Market Access for Maize Smallholder Farmers in Tanzania

This paper assessed factors which influence market access for smallholder farmers in the major maize producing districts (Mbozi and Sumbawanga) of Mbeya and Rukwa regions, located in the Southern Highland of Tanzania. Cross sectional data were collected from a sample of 240 smallholder farmers which were randomly selected and interviewed using standardized questionnaires. Data were analyzed using SPSS Computer software. In estimating the effects of transaction costs on market participation and sales of maize, the twostage Heckman model was used. Results suggest that, asset ownership (cattle, bicycle & oxcart), family size and price of maize have a significant positive relationship with the amount of maize sold. In contrast, amount of maize consumed and distance to market had shown negative effects on farmers’ market participation. This implies that, smallholder farmers’ market participation will increase with the increase in maize prices and farm resource endowments. The study concludes that, household characteristics such as family size and gender; price and distance to market play great a role in determining farmers’ decision to participate into the market. We recommend that, government should improve market infrastructures such as roads and market centers so as to reduce transaction costs and thus increase market access for farmers. ___________________________________________________________________________