Avocado Production and Local Trade in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania: A Case of an Emerging Trade Commodity from Horticulture

Juma Juma,Nyomora Nyomora,Geleta Geleta,Carlsson Carlsson,Persson Hovmalm Persson Hovmalm,Fatih Fatih,Ortiz Ortiz,Fors Fors

doi:10.3390/agronomy9110749

Juma Juma, Nyomora Nyomora + Show 6 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy9110749

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Abstract

Avocado crop in Tanzania is sparingly investigated regardless of being an important fruit commodity. This study was undertaken to explore the yield and the value chain of this crop in the country. Data were collected mainly by face-to-face interviews with 275 avocado farmers, 231 avocado traders and 16 key informants. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square test and one-way analysis of variance were used for data analysis. The average crop yield ranged from 76 to 124 kg plant−1 between regions. The average price for the farmers’ produce ranged from US$ 0.30 to 0.45 kg−1 between regions. About 72% of the farmers were dissatisfied with avocado business whereas 79% of the traders were pleased with it. A number of challenges were found hindering the development of the avocado industry in Tanzania, which in turn affects the fruit yield and the value chain. Addressing these challenges at the national, regional, district and village levels is important for improving the livelihood of Tanzanian farmers growing this crop, given the fact that a good proportion of the country’s population is employed in the agricultural sector and most of the reported challenges also affect the value chain of other crops.

Highlights

IntroductionAvocado (Persea americana Mill.), known as butter fruit, is a nutritive healthy fruit [1]
Avocado (Persea americana Mill.), known as butter fruit, is a nutritive healthy fruit [1].The origin of avocado is Meso America and it grows wild all over Latin America
Tanzania, which in turn affects the fruit yield and the value chain. Addressing these challenges at the national, regional, district and village levels is important for improving the livelihood of Tanzanian farmers growing this crop, given the fact that a good proportion of the country’s population is employed in the agricultural sector and most of the reported challenges affect the value chain of other crops

Summary

Introduction

Avocado (Persea americana Mill.), known as butter fruit, is a nutritive healthy fruit [1]. The origin of avocado is Meso America and it grows wild all over Latin America. Cultivated avocado was first reported in Mauritius in 1780, Florida in. 1833, California in 1856 and Zanzibar in 1892, but the cultivation in these areas increased extensively during the 1900s [1,2]. Avocado is classified into three botanical groups; the tropical lowland West. Selection and vegetative propagation of superior cultivars have occurred during the last 115 years [4]. Most modern vegetatively propagated ‘subtropical’ cultivars are partial hybrids between Mexican and Guatemalan races, selected either by chance or from superior seedlings [3]

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