CHAPTER FOUR

PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS

4.1 Introduction
This chapter attempts to analyze the primary data collected with methodologies already
discussed in the previous chapter. The chapter is divided into three major sections of which the
first one discusses the characteristics of the respondents and the second section discusses the
specific objectives of the study.
4.2 Analysis, Discussion and Interpretation
The response rate for the survey was high. One hundred twenty (120) representing 96% of the
questionnaires were returned and respondents in all wards were equally selected. The high
response rate was due to the fact that most of the questions were simple and asked directly to the
respondents to be answered and the research could wait until the process is completed.
4.3 General Socio-Economic Characteristics of Coffee Farmers
The general description about small scale farmers gives an overview of the people who took part
in the study. In view of the researcher, these demographic and socio-economic characteristics of
respondents have so much bearing on responses given by the respondents on the state of coffee
production in the district. They have important value attributes to any society as they reflect their
behaviour in decision making and the expected responses. The general characteristics of
respondents examined in this study included age, gender, education level, main source of income
and family size to mention but some.
4.3.1 Age groups of respondents
This study considered age as an important variable since it determined various inter households
and intra households characteristics, which include ownership and control of important
resources such as land and household assets. Among the 120 respondents interviewed, majority
56(46.7%) were aged above 45 years, while 37(30.8%) were aged between 36 - 45 and others

17(5.8%) were aged between 16 and 25 respectively. The findings imply that, most of the
respondents interviewed were mature and responsible people as were found engaging in different
socio-economic activities in the area. They were therefore in a position of giving not only the
information needed, but also relevant one to meet the purpose of the study.
This was considered important because most of the demographic events that determine
population dynamics such as birth, death, dependency ratio and mobility are highly associated
with the age variable. Physical strength depends also on age. Therefore, land acquisition and
additional income can be influenced by age of a person. This indicates that majority of
respondents were in active age and they can influence land acquisition in the society and living
in rural areas means they would require land.
Table 4.1: Age groups of the respondent
Age groups
Below 16 years
Between 16 and 25 years
Between 26 and 35 years
Between 36 and 45 years
Above 45 years
Total

Frequency
3
7
17
37
56
120

Percent
2.5
5.8
14.2
30.8
46.7
100.0

Source: Field Data Survey and SPSS Output File, 2015

4.3.2 Gender of respondents

Gender significantly influences activities, resources and opportunities of people that is, by the
socio-economic and cultural dimension of being male or female (Fernando, 1998). Moreover,
different types of activities and tasks are generally allocated to women and men within the family
in terms of subsistence production and production for the market. Figure 4.1 provides a summary
of male and female proportion of the 120 surveyed respondents in Karagwe district. Results
show that majority of the respondents 73(60.8%) were male. This pattern was followed by
47(39.2%) who were female headed households. This was due to the fact that majority of the
customers attended for interviews were mostly male. Based on the obtained findings, it was
evident that more men were found mostly involved in coffee production in Karagwe district than

women. The findings were consistent with the results revealed in a study by Cheryl (2001) who
came up with similar observations with more men being involved in cash crop production than
women in Ghana. The reasons for this trend were linked to the fact that in rural areas men are
often viewed as being responsible for producing cash crops, while women are responsible for
producing substance crops for home consumption. Because of their limited access to essential
production resources, such as land, labour, and inputs, womens role in crop agriculture is often
restricted to producing subsistence food crops with low potential to generate income. Besides
this, it is believed that female farmers are very good in vegetable production and also assist their
male counterparts on their farms.
According to URT (1997), it was revealed that the proportion of women to men shows a
departure from the usual Tanzania pattern. In rural areas where 82% of women live, the
importance of women as producers of wealth is out of proportion to their number. Women as a
group are more vulnerable to health risks because of gender inequalities in terms of social and
economic domains.

