This article examined determinants of the marketing channel choice of smallholder rice farmers in the context of climate change in Kilombero District, Tanzania. A mixed-methods study approach was used; whereby quantitative data were gathered from 384 farmers based on a simple random sample. Primary data were gathered using household questionnaires, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, field observation and document review. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential analysis. Moreover, qualitative data were analyzed thematically. Findings show that farmers utilized four primary channels of marketing: farm-gate buyers, local markets, urban/wholesale markets and cooperative groups. Determinants of channel choice were primarily farm size (p < .02), extension services provision (p < .005), education level (p < .001), access to credit (p < .017) and participation in farmer organizations (p < .03). The study opines that strengthening infrastructure, market information systems, extension services and membership in cooperatives is vital for climate-resilient marketing. The findings highlight that improved market information systems, extension services, infrastructure and membership in cooperatives can play an important role in improving the market access of small-scale farmers in changing climatic conditions.
Jackson R. Sawe (Mon,) studied this question.
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