Analysis of the marketing efficiency of indegenous leafy vegetables(ILV)in Zambia: A case study of Soweto Market in Lusaka
Date
2012
Authors
Chipilipili, Given
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Zambia
Abstract
It is a known fact that smallholder farmers are the major producers of indigenous leafy
vegetables (ILVs) and other crops in this country. Various characteristics of these crops merit
their high nutritional value, medicinal properties and low costs of production. However, farmers
have cited lack of access to markets and uncoordinated market linkages among supply chain
participants as the major marketing challenge regarding trade in these crops. This has led to low
production of these crops, because it is the market that drives production. Most studies have
looked at agriculture marketing policies, with maize markets as the focus of research while
neglecting other crops.
This study was carried out in Lusaka district, and it was aimed at analyzing the marketing
efficiency of ILVs and the factors that affect the marketing margins in Zambia. The objectives of
the study were to assess the structure I LV markets, identify the marketing channels, measure the
marketing margins and identify factors affecting marketing margins at each level of marketing.
The structured questionnaire was the primary instrument used for data collection and also
informal interviews. Descriptive statistics were generated using SPSS. Excel was used to
organize Outputs and Stata was used to estimate the model using the multiple regression.
The results showed that the market system of I LV was competitive and this was determined by
the CR8 value of 14%. The farmer's share was determined at 83%) showing that the market was
efficient as just a small amount went into the marketing system. Factors that were considered
affecting the marketing margins included age, level of education, household size, distance to the
nearest market, farm size, extension services, access to credit and quantity traded. Household
size (P-values = 0.017, 0.014, 0.019 for amaranthus, pumpkin leaves and sweet potato leaves
respectively), access to credit (P-values = 0.03, 0.06, 0.08 for amaranthus, pumpkin leaves and
sweet potato leaves respectively) and quantity traded for sweet potato leaves (P-value = 0.10)
were identified as being statistically significant in explaining the marketing margins at 95%
confidence level.
It is therefore recommended that effective linkages between producers, retailers and consumers
be strengthened. Thus, it is important that the government create and improve access to markets
and providing linkages so as to have ready markets. Extension service provision should also be
considered as it can improve the effectiveness of this industry as it has the potential to increase
smallholder incomes.
Description
Student Project Report
Keywords
Endemic plants-Zambia , Wild plants,Edible-Zambia-Marketing