Figure 4.1: Gender of respondents

Source: Field Data Survey and SPSS Output File, 2015

4.3.3 Education level of respondents
Agriculture has undergone considerable technological progress following the innovation of highyielding crop varieties and massive use of chemical fertilizers. In a rapidly changing
technological environment, education becomes even more important because farmers ability to
deal with disequlibria induced by technological change depends largely on education. This study
equally assumed that education level plays a significant role in general-skill building up. For
instance, literacy enables farmers to follow written instructions for applying chemicals, whereas
numeracy may assist in calculating correct dosages in the practices of application. Results in
Table 4.2 presents a summary of education level of respondents with respect to years spent in
schools. The results showed that out of 120 respondents interviewed, majority had attained
primary school level education 65(54.2%) while a few of them 35(29.2%) attained secondary
school education. These results indicate that, majority of the respondents who were evolved in
this study had lower levels of education. The findings are in line with a study by Croppenstedt et
al. (1998), in fertilizer marketing survey by using data of USAID, which resulted that literate
farmers are more likely to adopt use of fertilizer than those who are illiterate. Empowering rural
coffee smallholder producers to access quality education will mean empowering them to equal
opportunities to access and own resources and hence improved livelihoods. According to Mongi
(2005) education has always been valued as means of liberation from ignorance and enables a
person to perform non- traditional roles. In the study area, most of the people in villages take up
farming activities after completing their primary education. As a consequence, a high
proportional of respondents were involved in farming. This suggests therefore that, concerted
efforts must be made for the attainment of the MDGs and general empowerment of community
members if the prevailing situation is to be reversed.
Table 4.2: Education level of respondents
Variables
No school attended
Primary school education
Secondary school education
Technical/Vocational
Total

Frequency
15
65
35
5
120

Percent
12.5
54.2
29.2
4.2
100.0

Source: Field Data Survey and SPSS Output File, 2015

4.3.4 Main source of household income
Of the 120 of all respondents interviewed, 109 (90.8%) attained their income from farming. That
being the case, the need to own land as one of the very important asset for rural population
empowerment and ultimately poverty reduction becomes imperative. Indeed, if we need to
seriously address issues of poverty and food security especially among rural households, we
ought to combat the prevailing imbalance in terms of land ownership and other resources. With
reference to the study findings, only 11 (9.2%) obtained their income from business activities.
Table 4.3: Main sources of income
Variable
Farming
Petty Business
Total

Frequency
109
11
120

Percent
90.8
9.2
100.0

Source: Field Data Survey and SPSS Output File, 2015

Furthermore, when the respondents were asked on their main occupations, majority 116 (96.7%)
attained their livelihoods from farming. However, 6 (3.3%) were found engaging in petty
business as their main sources of occupation. Moreover, respondents were asked to estimate their
income attained per month. Most of them (94.2%) were below Tshs. 50,000. This results shows
that, most of the families were subject to low income earnings which could not enable them to
afford for example to pay fees for their children. A large proportion of household productive
activities were therefore just sufficient to support subsistence requirements and that,
opportunities for marketed surplus were few during the year. Meeting household's cash needs for
expenses such as school fees, buying inputs and other family requirements was a constant
challenge for most households.
Table 4.4: Occupations of Respondents
Variable
Farming
Petty Business
Total

Frequency
116
6
120

Percent
96.7
3.3
100.0

Source: Field Data Survey and SPSS Output File, 2015

4.3.5 Household Size

Household size is very important in determining the size of family labour force. Family labour
constitutes the main source of labour and sometimes, the only source of labour employed by
resource small-scale farmers (Adegeye and Dittoh, 1985). It comprises the labour of all males,
females and children in the family or household because they partake in the cultivation of the
household holdings. Labour availability is known to increase the size of land put under
cultivation, as strength of the labour availability is positively correlated with land placed under
cultivation. The figure 4.2 provides a summary of households size. Results indicate that out of
120 respondents interviewed, 70 (58%) of the respondents ranged between 2 to 5 members and
50(41.67%) ranged between 6-9 members. As shown in 4.2, results of this study indicated that,
in most cases, households size were distributed between 2 - 5 people and between 6 - 9 people.
On average therefore, the households size ranged to an average of 8 people. These results imply
that, the average household sizes were relatively higher when compared to an average household
size 4.9 of Tanzania mainland (National Bereau of Statistics [NBS], 2002). However, the
recorded family sizes are comparable to other densely populated areas in the country, such as
Lushoto and Iringa rural Districts (Ngailo et al., 2007).
Figure 4.2: Household Size

