An assessment of the performance of input voucher subsidies in Maize production in Mbeya district

Mtekele, Nuhu

dc.creator	Mtekele, Nuhu
dc.date	2019-08-29T09:16:50Z
dc.date	2019-08-29T09:16:50Z
dc.date	2013
dc.date.accessioned	2022-10-20T12:07:39Z
dc.date.available	2022-10-20T12:07:39Z
dc.identifier	Mtekele, N. (2013). An assessment of the performance of input voucher subsidies in Maize production in Mbeya district. Dodoma: The University of Dodoma
dc.identifier	http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12661/1281
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12661/1281
dc.description	Dissertation (MA Development Studies)
dc.description	This research was aimed to make an assessment of the performance of input voucher subsidies in maize production in Mbeya district. The specific objectives aimed to examine the nature and extent of input voucher subsidies system practices for maize cultivation in Mbeya district, to identify the hurdles experienced by smallholder farmers in availing the input voucher subsidies system and to bring out the challenges in making the input voucher subsidies system achieve its aim of increasing the maize production. The study adopted a cross-sectional research design whereby data were collected at once. Primary data were collected through survey method using a questionnaire and interview method using an interview guide. The study was covering 85 maize farmers selected from two villages i.e. Songwe viwandani and Idiga in Mbeya district. This district was selected to represent similar Tanzanian districts which had maize farmers who received inputs though voucher system. The research findings revealed that, the performance of input voucher subsidies system on maize production was not satisfactory because for majority farmers the impact of agricultural input voucher was really unseen. It was claimed that the benefits of the vouchers were captured by powerful people, such as Village Voucher Committee members, financially capable farmers and few powerful local politicians. The study recommended that in order to realize the vitality of input voucher subsidies to maize farmers, inputs need to be distributed to maize farmers at the right time. Also strong strategies needed to be taken to reduce corrupt practices such as voucher being distributed to the people who were not intended by the program or few powerful people, such as Village Voucher Committee members who were using the vouchers mostly for their own use.
dc.publisher	The University of Dodoma
dc.subject	Mbeya
dc.subject	Maize
dc.subject	Zea mays
dc.subject	Maize production
dc.subject	Voucher subsidies
dc.subject	Maize cultivation
dc.title	An assessment of the performance of input voucher subsidies in Maize production in Mbeya district
dc.type	Dissertation