Factors Affecting Smallholder Farmers' Production and Marketing of Tomatoes (Solanum Lycopersicum L.) in North-Central Namibia

Résumé

Smallholder horticultural farmers in Namibia grow tomatoes for the global market as tomatoes offer higher returns when compared to other cash crops. The present study aimed to assess the factors constraining the production and marketing of the tomato industry in north-central Namibia. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 77 smallholder farmers selected through purposive sampling. The characteristics of the respondents were summarised using descriptive characteristics. Most farmers in the study area were males (78%). On average, farmers cultivated tomatoes on a farm size of about four ha under irrigation. Farmers produced yields at different levels that indicated less than five tonnes/ha (65.7%), 5-10 tonnes/ha (20%), and more than 10 tonnes/ha (14.3%). The decision on what to produce is based on market demand (55%). Most (86%) farmers indicated that postharvest loss due to lack of market is a problem. The main production challenges experienced by tomato producers are pests and diseases, expensive seeds, postharvest loss, and limited access to water. The study recommended that the government should have capacity-building programmes through the practical training of farmers on cultivating improved varieties of tomatoes and training on good agricultural practices, including how to reduce postharvest losses and meet global market standards.

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