Challenges Hindering The Sugar Industry From Satisfying The Domestic Market In Tanzania: The Case Of Tpc Sugar Company

ABSTRACT

The study focused on the assessment of the challenges hindering sugar industry from satisfying the domestic market in Tanzania. The study employed the sample size of 114 respondents who were selected from the TPC Industry in Moshi using probability and non probability sampling. The data were collected by using survey and interview methods of data collection whereby questionnaire and interview guide were used as tools for data collection. The data generated were analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively with the help of the Statistical Packages for Social Scientists (SPSS Version 21). The findings of the study revealed that, labour scarcity, the lack of capital and the lack of sugar cane out-growers to sell to TPC is one among the challenges facing the TPC Sugar Industry. Other challenges include the unstable market, low price and delays in payment of sugar cane producers, the lack of production tools, change changes and poor sugar policy in the country. The findings also unveiled that low price for sugar cane producers, low production of sugar, illegal export of sugar are among constraints which limit the availability of sugar in the domestic market. Based on the findings from this study, the study recommended that the government should formulate a new policy to favour sugar cane producers in producing at high quality and quantity. The policy should also enable the sugar consumers‟ to access it at a lower price. The TPC Company should involve sugar cane out-growers so as to ensure the availability of sufficient sugar cane in the company. The Tanzania Sugar Board and other stakeholders should formulate new techniques so as to protect illegal sugar imports and exports. The sugar distributors should be fidelity enough to ensure that they work under the accepted rules and regulation which guide the distribution of sugar in the domestic market. Local sugar consumers should have a positive view about the sugar produced by the local industries and support the industry by buying the sugar. By doing so, they can promote their sugar rather than buying those imported from other countries even though they are sold at a lower price.