Contribution of Global Value Chain on Innovation in Vanilla Production Among Smallholder Women Farmers in Bukoba Rural District

Abstract

The GVC has the potential intended to promote innovation in production by expanding the skills to smallholders in agro-processing activities. Nevertheless, regardless of its efficacy, studies on the contribution of GVC in strengthening agricultural innovation are inconclusive. This study intended to assess the contribution of the global value chain to innovation in vanilla production among women small-scale farmers in Bukoba rural district. The study adopted a cross-sectional research design in which 83 vanilla smallholder women farmers participated through questionnaires and structured interviews. Qualitative analysis, through content analysis, descriptive and inferential statistics including binary logistic regression was utilized for data analysis. The study discovered that GVC has contributed 90% to innovation in production since 90% of smallholder women farmers have adopted new and improved knowledge through training programs facilitated by local innovators, and 97.1% were aware of the innovative technology in the production of vanilla. The binary logistic test found that trade networks have a positive and significant (p>0.05) impact on smallholder women farmers' ability to access the global market for vanilla. The study recommends that, in order to optimize knowledge and technology spillover and support weak agricultural innovation systems, the government should encourage policy interventions, legislation and regulation reforms.