Abstract
This study investigated the impact of market accessibility on household food security among smallholder maize producers in Southern Tanzania, utilizing data from a sample of 407 households primarily engaged in maize farming. Tobit and probit models assessed the relationship between food security and market access. Contrary to expectations, the findings revealed no significant association between market access and food security. Instead, the results underscored the importance of resource availability, indicating that larger farm sizes and higher household wealth indices significantly reduce the risk of food insecurity. These findings suggest that rather than focusing exclusively on enhancing market access, policymakers should prioritize strategies that foster income generation and asset accumulation for smallholder farmers. Expanding access to land, which has a positive impact on food security, emerges as a critical approach to improving rural livelihoods. The study emphasizes that supporting smallholders in strengthening their access to land and economic assets provides a more effective pathway to achieving sustained food security and economic resilience in rural Tanzania.
Recommended Citation
Kauky, Monica Sebastian
(2024)
"Does Market Accessibility Improve Household Food Security? Evidence from Small-Holder Maize Producers in Southern Tanzania,"
Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences: Vol. 13:
No.
2, Article 18.
DOI: 10.56279/13/2/7
Available at:
https://commons.udsm.ac.tz/jhss/vol13/iss2/18