Source: Field Data Survey, 2015

4.3.6 The Existing Conditions Attached to Land Access and Coffee Production
Land is the basis for every form of physical development and constitutes the primary medium for
agricultural production (Lasun, 2006). Hence, its the farmers most important asset and plays
essential role in increasing as well as sustaining the agricultural production.
A number of land tenure systems were found in the study area. The associated effect of land
tenure system on income poverty to rural households varied significantly from one type of tenure
system to another. Customary land tenure system was found to be the most dominant type of land
holding particularly for natural pasture resource in the study area. It should be noted here
however that, the existing land tenure systems were found not favourable on part of female. With
respect to the findings in this study, out of 120 respondents 80 (66.7%) owned land between 0-3
acres. A few 26 (21.7%) owned 4-6 acres. Therefore, majority of the respondents owned between
1- 6 acres. However, the land tenure systems were male dominated when it comes to the issue of
access and ownership of resources like land.

Table 4.5: Land size owned by coffee farmers

Variables
0-3 hectares
4-6 hectares
7-9 hectares
Above 10 hectares
Total

Frequency
80
26
5
9
120

Percent
66.7
21.7
4.2
7.5
100.0

Source: Field Data Survey and SPSS Output File, 2015

The study revealed further that, there was a direct relationship between access, ownership and
control of land on one hand and improved living conditions of the people in the study area. This
implies that, strengthening people's access to land could significantly contribute to poverty
reduction and food security. This was evidenced by 90% of the respondents were engaging in
agriculture as the main source of their livelihoods.
Moreover, the question of land tenure system was revealed by other empirical studies as the main
challenge.

Some of these challenges were policy-related and institutional constraints. For

example, FAO (2009) indicated that, hopes that policies would bring about positive and durable
results remain unmet. The remaining main policy bottlenecks include those that pertain to land
tenure and land distribution to different segments of the population, marketing of agricultural
commodities and inputs, and price regulatory frameworks. In Ethiopia, for example, the
inappropriate agricultural policies related to land distribution, collectivization and rigid price
regulation have been identified as one of the constraints to investment in agriculture and hence a
handicap to productivity.
In Kenya persistently large public borrowing and high lending rates have discouraged investment
in agriculture. Even though Tanzania has instituted several agricultural reforms and strategies
including the agricultural development framework in the early 1970s and Agricultural Sector
Development Strategy (ASDS), most of the policies had no significant impact on the majority
smallholder farmers especially women. In Uganda, despite the adoption of the Plan for
Modernization of Agriculture in 2002 the smallholder farmers still receive a disproportionately
small amount of developmental resources.

No doubt, some of the inability of government to implement these programs stems from weak
administrative and technical capacity particularly in ministries of agriculture. Institutional
support to agricultural development in the four countries studied has been inconsistent and
largely inadequate. As elsewhere in Africa, institutions responsible for agricultural development
need to be strengthened, with an emphasis on well-functioning markets and risk management
(FAO, 2009).
As the experience of successful agricultural reformers shows, the importance of market oriented
reforms for sustained productivity improvements in agriculture cannot be overstated. For
example, the increase in rice output and productivity in Vietnam during 1981-1994 can be
ascribed mainly to market reforms and in spite of modest growth of most inputs and with limited
technological change. The key factor among the Vietnamese market reforms was an institutional
change reform of land property rights, which markedly improved the economic incentives of
farmers to use the land efficiently (Che et al., 2006).
At the same time, the experience of Tanzania illustrates that market reforms are necessary but not
sufficient for raising agricultural productivity. Even though the country undertook substantial
market-oriented reforms during the 1990s, agricultural performance remained disappointing. The
main bottlenecks to farmers more effective supply responses to improved incentives were
structural limited access to markets, credit and inadequate infrastructure (Danielson, 2002).
Hence the combined experiences of Vietnam and Tanzania show the importance of reforming the
institutional framework underpinning agriculture as well as the complementarities of reforms in
the area of infrastructure, access to markets and to credit.
4.4 The Effects of Agricultural Inputs Prices on Coffee Production in the Area
4.4.1 The influence of inputs purchase on coffee production
With respect to one of specific objectives of this research that intended to identify whether the
cost of agricultural inputs affect coffee production and in line with the research question asking
whether agricultural inputs prices affect coffee production in the study district. The findings of
the study indicated that out of 120 respondents, majority 116 (96.7%) were not purchasing inputs
and only 4(3.3%) purchase inputs.

