Low income farm households’ access to markets and household food security: The case of two economically distinct areas in rural Tanzania

Abstract

More than 70 percent of Tanzanians live in rural areas and close to 90 percent of them
practice agriculture. Kishapu and Mvomero Districts are highly food insecure,
nutritionally vulnerable, lack nutritional interventions and differ in rain patterns, farming
practices and economic activities. This study sets out to examine how market access
influences the food security status of low-income farm households in rural Tanzania.
Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected in 2014: quantitative data
comprised structured questionnaires in two phases of household surveys (before and after
harvest) and monthly market price surveys. Qualitative data comprised key informant
interviews and focus group discussion. Coding, cleaning and analysis of quantitative data
was done in SPSS while qualitative data was transcribed, coded and organised into
themes. Mvomero exhibited significantly better household incomes, food security and
market accessibility than Kishapu. Binomial regression was performed on household
food security determining variables which were categorised into food secure and food
insecure, variables in the models explained more than 60 percent of variations in the
dependent variables. Results indicated statistical significance in the pre-harvest season
such that households close to the market, owning bicycles, in higher income quartiles
and with smaller household size were less likely to be food insecure than their
counterparts. Post-harvest regressions showed no statistical significance except for the
prevalence category of household food insecurity where market access did not have any
statistical significance but ownership of a bicycle and having more off-farm income
meant households were less likely to be food insecure. Addressing rural food security
issues should consider the differences within the contexts of rural areas. Policies to
support the improvement and diversification of farm and off-farm incomes, and
increasing farm output have important implications for low-income farm households.
Such initiatives could include improvements in transport infrastructure and access to
credit, both of which would support market access, augment farm production and
improve off-farm income. However, such policies and strategies would be more robust
with more tests.
Key words: Market Access, Food Security, Rural Tanzania, Food Economies