MANAGEMENT AND PERFORMANCE OF CARROTS VALUE CHAINS IN KENYA’S CURRENT DOMESTIC AND REGIONAL MARKETS IN UGANDA AND TANZANIA
Author: Mary Mokami Chacha
ABSTRACT
Aim: The aim of this studies is to analyses and understand the carrot value chain actors and their characteristics while participating in production, distribution, marketing, and sales of carrots. This mapping will help the reader to understand how carrot value chain is performing in terms of productivity, employability and responsiveness on profit, cost structures, food safety and information flows across the value chain.
Scope: The studies was conducted in Kenya focusing on the major counties producing carrots by following carrot value pathways from production to consumption across East Africa community markets.
Study design: The study used secondary data and various statistic from past and current studies conducted by different referenced researchers and writers from Kenya, and other researchers in the world on carrot value chains in Kenya. Various information was reviewed and used in this study to identify actors location in the specified counties in Kenya across the value chain, then M4P tool book and value link guideline was used to map the physical process in the value chain while characterizing the actors and activities in each process, The study also used the recent data to show linkages and coordination of carrot value chain actor and the direction of product and information flow across the value chain, this was followed by gross margin analysis while considering carrot productivity and efficiencies in each process. Excel techniques used to plot and analyze the data.
This study also reviewed the role of enabling business environment and the current stakeholder supporting the carrot value chain for up scaling and sustainability, this was done through swot analysis to show the level of influence and interest. Environmental impact assessment was also reviewed and possible externalities identified. Key findings on carrot value chain were highlighted and recommendation suggested on areas for improvement, then conclusion was drawn on carrot value chain performance level.
Limitation: There is limited literature on the carrot value chain in Kenya and even where it exists it is always bundled with other vegetable like turnips. Potatoes and peas, time allocated for this study was short and limiting as well.