Enhancing the quality of locally produced rice in domestic market: A survey in eastern Uganda
2015
Makosa, D. (Tokyo University of Agriculture (Japan). Graduate School of Agriculture)
This study assesses the competiveness of locally produced rice in the markets with regards to quality management, consumer demand and producer rewards. Due to its low quality, rice produced by smallholder farmers ends up in public markets since it does not qualify to enter supermarkets. Most rice from public markets is destined for home consumption and the rest for cooking in hotels and restaurants. For home consumption, demand is influenced by price more than quality. Contrarily, demand is influenced by quality more than price for hotels and restaurants. If quality does not improve, farmers risk losing their quality oriented clients. Quality improvement efforts are hampered by poor postharvest handling techniques and low farmer motivation as a result of low price premiums. Premiums paid by consumers are absorbed by the high marketing costs incurred by rural rice traders more especially brokers. Training of farmers and traders about quality and investment in rural infrastructure to reduce marketing costs are possible measures.
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