Seasonality and Profitability: The Case of Smallholder Tomato Farmers in Thyolo District, Malawi

محورهای موضوعی : Extension and Economic

Daniel Matemba ¹ (University of Eastern Africa, Baraton, P.O Box 2500, 30100 Eldoret, Kenya. Malawi Adventist University, Lakeview College, P.O Box 148, Njolomole, Ntcheu, Malawi)

تاریخ دریافت : 1402/02/24 تاریخ پذیرش : 1402/03/24 تاریخ انتشار : 1402/04/09

کلید واژه: profitability, Smallholder, seasonality, Tomato Farmers,

چکیده مقاله :

This study examines the impact of seasonality on the profitability of smallholder tomato farmers in rural areas of Malawi. The Malawian government has implemented initiatives to promote horticultural crop production, including tomatoes, to reduce reliance on tobacco as the primary source of foreign exchange earnings. Using a mixed-methods approach, data from 75 participants in the Thyolo District of Malawi was collected and analyzed. The study evaluates profits in different seasons, compares average earnings in winter and summer, and investigates price variations in markets. Findings show that tomato prices are higher in summer, reflecting the inverse relationship between prices and production cycles. Tomato production remains financially viable in both seasons, but the dry season is more economically rewarding with higher gross profits. The study recommends empowering farmers to increase year-round tomato cultivation. Further research could explore factors contributing to profitability disparities between seasons and investigate the impact of weather conditions and climate change on tomato production. The findings have important implications for policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders interested in sustainable agriculture and rural development in Malawi.

منابع و مأخذ:

1. Abera, G., Ibrahim, A. M., Forsido, S. F., and Kuyu, C. G. (2020). Assessment on post-harvest losses of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentem Mill.) in selected districts of East Shewa Zone of Ethiopia using a commodity system analysis methodology. Heliyon, 6(4), e03749. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e03749.


2. Aliyu, H. B., and Ja'afar-Furo, M. R. (2020). A profit approach comparison between tomato grown under organic and inorganic methods in a typical Nigeria's soil. International Journal of Agricultural Science, Research and Technology in Extension and Education Systems (IJASRT in EESs), 10(4), 149-156. Retrieved from http://ijasrt.iau-shoushtar.ac.ir


3. Barton, B., Zlatevska, N., and Oppewal, H. (2022). Scarcity tactics in marketing: A meta-analysis of product scarcity effects. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 18. doi:10.1016/j.jretai.2022.06.003


4. Deepak, J., Waghmode, S., and Ingale. (2018). Analysis of Tomato Prices in India. International Journal of Creative Research Thoughts, 4. Retrieved June 1, 2023, from http://www.ijcrt.org/


5. Maureira, K., Rajagopalan, K., and Stöckle, C. O. (2022). Evaluating tomato production in open-field and high-tech greenhouse systems. Journal of Cleaner Production, 337, 130459. doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.130459


6. Malawi Government. (2020). Agricultural Extension Development Officers’ Handbook on Good Agricultural Practices. Lilongwe: Malawi Government.


7. Malawi Government. (2022). Agro-Economic Survey. Malawi Government.


8. Mango, N., Mapemba, L., Tchale, H., Makate, C., Dunjana, N., and Lundy, M. (2015). Comparative analysis of tomato value chain competitiveness in selected areas of Malawi and Mozambique. General and Applied Economics Research Article, 16. doi:10.1080/23322039.2015.1088429


9. Moranga, L. O. (2016). Analysis of Factors Influencing Tomato Farmers’ Willingness to Adopt Innovative Timing Approaches for Management of Climate Change Effects in Taita Taveta County, Kenya. Research in Agricultural and Applied Economics, 98. Retrieved from http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/


10. Mwangi, V., Owuor, S., Kiteme, B., and Giger, M. (2021). Assessing Smallholder Farmers Participation in the Wheat Value Chain in North-West Mt. Kenya. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 13. doi:10.3389/fsufs.2021.657744


11. Mzilahowa, V. (2010). Economic Efficiency of Tomato Production: A Case Study of Champhira Extension Planning Area in Mzimba District. BSc Degree Research Project Report, Faculty of Developmental Studies, Bunda College of Agriculture; Lilongwe, Malawi.


12. Naika, S., de Jeude, J. V., de Goffau, M., Hilmi, M., and Dam, V. B. (2019). Cultivation of tomato production, processing and marketing. Research Gate, 93. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/331167081


13. Naseer, M., Persson, T., Righini, I., Stanghellini, C., Maessen, H., Ruoff, P., and Verheul, M. (2022). Bioeconomic evaluation of extended season and year-round tomato production in Vol. 18(3), pp. 194-206, March, 2022. African Journal of Agricultural Research, 18, Article Number: C01C5E768786. doi:10.5897/AJAR2021.15893


14. Nyamba, S. Y., Kalungwizi, V. J., Mlozi, M. R. S., Busindeli, I. M., Kilima, F. T. M., Msuya-Bengesi, C. P., Chija, B. B., Mvena, Z. S. K., Gabagambi, M., Gjotterud, S. M., and Kiranga, E. (2020). Tomato value chain information system in Tanzania: Lessons from Kilolo District and Dodoma Municipality, Tanzania. International Journal of Agricultural Science, Research and Technology in Extension and Education Systems (IJASRT in EESs), 10(1), 9-15. Retrieved from http://ijasrt.iau-shoushtar.ac.ir


15. Nyalugwe, E. P., Malidadi, C., and Kabuli, H. (2022). An assessment of tomato production practices among rural farmers in major tomato growing districts in Malawi. African Journal of Agricultural Research, 18(3), 194-206. DOI: 10.5897/AJAR2021.15893. Article Number: C01C5E768786. ISSN: 1991-637X. Retrieved from http://www.academicjournals.org/AJAR.


16. Sanneh, Lamin and Babana, Amadou Hamadoun and Yaffa, Sidat. (2022). Assessment of Farmers Perception about Climate Change Impact and Adaptation Strategies Use for Tomato Production in The Gambia. Journal of Agricultural Studies. 10. 27. 10.5296/jas.v10i4.20278.


17. Siam, G., and Abdelhakim, T. (2018). Analysis of the tomato value chain in Egypt and establishment of an action plan to increase its efficiency (Research Report No. CIHEAM-IAMM). Retrieved from https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-02143775/document


18. Usman, J., and Bakari, U.M. (2013). Profitability of Dry Season Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) Production in Fufore Local Government Area of Adamawa State Nigeria. International Journal of Engineering and Science (IJES), 2(11), 113-117.


19. Viškelis, P., Urbonavičienė, D., and Viškelis, J. (Eds.). (2022). Tomato - From Cultivation to Processing Technology. Intech Open. doi: 10.5772/intechopen.100881