Table 4.6: Inputs purchasing among the farmers

Do you purchase inputs
Yes
No
Total

Frequency
4
116
120

Percent
3.3
96.7
100.0

Source: Field Data Survey and SPSS Output File, 2015

Among the reasons attributed to this situation was on the fact that were too expensive to afford.
This was responded by a large group of respondents 80 (70.7%) of the 116 farmers who were
interviewed. This was a clear indication that, most of coffee farmers were not likely to afford the
costs by purchasing agricultural inputs. This calls for concerted efforts by the government to
support smallholder farmers producing coffee. In totality, this might be attributed to the fact that
lack of effective use of purchased inputs was part of the persistently low productivity.
Table 4.7: Reasons for not purchasing inputs
Do you purchase inputs
It is too costly
Not available
Total

Frequency
82
34
116

Percent
70.7
29.3
100.0

Source: Field Data Survey and SPSS Output File, 2015

4.4.2 Impact of agricultural inputs prices on coffee production
Availability of good quality affordable inputs is clearly a major constraint for smallholder
farmers, the study wanted to investigate the cost of inputs and their impact on smallholder coffee
production. The results are shown in Table 4.8.
Observations on the distribution indicate that majority of the farmers constituting 89 (74.2%) of
the 120 respondents agree that the prices of inputs are very high. Not only that but also a few

farmers constituting 16 (13.3%) of the total farmers said the price is average while a small
number of farmers 5 (4.2%) of respondents said the price is low and about 10 (8.3%) of the total
sample could not acknowledge on the prices of inputs. In this regard therefore, majority of
respondents were in opinion that the prices of inputs are very high. This could be the reason why
most of the farmers in Karagwe District do not use inputs for coffee production.
The results are in line with other studies pertaining to factors affecting coffee production Karanja
and Nyoro (2002) in the a study on Coffee Prices and Regulation and their Impact on
Livelihoods of Rural Community in Kenya revealed that the escalation of coffee production costs
due to major increases in the cost of purchased farm inputs as a major cause for the coffees
decline in productivity. Not only that but also, a large variety of studies in different regions of
Nigeria have identified the scarcity and high cost of inputs (labour, agrochemicals, and fertilizer)
as major impediments to raising the productivity of smallholder farmers (Ojo 2005; and Adejoh
2009).
Table 4.8: Farmers' perception on inputs prices
Variables
High
Average
Low
I don't know
Total

Frequency
89
16
5
10
120

Percent
74.2
13.3
4.2
8.3
100.0

Source: Field Data Survey and SPSS Output File, 2015

4.5 The influence of climate change on coffee production in the district
With respect to this variable, climate change was acknowledged as one of the most important
factors affecting coffee production in the area. 120 farmers responded to this question. Study
findings indicated that majority of the respondents 100 (83.3%) agreed that climate was not
predictable. In terms of production rate, majority of the respondents 75 (62.5%) was reported to
have no significant increase. That means, production rates were stagnant in a sense that no
increase was realized. The reason for this situation was attributed to the recurring drought. This
in turn was affecting more crop production.

