Export promotion and farmers’ welfare impact: Evidence from common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L) farming in Arusha, Tanzania

The results of this study suggest that common beans’ farmers in Tanzania are aware of significant role of exporting their crop than trading locally. Results further suggest that different factors such as age of a farmer, household size, other business, access to extension and contract farming are likely to influence the decision of farmers to export common beans. In addition, gender, marital status, experience, land size allocated for common beans, contract farming and marketing training can significantly influence the extent of common beans export. Specifically, it was observed that there’s positive impact of common beans export on farmers’ consumption expenditure. However, the export does not have any significant impact on farmers’ income and assets ownership.

The study recommends that policy attention needs to shift from supporting and regulating particular trade policies only but should rather focus on how farmers will be trained and utilize the available opportunity of common beans export market. In addition, horticultural contract farming should be strengthened by the Government and monitored by the extension officers at the grassroots.