Assessment of the supply chain and factors influencing consumer decisions to purchase bean-based processed products in Lusaka province of Zambia.
Date
2023
Authors
Haboombe, Maimbo
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The University of Zambia
Abstract
Global climate change, coupled with rapid population growth at a rate of 3.4%, is driving significant shifts in agricultural practices worldwide. Traditional crops are struggling to cope with the biotic and abiotic stresses imposed by climate change on plants. Recognizing the need for adaptive solutions, the Zambian government, through the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), actively promotes the production of legume plants due to their benefits, such as enhancing soil aggregates, increasing soil water retention, and demonstrating robust adaptive capacities in adverse environments. Despite the advantages of legumes, many small-scale farmers engaged in their production neglect value addition, resulting in substantial postharvest losses. Acknowledging that minimizing these losses can enhance food availability, security, and environmental sustainability, the discourse on food loss and waste (FLW) avoidance has gained prominence globally. Efforts to combat global hunger and improve food security underscore the importance of engaging in agro processing. Agro-processing emerges as a pivotal strategy not only for minimizing postharvest losses but also for export diversification, as processed agricultural items hold greater value than raw materials. In Zambia, however, agro-processing remains underutilized, presenting numerous untapped opportunities within the sector. The insufficient information on value addition to common beans through processing results in their predominantly low-value sale in raw material form. Therefore, this study addressed the potential of bean-based processed products in the Zambian market. While prior research had primarily focused on increasing legume production, this study shifted attention to bean-based processed products on the Zambian market. Recognizing the dearth of information on these products, the study aimed to identify the challenges faced by supply chain participants and determine the factors influencing the consumption of bean-based processed products. The findings sought to enhance understanding of the market for these products and identify interventions necessary for the commercialization of the bean-based processing industry in Zambia. The study, conducted through two surveys (a rapid market assessment and a household survey) in Lusaka province, Zambia, adopted a comprehensive research design, utilizing both descriptive and econometric methods for analysis. A total of 78 respondents were interviewed along supply chains during the rapid market assessment (13 processors, 3 importers, 13 Distributors and 49 on-spot consumers) and 341 for the household survey. The key respondents for the rapid market assessment were key actors along the bean-based processed product supply chain while the person in charge of food purchases in a household was the target respondent for the household survey. The findings underscore the dominance of flour and pre-cooked relish in the bean processing industry, with the majority of processors/importers facing challenges in raw material acquisition. Importantly, the study reveals that female influence significantly shapes food purchasing decisions within households, with eating habits, wealth index, and the work status of the household head emerging as critical factors influencing the consumption of bean-based processed products. The results carry implications for various stakeholders within Zambia's agricultural sector, providing insights that can guide farmers in aligning their production with consumer preferences, potentially
leading to increased income and sustainability. Some of these implications are that businesses in the food industry should pay attention to female preferences in their marketing strategies and policy initiatives could focus on making nutritious food more affordable, potentially through subsidies or incentives that benefit lower-income households.
Description
Thesis of Masters’ Degree in Agricultural Economics.