Table 4.9: The trends of climate change in the area

Variables
Good for farming
Too dry
Too wet
Unpredictable
Total

Frequency
11
7
2
100
120

Percent
9.2
5.8
1.7
83.3
100.0

Source: Field Data Survey and SPSS Output File, 2015

The study findings indicates that agricultural production in Karagwe has experienced
unpredictable weather changes more and more frequently this often causes severe supply
problems. Based on that, the study wanted to determine if there has any increment in the amount
of coffee produced as a results climate change.
The study revealed that, on average, the output bags ranged between 1- 3 bags only 73 (60.8%).
In this regard, the respondents said that there has been no increase in the number of bags
harvested as a result of climate change. A few 27 (22.5%) reported that there was an increase in
the number of bags. Change in climatic condition contributed much on determining the level of
harvest to farmers because agricultural supply was mostly based on rain and highly dependent on
the weather. Therefore, for the farmers the annual weather differences is more important than
eventual climate change. Drought was identified as the main cause for the decrease in coffee
production.
Table 4.10: Any increase in output
Increase in bags
Yes
No
Total

Frequency
45
75
120

Percent
37.5
62.5
100.0

Source: Field Data Survey and SPSS Output File, 2015

When the respondents were asked to give their opinion/reasons as to why their crop produce
were fluctuating in terms of output per unit area, the responses were associated to occurrences of
droughts 81 (67.5%) and heavy rains 35 (29.2%). With respect to this aspect, these two aspects
were identified as the most important factors that were affecting coffee production in the area. It
was further noted that, it is important to note that current initiatives to reduce the extent of global

warming are mostly aimed at limiting further warming, not to rapidly reverse it. Complexity and
uncertainty make it hard to be precise but it is generally accepted that climate change will affect
smallholder coffee producers. Rising temperatures are expected to render certain producing areas
less suitable or even completely unsuitable for coffee growing, meaning production may have to
shift and alternative crops will have to be identified. Incidences of pests and diseases will
increase whereas coffee quality is likely to suffer, both factors that may limit the viability of
current high quality producers. More coffee may need to be grown under irrigation, thereby
increasing pressure on scarce water resources.
Table 4.11: Reasons for increased or decreased coffee output
Variables
Droughts
Heavy rains
Humidity
Temperature
Total

Frequency
81
35
2
2
120

Percent
67.5
29.2
1.7
1.7
100.0

Source: Field Data Survey and SPSS Output File, 2015

The findings are in line with other studies such as Bello et al. (2012) when investigating Climate Change Impacts on
Agriculture and Food Security in Nigeria, it was observed that, within the period of 105 years, rainfall decreased by
81 mm with increasing temperature of 1.1. The unpredictability of rainfall and steadily increasing air temperature
were observed from 1971-2005. Christina and Mahama (2012) observed changing rainfall patterns over the past 2030 in the research villages in Ghana: an increase in heavy rainfall causing floods; a delay of the rainy season; and an
increase of the occurrence of dry spells associated with higher temperatures. The majority of the household
respondents in the research site mentioned that changing rainfall patterns have a negative effect on crop production
and in turn worsen the economic situation of the household. Dry spells and heavy rainfall events during critical
stages in the planting season can negatively affect crop production, leading to reduced yields or harvest losses, and
ultimately resulting in food shortages. Craparo (2015) revealed that + 1.42 C increase in temperatures has led to
Arabica yield decrease of 195 kg/ha in Tanzania, with many farmers in Tanzania giving up on coffee completely.

