The results from multiple linear regression show that unreliable market, lack of credit, age of grape at harvest, quantity of grapes harvested and experience are the major statistically significant determinants (p<0.05) that influenced the post-harvest losses of grapes at farm level. At traders level, the quantity handled, time grape stay in market before sold and distance from the farm to the market positively and significantly (p<0.05) influenced post-harvest losses of grape. It is concluded that socio-economic determinants greatly influence PHLs of grapes in the study area. Based on the conclusion, the study recommends for interventions by the Government and other stakeholders in grape processing industries to broaden the range of products from grapes through value addition to reduce PHLs and enhance market for grapes. The study recommends further that credits be provided to grape farmers and traders to enable them buy modern post-harvest handling facilities including packaging and storage in order to reduce the losses.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Socio-economic determinants of post-harvest losses in the grape value chain in Dodoma municipality and Chamwino district, Tanzania
    (AJER, 2021) Kulwijila, Mary
    Determinants of post-harvest losses (PHLs) in fruits are categorized into biological and environmental. While these are well known and have been discussed by numerous authors, the socio-economic determinants of PHLs are not empirically known. This study analysed the socio economic determinants of post-harvest losses in grapes along the value chain. A cross-sectional research design was used to collect data from 246 grape farmers and 30 traders who were randomly selected from a list consisting of grape farmers and traders obtained from District Agricultural Irrigation and Cooperative Officers (DAICOs) of the study area. The results from multiple linear regression show that unreliable market, lack of credit, age of grape at harvest, quantity of grapes harvested and experience are the major statistically significant determinants (p<0.05) that influenced the post-harvest losses of grapes at farm level. At traders level, the quantity handled, time grape stay in market before sold and distance from the farm to the market positively and significantly (p<0.05) influenced post-harvest losses of grape. It is concluded that socio-economic determinants greatly influence PHLs of grapes in the study area. Based on the conclusion, the study recommends for interventions by the Government and other stakeholders in grape processing industries to broaden the range of products from grapes through value addition to reduce PHLs and enhance market for grapes. The study recommends further that credits be provided to grape farmers and traders to enable them buy modern post-harvest handling facilities including packaging and storage in order to reduce the losses.