How farmers’ markets can improve local food economies at household and meso-level in Tanzania

Abstract

There is a growing concern that farmers’ crops are not efficiently sold due to poor market structure and/or inadequate government and cooperative associations’ involvement. This study explores the nature of farmers’ market channels and their influence on local food economies. The study adopted a Mixed Method Research approach which combined household level survey, meso-level market survey and structured interviews. Primary data collection used interviews with key informants, market agents, market and household surveys and focus group discussions. The sample size (277 households) was adequate for valid and reliable findings. However, to have a greater claim to generalization, further studies need to be carried out in more districts in Tanzania. Overall, the study found out that there is limited market access of information on agricultural market channels which limits farmers’ productivity in the local food economy. Likewise, information sharing about agricultural market channels is limited to households since only radio and TV have to a lesser extent been available as a source of information. The findings imply that without adequate government and NGOs’ involvement in empowering the farmers on agricultural market information and access to finances and credits, very little improvement will be realised in the farmers’ markets structure.
Keywords: farmers’ markets, local food economy, market channels