The unpredictability of rainfall and steadily increasing air temperature is posing threats to
agricultural production in Karagwe of the climate-dependent nature of agricultural systems and
lack of coping capabilities. Climate change impact studies have shown that the productivity of
agricultural activities is highly sensitive to climate change. The effect of changes in climate on
agricultural activities both physical and economic has been shown to be significant for low input
farming systems, such as subsistence farming in developing countries in Sub-Saharan Africa that

are located in marginal areas and have the least capacity to adapt to changing climatic conditions
(Rosenzweig and Parry, 1994; Reilly and Schimmelpfennig 1999; Kates 2000; and McGuigan et
al., 2002).
4.6 The influence of market policy reforms on coffee production in the area
Following structural adjustment reforms, Tanzania implemented substantial liberalization of
export crop markets, dissolving marketing boards and allowing private agents to operate as
traders and exporters. The transition from government controlled policies to liberalized markets
has been in operation for most developing countries since 1980, but the impacts of these policies
on agricultural productivity are not clearly understood. For that reason the study wanted to know
what contribution does market policy reforms has to smallholder coffee production in Karagwe.
Results are shown in Table 4.12.

Table 4.12: Impact of coffee market reforms

Variable
Increased price
Market for the produce
Not benefited at all
Total

Frequency
72
22
26
120

Percent
60.0
18.3
21.7
100.0

Source: Field Data Survey and SPSS Output File, 2015

Out of the 120 respondents, it was observed that 72(60%) said to have benefited from the market
policy reform through increased price, 26(21.7%) said that farmers have benefited through
increased market for the coffee produced, while 22(18.3%) did not benefit from the market
policy reforms at all. Therefore majority of the farmers that is 72(60%) have benefited from
market reforms through increased price.
From the study findings, it was also revealed that farmers can now sell coffee through different
market channels, majority 101(84.2%) sold their coffee to private traders depended on private
traders. A few of them sold their output to co-operatives 19(15.8%). This implies that now
farmers have a wide market for the output especially private traders and the can sell their output

to those who offer highest prices, unlike how it before liberalisations where farmers could only
sell to one price set by the co-operatives.
Table 4.13: Marketing channels
Variables
Co-operatives
Private traders
Total

Frequency
19
101
120

Percent
15.8
84.2
100.0

Source: Field Data Survey and SPSS Output File, 2015

The findings are consistent with the empirical literature which attests to the significant
achievements of agricultural market reforms, which have included both the withdrawal of state
agencies from pricing and marketing activities and the relaxation of regulatory restrictions on
private trade. These achievements are, notably, increased entry by private traders into agricultural
trade, reduced marketing margins, increased producer prices, and the improved transmission of
price signals in the economy (Barrett, 1994; Jones, 1996; Beynon et al, 1992).
Furthermore, when the respondents were asked to give their opinion on the level of awareness on
market reforms, observations on indicate that majority 98 (81.7%) were aware of the reforms.
Table 4.14: Awareness on market reforms
Variable
Yes
No
Total

Frequency
98
22
120

Percent
81.7
18.3
100.0

Source: Field Data Survey and SPSS Output File, 2015

4.7 The effects of Coffee Price Volatility on Coffee Production in the Area
With respect to this aspect, the study findings indicated that commodity prices were affecting
farmers because of their impact on variables such as income. In this regard, commodity price
volatility was considered as one among the sources of vulnerability. This was so as it was
attributed to the decrease of commodity prices and the absence of a predictable trend increased
the challenge of how to maximize gains in a volatile environment. The price of goods plays a
crucial role in determining an efficient distribution of resources in a market system (Kwame,

2013). Price acts as a signal for shortages and surpluses which help farmers respond to changing
market conditions, the study wanted to know impact of price volatility on smallholder coffee
production. Results are shown in Table 4.14.

