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SELECTION OF AN UNSUITABLE CROP
A horticultural
export company in Tanzania suddenly found a big overseas market
for paprika chillies, a crop which is new to the area, expensive
to grow and difficult to dry. Many farmers were recruited to grow
chillies but most failed to control an unexpected pest attack. Harvesting
came at a time when family labour was fully employed on other tasks.
Women were reluctant to dry the crop because of the unpleasant effect
of chillies on hands and eyes. The company had little experience
of growing the crop and was unable to help. It failed to meet its
export quota and the marketing agreement was cancelled. Company,
farmers and facilitating NGO all suffered big losses and damage
to their reputations.
Analysis:
The crop was unfamiliar to smallholders and the production technology
risky and not compatible with other parts of the production system.
Women were disadvantaged. The company could not redress these deficiencies
so the enterprise collapsed.
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Adapted
from: FAIDA, Tanzania, Linking Farmers to Markets, An Operational Manual
(forthcoming)
Related
Information: Case study on suitable
crop selection
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