Success Determinants in Coffee Farmers’ Organizations in Tanzania
Webster Miyanda *
Hanns R. Neumann Stiftung, Open University of Tanzania, Mbeya, Tanzania.
Hamidu Shungu
Centre for Economics and Community Economic Development, Open University of Tanzania, Tanzania.
Deus Ngaruko
Centre for Economics and Community Economic Development, Open University of Tanzania, Tanzania.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This study aims at examining determinants of Success in Coffee Farmer Organisations (CFOs) in Mbeya and Kilimanjaro region. Based on FO members and expert informants interviews, the study was conducted in two FOs and outlined the importance of marketing system, transparence, FO opportunities and member commitment in influencing FOs success, it revealed that well performing FOs have several linkages including marketing, input and finance; have transparent business transactions. Descriptive statistic analysis was used to analyze the influence of (marketing system, transparence, FO opportunities and member commitment) independent variables (IVs) while MLRA methods were used to determine the significance of the same IVs on the sustaining FOs. The findings recommends that FO facilitators and producers strive in using strategies that encourage member commitment, opens several opportunities within the FO and enhance transparence in the organization’s operations. Transparence service linkages in FOs should be enhanced while marketing and member commitments engineer the overall sustainability of the organisation.
Keywords: Farmer organization, producer groups, FOs success and smallholders.