Transaction costs and food security

Abstract

The study will asses transaction costs in the maize marketing channels in Southern Highlands of Tanzania (Iringa, Mbeya and Ruvuma). This is a major maize producing zone. Linking this zone with food deficit regions like coastal areas and Dar es Saalaam regions is important for food security in Tanzania. This requires a well functioning market which lowers transaction costs hence stimulates maize production and distribution to deficit areas at affordable prices. Therefore, understanding nature and magnitude of transaction costs especially non-transportation costs in the maize marketing channels will be studied to provide information to guide formulating appropriate policies for food security in Tanzania