Abstract:
Sunflower seed production has been a response of rising demand for sunflower oil in the local
and export market of Tanzania. The use of certified sunflower seeds has increased production of
sunflower oil among the producers for local and export market. This work aimed at investigating
the socio-economic determinants affecting sunflower seed production in Singida region of
Tanzania. The cross-section research design with a sample size of 140 respondents was used to
obtain information regarding determinants of sunflower seed production in the study area. The
findings of the study shows that, the level of technology used by seed producers and suppliers
(P<0.01), the use of skilled labor in the factories (P<0.05), the market demand (P<0.01),
disasters and diseases (P<0.01) were the key factors having a direct effect on sunflower seed
production. The extent of seed production was measured based on tons of seeds produced in the
years 2016 to 2020, and the study also found that sunflower seed production was low compared
to the market demand at the same period. The study concluded that the rate of sunflower seed
production and supply in the market can be increased by upgrading the technology used in
sunflower seed value chain in Tanzania |
