Short answer
Designers and engineers should consider the socio-economic and environmental context of small-scale producers when developing agricultural solutions, focusing on robustness, accessibility, and cost-effectiveness.
- Field
- Commercial Production
- Source
- Asian Journal of Agricultural Extension Economics & Sociology (2020)
- Method
- Cross-sectional study using structured questionnaires and farm budgetary techniques.
- Sample
- 240 participants
- Evidence
- Strong effect
Despite a strong return on investment for rice producers in Tanzania, profitability is constrained by factors such as weather variability, limited access to irrigation, and unstable market prices. This commercial production research insight is drawn from a 2020 study published in Asian Journal of Agricultural Extension Economics & Sociology. Using Cross-sectional study using structured questionnaires and farm budgetary techniques. with 240 participants, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Designers and engineers should consider the socio-economic and environmental context of small-scale producers when developing agricultural solutions, focusing on robustness, accessibility, and cost-effectiveness.
Rice production in Tanzania yields a 160% return on investment, but faces significant viability challenges.
Despite a strong return on investment for rice producers in Tanzania, profitability is constrained by factors such as weather variability, limited access to irrigation, and unstable market prices.
Asian Journal of Agricultural Extension Economics & Sociology · 2020
Key Findings
- 01Average total cost, gross margin, and net farm income were TZS 846,450, TZS 1,484,175, and TZS 1,357,975 respectively.
- 02Profitability index, return on investment, capital turnover, and benefit-cost ratio were 9.5%, 160, 2.6, and 3.1 respectively.
- 03Key constraints identified include weather variability, lack of irrigation access, price instability, limited access to agricultural information and technology, and poor access to production inputs.
Application
Design takeaway
Designers and engineers should consider the socio-economic and environmental context of small-scale producers when developing agricultural solutions, focusing on robustness, accessibility, and cost-effectiveness.
How to apply
When designing agricultural equipment or support systems for developing regions, prioritize features that mitigate risks associated with unpredictable weather, limited infrastructure, and fluctuating market prices.
Project actions
- 01When researching a product's market, consider not just the potential profit but also the practical challenges users might face.
- 02Think about how external factors like weather or market prices could impact the success of a designed product.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Uses established economic analysis techniques (Farm Budgetary Techniques).
- +Employs a statistical method (Kendall's coefficient of concordance) to identify key factors.
Limitations
The findings are specific to rice production in Tanzania and may not apply to other crops or regions. The study does not delve into the specific technological or design-related aspects of the constraints.
Reliability & validity
The use of structured questionnaires and established analytical techniques lends reliability and validity to the findings regarding economic performance and identified constraints.
Think critically
How might a design intervention specifically address the identified constraints of weather variability and lack of irrigation to improve the profitability and sustainability of rice production?
Design Principles
"Design for resilience and accessibility in resource-constrained environments."
Understanding the economic viability of agricultural production is crucial for designing sustainable food systems and supporting small-scale producers. Identifying key constraints allows for targeted interventions that can improve efficiency and resilience.
What This Means for Your Design
Even though growing rice in Tanzania can make a lot of money (160% return on investment!), farmers face big problems like not enough rain, bad irrigation, and prices changing a lot.
How to use in your project
- 1.Use this study to justify the importance of considering external economic and environmental factors when analyzing the feasibility of a design solution.
- 2.Cite the identified constraints as potential areas where a new design could offer a solution or improve existing conditions.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
This research highlights that even in profitable sectors like rice production in Tanzania, significant external factors such as weather variability, limited infrastructure (e.g., irrigation), and market price instability act as major constraints to economic viability. This underscores the importance of considering such contextual challenges when developing and evaluating design solutions, as a product's success is intrinsically linked to the operational environment and economic realities of its users.
Source
Asian Journal of Agricultural Extension Economics & Sociology
Profitability Analysis of Rice Production, Constraints and Consumption Shares by Small-scale Producers in Tanzania
journal · 2020
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about rice production in tanzania yields a 160% return on investment, but faces significant viability challenges?
- Designers and engineers should consider the socio-economic and environmental context of small-scale producers when developing agricultural solutions, focusing on robustness, accessibility, and cost-effectiveness. Evidence: Asian Journal of Agricultural Extension Economics & Sociology (2020).
- Why does "Rice production in Tanzania yields a 160% return on investment, but faces significant viability challenges." matter for design?
- Understanding the economic viability of agricultural production is crucial for designing sustainable food systems and supporting small-scale producers. Identifying key constraints allows for targeted interventions that can improve efficiency and resilience.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Designers and engineers should consider the socio-economic and environmental context of small-scale producers when developing agricultural solutions, focusing on robustness, accessibility, and cost-effectiveness.
- What were the main findings?
- Average total cost, gross margin, and net farm income were TZS 846,450, TZS 1,484,175, and TZS 1,357,975 respectively.. Profitability index, return on investment, capital turnover, and benefit-cost ratio were 9.5%, 160, 2.6, and 3.1 respectively.. Key constraints identified include weather variability, lack of irrigation access, price instability, limited access to agricultural information and technology, and poor access to production inputs.
- What research method was used?
- Cross-sectional study using structured questionnaires and farm budgetary techniques. with 240 participants.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2020 journal from Asian Journal of Agricultural Extension Economics & Sociology.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When designing agricultural equipment or support systems for developing regions, prioritize features that mitigate risks associated with unpredictable weather, limited infrastructure, and fluctuating market prices.
- What are the limitations?
- The study is cross-sectional, capturing a snapshot in time and not accounting for year-to-year variations. The focus is on specific districts, limiting generalizability to all of Tanzania.