Effects of Non -Tariff Barriers on Maize Price Among Smallholder Farmers in Tanzania

Abstract

This research presents a comparative analysis of the effects of Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs) on prices received by maize smallholder famers in Mbozi and Momba districts in Tanzania. Cross sectional data were collected from farmers in the two districts using structured questionnaires. A two-stage stratified sampling procedures were used in selecting a sample size in which a total of 400 smallholder farmers were selected. T-test was used in comparing the effects of NTBs on farm gate prices among farmers in the two districts. Findings show that, there was a statistically significant difference between the mean NTBs effects on prices experienced by farmers in the two districts. These effects were higher for farmers in Mbozi District (as indicated by mean 6.47) than those of their counterpart farmers in Momba District. This is because more NTBs costs were incurred by farmers in Mbozi District to reach the Tunduma market. Comparatively, the mean effects of NTBs on maize prices were higher in Mbozi than those in Momba District. This was explained by Momba district being closer to Tunduma market. Basing on these results, it can be concluded that, the effects of NTBs were higher for farmers Mbozi district than those in Momba. It is recommended that, protective food policy such as weighing bridges and road blocks should be reduced in order to maintain reasonable high prices in rural areas and low prices in urban deficit centers contrary to the current situation whereby prices are lower in surplus areas and higher in deficit urban centers.