Table 4.15: Impact of price volatility on production

Impact

Frequency

Percent

Poor Farmers Livelihood

26

21.7

Demotivated to produce more

35

29.2

Low individual income

59

49.2

Total

120

100.0

Source: Field Data Survey and SPSS Output File, 2015

The study findings revealed that the price of agricultural product has a strong impact on coffee
production. Out 120 farmers who responded (Table 4.14) 59 (49.2%) said price volatility has led
to low individual incomes. Low Per capital incomes of farmer leaves farmers in a situation that
cannot afford to meet their basic needs which are: to purchase food, clothes and shelter also
taking their children to school as well as acquiring better health services. It was also pointed out
by 35 (29.2%) that price volatility has demotivated the farmers to increase output; The research
observed that some of the farmers were discouraged to the extent that had cut down the coffee
trees and planted other crops like bananas, maize and beans helped them to maintain their
income and meet their basic needs. Furthermore, 26 (21.7%) commented that price has led to
poor famers livelihood. It was observed that majority of the farmers live in poor houses, have no
access to pure water, infrastructure and health services. The findings are in line with the study of
Huka et al. (2014) on Price Fluctuation of Agricultural Products and its Impact on Small Scale
Farmers Development in Kilimanjaro. Findings showed that price fluctuation of agricultural
product is a challenge towards achievement of small scale famers development which results to
loss of capital and farmers shifting to other production activities.

The study also investigated the price at which the farmers sold their output last season
(2013/2014). Observations on the distribution indicated that majority of the farmers 96 (80.0%)
were selling their coffee at price equals to Tshs. 1200 per kilogram. About 15 (12.5%) of the
farmers were selling their coffee at Tshs. 1000 per kilogram, while 5 (4.2%) sold coffee at 800
per kilogram, and about 3 (2.5%) sold coffee at 1300 per kilogram. Very few ranging from 1
(0.8%) sold coffee at 900 per kilogram. Therefore, majority of respondents sold their coffee at
Tshs. 1200 per kilogram as shown in the Table below.
Table 4.16: Coffee prices offered per kilogram
Price (Tshs)
800
900
1000
1200
1300
Total

Frequency
5
1
15
96
3
120

Percent
4.2
.8
12.5
80.0
2.5
100.0

Source: Field Data Survey and SPSS Output File, 2015

4.8 Other factors affecting smallholder coffee production in Karagwe District
In this study, it was important to consider other factors which were affecting coffee production in
the area. As shown in the table below, respondents were asked to rank the most serious factors
affecting the trend of coffee production. Of 120 respondents interviewed, majority 40 (33.3%)
acknowledged that there was inadequate extension services as a barrier to enhance increased
production. Inadequate financial services were earmarked as the second factor 25 (20.8%)
affecting coffee smallholder producers. The prevalence of pests and diseases was also ranked
high 22 (18.3%). The distribution of agricultural inputs was not that much ranked as a serious
problem 16 (13.3%). The results of the study suggest therefore that, constructive measures must
be undertaken by the government to ensure that extension services are effectively provided to
farmers.

Table 4.17: Other factors affecting coffee production

Variable

Frequency

Percent

Pest and diseases

22

18.3

Inadequate extension services

40

33.3

Inadequate agricultural inputs

16

13.3

Inadequate financial service

25

20.8

Soil exhaustion

2.5

Limited land

2.5

Coffee export restriction

5.0

Poor transport network

4.2

120

100.0

Total

Source: Field Data Survey and SPSS Output File, 2015

These findings are in line with those revealed by studies by Katenga et al. (2014) and Nederlof
and Wennink, (2010) respectively. It was shown that Agricultural extension describes the
services that provide rural people with the access to knowledge and information they need to
increase productivity and sustainability of their production systems and improve their quality of
life and livelihoods. Extension services contributed to strengthening the assets of the rural poor
and hence adapting and sustaining their livelihoods in a changing context. This study observed
that there was a problem of access to agricultural services by coffee farming households in the
study area. This situation has resulted in fewer (20.7%) sampled households to access
agricultural extension service in the past one year. The respondents attributed this problem to
shortage of agricultural extension workers in the District in such a way that most of the wards
have only one agricultural extension worker. Therefore bigger wards like Bureza which contains
four villages face an up-hill task to provide services to its citizens as one extension worker has to
lender services to about 1,590 households in the ward. This situation has caused most of
households (79.3%) in the study village not to access extension services that could have boosted
their coffee production levels. The findings concurs with the observation by other studies that
found out that most farmers in Tanzania still lack access to extension services as the number of
extension workers is inadequate in most districts. The number of agricultural households that
received crop extension was 20% of total crop growing households in Kagera region.