Analysis of social-economic factors affecting cashew nut production in Ruangwa District, Tanzania
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2014
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Mzumbe University
Abstract
The study was concerned with the analysis of socio-economic factors affecting cashew nut production with special reference to Ruangwa District Council. Data collection was through structured questionnaire administered to 200 respondents selected through random sampling technique. The overall aim of this study was to investigate the socio- economic factors that affect production of cashew nuts in Ruangwa District. The study objective was realized through the utilization of the multiple linear regression models since model consisted seven variables, F-test and Z-test were used to test the overall significance of the variables. The main objective in using this technique was to predict the variability of the dependent variable based on its covariance with all the independent variables. The methods of analysis used were descriptive statistics and production function analysis using the Ordinary Least Square (OLS) criterion to estimate the parameters of the production function. Econometric techniques were used to estimate the determinants of cashew production. Linear regression analysis using SPSS (16) and STATA (9) software programs were employed for the modeling of cashew nut production as determined by postulated determinants and to assess the relative importance of various variables. Results showed that majority of the farmers were female engaged in cashew nut production. Cashew nut farming was the main activity as a minimum farm size was 4.125 acres. Results further revealed that farm size (acreage) physical capital, fertilizer, price, extension services, primary education were positively related to cashew output while labour and secondary education were inversely related. Based on findings, the study recommend that the government should emphasize on following in order to increase the production of cashew nut including: increase of land size for the purpose of increasing marginal productivity, use of fertilizers, provision of credits to farmers and improvement of infrastructures including roads, communication infrastructures and energy.
Description
A dissertation submitted to Mzumbe University as a partial fulfillment of the requirement for the award of Master’s Degree of Science in Economics (PPM) of Mzumbe University.
Keywords
Social - economic, Ruangwa District, Cashew nut
Citation
APA