Assessment of Profit Percentage Levels of Small Women Vegetable Traders in Dodoma Urban, Tanzania.

Abstract

This study analyzed the profitability of small women vegetable traders in Dodoma urban in the markets of Majengo, Sabasaba, Chamwino, Chang‟ombe, and Chadulu. The specific objectives of the study were to determine mean profit gained by small women vegetable traders in Dodoma Urban, and to determine profit sustainability of vegetable trade of the small women vegetable traders in Dodoma Urban. The study involved both quantitative and qualitative methods which were used to enrich the results. The simple random and multistage sampling techniques were employed to select a sample of 85 women vegetable traders. Documentary review, interviews, and observations methods were employed in data collection. The data were analyzed using descriptive, single budget techniques, benefit cost ratio and Return on Investment calculations to determine the profit percentage levels of small woman vegetable traders in Dodoma Urban. The key informants were purposively selected in order to squeeze a lot of information out of the data collected and describe the major impact of findings on the population. The results revealed profit percentage levels of small women vegetable traders in Dodoma Urban were at a minimal average of 43 percent (43%) and the results also indicated that the profit percentage was equal to one percent (1%) per day. The results also revealed that the mean profit gained by the small women vegetable traders in Dodoma urban equivalently reach up to TZS 4,350/= per day and 130,500/= per month. It was furthermore revealed that, the profit gained by small women vegetable traders in Dodoma urban is sustainable in the near future the profit gained by small women vegetable traders in Dodoma urban is sustainable in the near future from the score of 1.58 which was ≥1. It was concluded that, the profit obtained from the vegetable business is not enough and cannot satisfy women vegetable traders in Dodoma urban to meet their economic needs and their vegetable businesses. It was finally recommended that; NGOs, institutions, organizations and stakeholders should support Government by capacitating small women vegetable traders on proper business operations and entrepreneurial skills.