Constraints facing smallholder farmers in maize marketing: A case study of Petauke District
Date
2008
Authors
Kaputo, Eugine
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Zambia
Abstract
Agricultural Marketing plays an important role not only in stimulating production and
consumption, but also in accelerating the pace of economic development. For this reason,
it has been described as the most important multiplier of agricultural development. Maize
is the most important crop in Zambia and has great potential to improve the living
standards of the bulky of the rural population. Smallholder farmers face a number of
problems in marketing their maize. This research study was carried out to find out the
problems facing smallholder farmers in maize marketing. The study was undertaken in
Petauke District in Eastern Province.
A sample of 68 respondents was randomly selected and data collected through
administration of structured questionnaires. Data collected in this study was organized
and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software.
The markets that were available for the smallholder maize producer include: the
government through FRA; the Local Markets; farmer Cooperatives; Businesspersons; and
Breweries. Problems that smallholder framers faced in marketing their maize were found
to be low prices, unstable markets, transportation, and lack of packaging materials. The
outstanding of these was transportation. It was discovered that there was correlation
between farm income of the smallholder fanner and his /her susceptibility to marketing
problems. The reasons that were given by respondents for preferring one market over
another were: price; early buying of maizd by market participants; early payments to the
farmers; closeness of the market to the fanners; availability of market in areas where
markets are not fully developed; and membership to a Farmer Cooperative.
Farmers need to recognize the importance of storing maize and sell later in the season
when the prices are high in the market. Education of smallholder farmers in carrying out
effective marketing decisions that can safeguard their interests is important. Government
should encourage farmers to strengthen the cooperative movements in order to be able to
have access to a better mode of transport through mobilization of their resources. It is
recommended that further study be undertaken to determine factors affecting smallholder
farmers' market choice
Description
Student Project Report
Keywords
Corn--Marketing , Sweet corn