An Assessment Of The Performance Of Input Voucher Subsidies In Maize Production In Mbeya District

ABSTRACT

This research was aimed to make an assessment of the performance of input voucher

subsidies in maize production in Mbeya district. The specific objectives aimed to

examine the nature and extent of input voucher subsidies system practices for maize

cultivation in Mbeya district, to identify the hurdles experienced by smallholder

farmers in availing the input voucher subsidies system and to bring out the

challenges in making the input voucher subsidies system achieve its aim of

increasing the maize production. The study adopted a cross-sectional research design

whereby data were collected at once. Primary data were collected through survey

method using a questionnaire and interview method using an interview guide. The

study was covering 85 maize farmers selected from two villages i.e. Songwe

viwandani and Idiga in Mbeya district. This district was selected to represent similar

Tanzanian districts which had maize farmers who received inputs though voucher

system. The research findings revealed that, the performance of input voucher

subsidies system on maize production was not satisfactory because for majority

farmers the impact of agricultural input voucher was really unseen. It was claimed

that the benefits of the vouchers were captured by powerful people, such as Village

Voucher Committee members, financially capable farmers and few powerful local

politicians.

The study recommended that in order to realize the vitality of input voucher

subsidies to maize farmers, inputs need to be distributed to maize farmers at the right

time. Also strong strategies needed to be taken to reduce corrupt practices such as

voucher being distributed to the people who were not intended by the program or few

powerful people, such as Village Voucher Committee members who were using the

vouchers mostly for their own use.