The role of women in the promotion of agriculture and industrial development in Tanzania has recently become paramount. The existing studies on the role of women in agriculture sector have dominantly focused on challenges and opportunities and ignored the determinants and extent of their participation in agro-processing sector. This study was therefore set to examine the determinants and extent of Women participation in Agro-Processing Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Dar es Salaam Tanzania. Using a cross-sectional research design, the study gathered data from a total of 184 women agro-enterprises SMEs in Dar es Salaam. The analysis employed Double hurdle model for the determinants of participation in the first stage (probit model). This was followed by determining the extent of participation by using Truncated Regression Model. The study found that, different socio-economic and institutional factors affect participation and extent of women participation in agro-processing activities. Based on these findings, the study recommends policy that supports inclusion of women in the agro-processing sector; strengthen Women groups and cooperatives at the processing level and provide expert visits and consultations. Such measures will certainly facilitate a significant improvement in the agro-processing sector. The study further capitalizes the need for capacity building in entrepreneurship and agro-processing and coordinated institutions and policies to support women engagement in agro-processing activities.
Related Articles
Taxation and Business Development in Zanzibar: Insights from a Business Survey
The private sector is a critical driver of economic growth in Tanzania. The government has expressed a strong commitment to fostering a vibrant business environment while ensuring sufficient public resources for economic development. However, balancing taxation and business growth remains a challenge. This report presents findings from a survey of businesspeople in Zanzibar, examining their […]
Enhancing Food Security among Smallholders through Climate-Smart Agriculture in Tanzanian Arid Regions
Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) has been proposed as an approach to mitigate some of the threats emanating from climatic changes and guide agriculture management in the era of climate change. This study aimed to (a) assess the CSA practices and technologies and their impacts on household food security among smallholders in Tanzania’s arid and semi-arid agroecological […]
Assessing Small – Scale Fisher’s Use of Traditional Knowledge for Climate Adaptation in Southern Coastal Areas
The study aimed to assess small-scale fishers’ use of traditional knowledge for climate adaptation in Lindi and Mtwara regions located in the Southern Coastal areas of Tanzania. The study used a qualitative research approach wherein in-depth interviews, focus group discussions and observation were used to collect data. Climate change affects fishing activities since rainfall is […]
Evaluating Indigenous Knowledge in Reducing Tomato PHL in Morogoro Region: Case Studies from Mvomero and Morogoro Districts
Tomatoes are one of the most widely consumed vegetables in sub-Saharan Africa, valued for their essential vitamins and minerals. This study assessed the effectiveness of Indigenous Handling Practices (IHP) in reducing post-harvest losses (PHL) in the tomato subsector. Specifically, it examined indigenous handling methods, growers’ perceptions, and factors influencing the adoption of these practices. READ […]