The causes and detrimental effects associated with the use of 'fake' inputs and seeds to the smallholder farmers in Tanzania

This paper attempts to study the causes and detrimental effects of using fake agro-inputs and seeds by using primary survey data collected from four regions of Tanzania. The study employed mixed methods of data collection entailing secondary review of the relevant documents in the seed input sector. It involved an intensive field survey using structured questionnaire tool as well as consultative interviews/meeting with all key informants across the entire agro-inputs and seeds value chain in Mbeya, Morogoro, Njombe and Arusha regions. The achieved sample size of this study were total of 495 people from selected different categories including famers, input dealers, research institutions, seed producers and Apex bodies- regulators in the country. The study applied sampling procedures of both random and systematic sampling throughout the entire seed value chain. The data collected were descriptively analyzed by the help of the computer program known as Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). The causes that are accelerating the existence of fake agro-inputs and seeds in the markets include the shortage of improved certified seeds in the market whereby the businessmen take advantage of this situation to falsify brands and sell these to unsuspecting farmers at exorbitant prices thus masking the inferior quality perception; also, farmers perceive the cost of certified seeds/inputs to be high, they do not understand the value proposition for buying improved seeds ending up buying fake seeds sold at low prices. Besides, there are a number of detrimental effects including social effects such as household food insecurities; failed marriages attributed to crop failures. The economic effects were decreased income of up to 60 percent and in some instances, up to 90% due to crop failures; reduced individual and household purchasing power; most households depend on the sale of crops to smoothen their cash flows. The environmental effects include; decreased soil fertility leading to reduced productivity and loss of biodiversity. Therefore, the study recommends the creation of supportive business environments for investment in production of various seed varieties production to increase supply as well as strengthening the regulatory authority bodies for enforcement of the laws and regulations that will regulate the agro-inputs and seeds markets in the country.