Pineapple marketing in Mwinilunga district of Zambia
Date
2007
Authors
Chipasha, Chunga Henry
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Zambia
Abstract
The overall objective of this research was to determine the efficiency of the pineapple
market by using the Structure, Conduct and Performance model for analysing markets.
This study was conducted in Ikelenge within Mwinilunga District of Zambia. The study
area was selected as it is one of the main areas where pineapples produced. The
respondents were 43 farmers and 29 traders. These were purposively sampled due to the
absence of a sampling frame. The farmers were personally interviewed by employing a
structured questionnaire, consisting of closed and open - ended questions, these types of
questions were used in order to maximise the amount of data collected. The data
collected was processed with a computer using the statistical package for social sciences
(SPSS), this was due to the fact that the data collected was quantitative in nature.
With respect to the pineapple industry's structure, the study found that the industry has
no formal registered firms. The industry is at its infancy stage and the barriers to e n ^
were in the form of lack of capital, lack of appropriate transport facilities and lack of an
established market. In terms of conduct, the study found that no single trader or farmer
had influence on the industry as a whole. Most of the traders as well as farmers use
negotiations as a means of coercing rivals. Due to the lade of standards, and lack of
independent actions of the traders, the conduct was found to be inefficient. Market
performance is a ilinction of the outcome of the structure and conduct. The study findings
also show that there was an indication of a deviation from the 'ideal model', as traders
and farmers were not acting independently, the market was not organized, and products
were not standardised.
Based on these findings the following recommendations were made; traders and farmers
organise themselves into associations, rehabilitate the road network, there is need to
provide infrastructural facilities, and need to establish credit facilities.
Description
Student Project Report
Keywords
Pineapple -- Marketing , Bromelin