Market institutions benefiting smallholders in contemporary Meru, Tanzania
Author
Summary, in English
Smallholders in developing countries can potentially benefit from access to local, regional, national and international markets as they intermediate between rural and urban demand for agricultural products and smallholder supply. This study investigates how smallholders in Meru, Tanzania make use of the various marketing channels that are available to them, and argues that the variety of potential marketing channels and easily accessible market information enables smallholders to weigh advantages and disadvantages with varying market opportunities and form rational decisions. It presents a case where producers, consumers and traders are the principal agents in building market institutions through what should be characterised as endogenous processes. As these market institutions correspond to smallholders' needs, they may be able to play an important role in the overall process of agricultural development in the area.
Department/s
Publishing year
2012
Language
English
Pages
657-679
Publication/Series
Journal of Modern African Studies
Volume
50
Issue
4
Document type
Journal article
Publisher
Cambridge University Press
Topic
- Economic History
Status
Published
ISBN/ISSN/Other
- ISSN: 0022-278X