Maize Marketing Model and Store-Time for Household Income Optimizations in Northern Zone of Tanzania

Abstract

This study modeled maize marketing model in Northern Zone of Tanzania together with its store-time for household income optimization. The study has been conducted in three regions i.e. Manyara, Arusha and Kilimanjaro in the selected nine Districts basing on their maize production volume i.e. Karatu, Hai, Siha, Arumeru, Mbulu, Hanang, Babati and Moshi rural. Focused Group Discussions (FGD), structured and semi-structured questionnaires were employed as data collection tools. Multivariate Linear Regression Models were developed together with some other statistical inferences so as to draw conclusions on the findings. This study reveals that, 94% of farmers depend highly on middlemen for marketing their maize grains. There is a significant relationship between maize marketing channels and household income with P-value = 0.04. Average store-time for majority of the respondents (70%) was found to be six-months. There was significant different (P-value = 0.002) between quantity harvested and store-time of maize in Northern Tanzania. From a multivariate regression linear model, it was found that, for household income optimization special attention should be given much on; production cost, storage cost, marketing cost and quantity of maize to be sold with reference to monthly price trend. This study recommends a range of four to seven month maize store-time for household sale and income optimization.