Analysis of the Current Marketing Channels among Small-Scale Coffee and Cashew Nut Farmers’ Households in Tanzania

Abstract

This study analysed the current marketing channels among small-scale coffee and cashew nut farmers’ households. Specifically, the study intended to examine the available marketing channels and determined the effect of marketing channel choices to AMCOS. The study collected both quantitative and qualitative data from primary and secondary sources. The data collection methods included a survey, Focus Group Discussion, Key Informant Interview and Documentary review. Content and descriptive statistics analysis were used to analyse the data and finally, the information obtained presented using tables and figures. The findings revealed that socio-demographic information have a great influence on coffee and cashew nuts production among small-scale farmers and do determine substantially the amount of the produce sold to AMCOS which later on determine the sustainability of AMCOS. In addition, market availability for both coffee and cashew nuts is better today than some years in the past. Small-scale coffee farmers have varieties of marketing channels contrary to the cashew nuts farmers who have only one marketing channel i.e. AMCOS. The study recommends deliberate efforts to be taken by the government through the Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with Local Government Authorities to ensure timely availability of agricultural farming inputs at a subsidized price and timely availability of money in co-operatives at the start of the harvesting season so that smallholder farmers cannot be compelled to sell their produce elsewhere apart from their respective AMCOS. Furthermore, in order to ensure the sustainability of AMCOS, youth sensitization at all levels starting from the village, ward, district, region and nation-level has to be conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with the Local Government Authorities.