http://repository.mocu.ac.tz/xmlui/handle/123456789/81 2026-04-07T11:15:59Z http://repository.mocu.ac.tz/xmlui/handle/123456789/2076 Next steps for smallholder sugarcane contract farmers in developing countries: Machimu, Gervas M. Contract farming (CF) is a critical pathway that supports many African smallholder growers in crop production for commercialisation. Most cash crops, including sugarcane, are grown under CF in developing countries (DCs). Thus, CF is an effective strategy for increasing farmer crop market competitiveness and a tool for smallholder crop cultivation, income sustenance, and input assurance. However, the success of CF varies across DCs and is context-specific depending on the existing CF models (CFMs), with most DCs operating in a single CFM and its out-growers remaining unsatisfied, perceiving CF benefits only to agribusiness firms (buyers). Understanding CFMs and smallholder farmers’ crop production can provide a phenotypic difference that edge for the future sustainability of the crops under the strategy. This article critically reviewed literature related to sugarcane CF service delivery and CF support models in DCs. It specifically explores the sugarcane CFM practices, and how they work; and documents lessons learned from well-progressing DCs like Brazil, India, Thailand, etc. To inform the way forward to address the challenges related to the CFMs. A thorough search was conducted in published journal articles, conference proceedings, books, reports, presentations, posters, and case studies related to CF among smallholders, out-growers, and operational CFMs in DCs. The review established that CF is an effective strategy for addressing production and marketing challenges for smallholder sugarcane farmers. However, smallholder farmers require effective intermediary institutions and ought to opt for the diversification of CFMs. This necessitates policy and legal frameworks from their respective governments Article 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z http://repository.mocu.ac.tz/xmlui/handle/123456789/2071 Innovation capabilities and export performance of SMEs: Ringo, D.S; Tegambwage, A.G; Kazungu, Isaac Purpose – This paper aims to examine the relationship between innovation capabilities (INVC) and export performance (EXPERF) of manufacturing small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Moreover, the paper aims to investigate the moderating effect of risk-taking propensity (RSTP) in the relationship between INVC and the SMEs’ EXPERF. Design/methodology/approach – A cross-sectional survey design was used and data were collected through structured questionnaires from 250 manufacturing exporting SMEs in Tanzania. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to test the measurement model. The hypotheses were empirically tested using PROCESS macro test. Findings – The findings affirm that INVC is a significant predictor of EXPERF. Additionally, RSTP was found to be a significant moderator of the relationship between INVC and EXPERF. Research limitations/implications – Although the study was able to accomplish its overall objective, it is limited in terms of the context under which the study was conducted. This study covered only manufacturing SMEs in a single country, Tanzania. Hence, the findings should be interpreted with caution since each country has specific institutional environments that support innovation. Originality/value – The findings of this study expand the application of the resource-based view (RBV) theory in exporting context. The study revealed how INVC as an intangible resource can lead to successful performance. Hence, the findings of this study broaden the applicability of RBV theory. Also, this study contributes to the debate about the innovation-export performance relationship by revealing a moderating role of RSTP in the relationship between INVC and EXPERF. Research article 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z http://repository.mocu.ac.tz/xmlui/handle/123456789/2065 THE ARTISANS: Kazungu, Isaac; Ngugi, P.K; Rotich, Gladys; Otieno, R.O This study examines the influence of entrepreneurship training on performance of handicraft exporting Micro and Small Enterprises in Tanzania. Resource Based View (RBV) and Positivism approach are the key theory and philosophical touch guiding this study. The target population for this study were the handicrafts exporting MSEs in Tanzania and the respondents were the owner-managers of these firms. Descriptive research design was adopted and data were collected using questionnaire and interviews to 171 owner-managers of exporting handicraft MSEs in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Questionnaire was tested for validity and reliability of each variable construct. Quantitative and qualitative techniques were used to analyse the collected data. Strength of linear relationship between the variables of the study was determined by using Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient (r). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to establish the appropriateness of the questionnaire constructs. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to test the significance of the influence of the independent variable on the dependent variable. Evidence suggests that there is significant relationship between entrepreneurship training and the performance handicrafts exporting MSEs in Tanzania. It is concluded that entrepreneurship training has strong impact on performance of exporting MSEs. The study recommends for the establishment of a specialized financing mechanism for MSEs funding, so as to enable them accessing entrepreneurship training. The study also calls for the review of the 2003 SMEs’ development policy to incorporate institutional context and settings, which will enhance MSEs’ access to entrepreneurship training. The need for instituting vibrant entrepreneurship training programmes necessary for exporting MSE’s sustainability and effective performance of handicraft exporting enterprises. It is anticipated that findings of this study will be of key interest to entrepreneurs in the handicraft industry, regulatory agencies,government agencies offering entrepreneurship training at all levels, policy makers, researchers and scholars with interests in international business, and entrepreneurship development. These findings will also serve as a frame of reference to future research studies and projects in the areas of entrepreneurship development and export trade Research article 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z http://repository.mocu.ac.tz/xmlui/handle/123456789/2064 Analysis of the Current Marketing Channels among Small-Scale Coffee and Cashew Nut Farmers’ Households in Tanzania Kimaro, Prosper J.; Nnko, Elisifa E. This study analysed the current marketing channels among small-scale coffee and cashew nut farmers’ households. Specifically, the study intended to examine the available marketing channels and determined the effect of marketing channel choices to AMCOS. The study collected both quantitative and qualitative data from primary and secondary sources. The data collection methods included a survey, Focus Group Discussion, Key Informant Interview and Documentary review. Content and descriptive statistics analysis were used to analyse the data and finally, the information obtained presented using tables and figures. The findings revealed that socio-demographic information have a great influence on coffee and cashew nuts production among small-scale farmers and do determine substantially the amount of the produce sold to AMCOS which later on determine the sustainability of AMCOS. In addition, market availability for both coffee and cashew nuts is better today than some years in the past. Small-scale coffee farmers have varieties of marketing channels contrary to the cashew nuts farmers who have only one marketing channel i.e. AMCOS. The study recommends deliberate efforts to be taken by the government through the Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with Local Government Authorities to ensure timely availability of agricultural farming inputs at a subsidized price and timely availability of money in co-operatives at the start of the harvesting season so that smallholder farmers cannot be compelled to sell their produce elsewhere apart from their respective AMCOS. Furthermore, in order to ensure the sustainability of AMCOS, youth sensitization at all levels starting from the village, ward, district, region and nation-level has to be conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with the Local Government Authorities. 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z