Poor Market Infrastructure Research Articles

SOCIOECONOMIC ASPECTS OF SMALL-SCALE FRESHWATER PRAWN MARKETING SYSTEMS IN MYMENSINGH, BANGLADESH

An investigation was carried out in Mymensingh region of Bangladesh to understand current practices of freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) marketing systems. Prawn marketing is almost exclusively maintained by the private sector, where the livelihoods of a considerable number of people are associated with prawn distribution and marketing systems. The market chain from producers to consumers passes through a number of intermediaries. The prawn is a highly valued product in international markets; most of the prawns (60%) are therefore exported, particularly to the USA, Japan and Europe. The rest (40%) of the under-sized prawns are sold to local markets in Mymensingh. The price of prawn depends on quality, size and weight, and grade. In spite of marketing constraints, livelihood outcomes are positive and most of the households of traders (75%) have improved their social and economic conditions through prawn marketing activities. However, concerns arise about the long-term sustainability of prawn marketing due to poor road and transport facilities, inadequate supply of ice, lack of money and credit facilities, and poor market infrastructure. It is therefore necessary to provide institutional, organizational, and government support for a sustainable prawn market.

The Diversity of Cultivated African Leafy Vegetables in Three Communities in Western Kenya

High poverty levels in western Kenya that are manifested in malnutrition and poor health prevail yet the region is endowed with high agricultural biodiversity like African Leafy Vegetables (ALVs). The vegetables have high micronutrient content, medicinal properties, several agronomic advantages and economic value yet their potential in alleviating poverty and ensuring household food and nutrition security in the rural areas has not been exploited. Despite all the above advantages, these vegetables have been neglected and face several constraints hampering optimal production such that if the situation is left unchecked it may result in loss of this biodiversity. It is because of this that a study was conducted with the objectives of documenting the diversity of African Leafy Vegetables and to collect indigenous knowledge on production, agronomic and cultural practices in three communities of Western Kenya. A survey was conducted between January 2002 and March, 2003, in six districts in Western and Nyanza provinces representing the Luhya, Luo and Kisii communities. A structured questionnaire was administered to eighty purposively sampled respondents distributed in the ratio of 30:20:30 for Luhya, Luo and Kisii communities respectively. One focus group discussions per community was held and two key informants per community were interviewed. Over 90% of the respondents indicated that there was an increase in the cultivation of African Leafy Vegetables. Ten African Leafy Vegetables were found in the three communities representing eight botanic families. All the communities cultivated the ALVs at a subsistence level in home gardens, with organic sources of manure and under an intercrop system. Broadcasting was practiced by 20%, 40% and 60% of the respondents from the Luhya, Luo and Kisii communities respectively. Harvesting was done by first uprooting at thinning then ratooning. The major constraints facing production of African Leafy Vegetables included lack of quality seed, pests and diseases, drought, poor marketing strategies and lack of technical packages. In conclusion, the study showed that all the three communities studied had a high diversity of cultivated African Leafy Vegetables covering eight botanic families; respondents in all the communities cultivate African leafy vegetable in a subsistence, home gardening, intercrop system where the use of chemical fertilizers and chemicals was minimal and the major constraints of production of African Leafy Vegetables included, poor quality seed, drought and poor marketing systems and infrastructure. The identified species should be promoted and improved as commercial crops.

A survey of broiler production in the Blantyre Agricultural Development Division, Malawi

Broiler production is one of the fastest‐growing income‐generating enterprises in Malawi. This article discusses the results of a survey of this industry in Malawi in which 103 broiler farmers from the Blantyre Agricultural Development Division (BLADD) were interviewed. The article examines demographics, education level, general poultry man agement, disease control, the sources of chicks and breeds used, feeding and marketing. The broiler industry in Malawi is plagued by a lack of proper knowledge and technology in poultry husbandry and nutrition, of locally available ingredients for formulating low‐cost balanced rations, of adequate and reliable veterinary pharmaceutical facilities and services, and of accessible credit, as well as an ineffective extension network and a poor processing and marketing infrastructure. With adequate resources, appropriate research and favourable government policies, solutions to these problems can be found to help advance the broiler industry in Malawi.

Spatial and seasonal price differences: A case study of sorghum producers in Sudan

Spatial and seasonal price difference for sorghum in the Sudan are investigated. Results indicate that the producer's share of the consumer price is low. Seasonal price spreads indicate an excess return to the storage function. Causes of these large price differences are poor marketing infrastructure and government policy.