Consumption of pulses among urban and rural consumers in Tanzania

Pulses are the major source of income to farmers and nutrients to people and animals. Pulses also offer natural maintenance benefits in the soil. In spite of economic and nutritional importance its consumption is low and has been decreasing over time. This study investigated not only factors underlying pulses consumption but also its consumption pattern. Data used in the analysis were collected by the National Bureau of Statistics in 2010/11 which covered 21 regions in Tanzania mainland and five regions in Island (Unguja and Pemba). A total of 3846 households were interviewed of which 2583 were from rural and 1263 from urban areas. Results from non- parametric tests show variations in pulses consumption among comparison variables except in terms of marital status. Average intake was high in the middle expenditure group, while household heads aged from 16-30 years consume less than other consumers. A double hurdle model results revealed that household sizes and education levels of the decision makers residing in rural areas had significant effect on the decision to consume pulses while the extent of consumption was influenced by their education levels, household sizes, households’ total expenditure, prices of pulses and meat. Household sizes, education levels and sex significantly affected decision to consume whereas age, education levels, household sizes and household’s total expenditure influenced the extent of consumption in urban areas. In summary, participation in pulses’ market was lower in rural than in urban areas. However, overall consumption was lower in urban than in rural areas, implying that the prospect for increasing its consumption is higher in urban than in rural areas. There is a need to devise strategies for promoting the consumption of pulses in both areas.