A Dissertation
Multi-stakeholder platforms (MSPs) are an increasingly popular approach used in the
agricultural research and development to stimulate stakeholders’ interaction, collaboration
and engagement in the innovation process. However, the empirical evidence on the role
played by MSPs to achieve the desired outcomes of specific food value chains is limited.
The experience shows that the outcomes of food value chains are often less than expected.
This study was designed to assess the contribution of MSPs used for sunflower value
chain upgrading in improving food security and livelihood of farmers in Dodoma Region
of Tanzania. The study was conducted in Chamwino, Kongwa and Dodoma district
councils and adopted a cross-sectional research design. Qualitative and quantitative data
were collected using household surveys, key informant interviews and focus group
discussions whereby 397 respondents were interviewed. Descriptive and inferential
statistics were computed to generate variables such as frequencies, means and
percentages. A paired samples t-test statistical analysis was performed to assess the
impact of stakeholders’ engagement processes on the performance of MSPs to achieve
desired sunflower value chain outcomes. It was found that the process of setting up
sunflower value chain MSPs capitalised on the experience of value chain support
institutions in working with multidisciplinary actors in development fields. Capacity
building interventions have improved competences and capacities of stakeholders to
deliver quality services. Furthermore, the use of MSP approach has improved social
capital, networking and trust among farmers, access to financial services, and policy
environment for sunflower business.
From 2012 to 2014, changes in sunflower
production, sunflower sales, market price and household income were statistically
significant. Various factors ranging from the structure and membership composition of
MSPs, policies and frameworks, capacities of MSPs’ members, and benefits accrued by platforms’ members also affected the performance and functioning of MSPs. In order to
improve performance of MSPs for food value chains, it is imperative to design specific
interventions aimed to strengthen the capacities of platforms’ members to improve service
delivery. To achieve a broader impact and sustainability of food value chain outcomes,
MSPs processes facilitators should always promote integrated approaches that go beyond
the specificity of specific value chains.