Crops Diversification with Coffee in Primary Agricultural Marketing Co-operatives in Kigoma and Kagera Regions, Tanzan

Abstract

Co-operative diversification is an important factor that can enable coffee co- operatives to deal with sustainability and members' livelihoods currently shaken due to coffee decline in production and decline in market price. The study is aimed at uncovering how co-operatives can execute diversifications through the identification of other non- coffee crops that can be sold alongside coffee in traditional coffee co-operatives. The study was cross-sectionally designed to obtain qualitative data from coffee producing districts Karagwe, Muleba, Buhigwe, and Kigoma. The study collected data through Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and Key Informant Interviews. Data were analyzed through content analysis. The study findings show that the traditional coffee production areas are endowered with a variety of other crops than coffee where about 16 food crops were identified and proposed by the members to be sold via co-operatives. Among the suggested crops grains including maize and beans scored the highest percentages of selection. The study also found that access to market, access to and highest price of inputs together with the inadequacy of diversification knowledge to be factors that may delay diversification among coffee AMCOS. The study concludes that, many crops grow well in the coffee-producing area that can potentially be used to enhance coffee AMCOS diversification. The study recommended coffee AMCOS to choose among the suggested crops in their area and enjoy the opportunity for diversification. Also, the study recommends co operative actors like TCDC, Unions, and regional and district co-operative offices to support the co-operative diversifications through training and market search.