The honest 'middleman' brokering deals

Bahati Tweve: The honest 'middleman' brokering deals. New Agriculturist feature on strengthening market linkages, July 2008

Bahati Tweve, a farmer in the southern highlands of Tanzania, is also known locally as a Mkulima shushushu: a market spy. Tweve helps his fellow farmers gather market intelligence: information on prices, the types of produce in demand, the quantity and quality of produce, and potential buyers. Armed with this information, farmers are able to make informed choices about what to supply and bypass the middlemen, who prey on their lack of market knowledge.

Strengthening market linkages is at the core of the Tanzanian government's efforts to improve rural livelihoods in a seven-year IFAD-supported initiative known as the Agricultural Marketing Systems Development Programme (AMSDP). The First Mile Project is built on the foundations established by AMSDP, particularly on its work to strengthen the organisation, leadership and financial management of producer groups.

Full article at http://www.new-agri.co.uk/08/04/focuson/focuson2.php