The Institutional and Socio-Economic Constraints to Smallholder Tobacco Production and Marketing in Mount Darwin District of Zimbabwe: The Value Chain Approach

Abstract

This study used the value chain approach to identify the institutional and socioeconomic constraints to tobacco production and marketing in Mount Darwin District; Zimbabwe. Three hundred and eighty farmers were randomly sampled for the study. Key informant interviews were used to collect data from input suppliers, contractors, buyers, auction floors, the Tobacco Industry Marketing Board, EMA and government extension staff. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and the Pairwise ranking matrix. Results from the study identified shortage of foreign currency and high transport costs as the major constraints affecting input suppliers. Dry spells, labour shortages, high inputs costs, fuel shortages, pests were some of the farmers' constraints to tobacco production. Some of the major marketing constraints affecting the smallholder farmers included low producer prices, high transport costs, theft in transit and exploitative prices offered by tobacco merchants. Auction companies cited viability challenges due to declining tobacco volumes sold through auction floors. Tobacco contractors cited side-marketing, diversion of tobacco inputs by farmers and high operating costs as major constraints affecting their operations. The results from the study show that there are a lot of constraints affecting the smallholder tobacco chain and these can be addressed through collaboration among the chain stakeholders Keywords: institutional constraints; tobacco value chain; Mount Darwin District; smallholder farmers.

Economic resilience and sustainable agripreneurship in tobacco value chains: A case of small-scale farmers in Gokwe district, Zimbabwe

“…The tobacco industry plays a highly crucial role in the growth and development of Zimbabwe as a nation however it remains vulnerable because of the socio-economic challenge which therefore poses a threat to the resilience and sustainability of the sector. Muroiwa et al (2019) identify that smallholder farmers continue to drown in problems centred on the socio-economic and institutions designed to support them. The sector has been seen to be transitioning and transforming in its myriad of problems which have been recognised from as early as 2000 which was around the same time when the land reform program started.…”