Determinants of International Market Access among Cashew Nuts Small Holder Farmers in Bagamoyo District in Coastal Region, Tanzania.

Abstract

Small-scale farmers significantly aid in boosting the economy, creating jobs, and ensuring food security. However, research done in Tanzania found that exports of cashew nuts are not as high as they are in other nations. The main objective of this study is to investigate the factors affecting international market access among the Tanzanian cashew nuts small holder farmers. The study's specific objectives included evaluating the government's role in exporting cashew nuts to foreign markets, the difficulties indigenous small-holder farmers face in exporting cashew nut products to foreign markets, and the establishment of a connection between indigenous small-holder farmers and cooperative unions in those markets. A Sample size of 135 of small-scale farmers who are members of agricultural cooperatives and were randomly chosen from cooperative societies that deals with cashew nuts. Cross-sectional design was employed to farmers and executives of selected cooperatives operating in the Bagamoyo district. Descriptive statistical methods were applied. The results show that 29.6% of respondents believe that the government plays a facilitation role in the exportation of cashew nuts to Bagamoyo's global markets. The study also showed that a lack of business knowledge of global markets is a problem for indigenous small-holder farmers trying to sell cashew nut products to foreign markets. In addition, the survey found that only 65.1% of indigenous smallholder farmers and cooperative unions in international marketplaces are connected. Cashew nut marketing, however, was usually regarded as being inefficient and underdeveloped. Initiatives for cashew growth should therefore concentrate on both production technology gaps and marketing problems. The study makes recommendations for the cashew nut business that include establishing a dedicated buying post system, employing warehouse receipts, and improving research and extension services.