Expanding Perspectives on the Poverty Trap for Smallholder Farmers in Tanzania: The Role of Rural Input Supply Chains

Elizabeth Eldridge, Marie-Eve Rancourt, Ann Langley and Dani Héroux
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Elizabeth Eldridge: Department of Logistics and Operations Management, HEC Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 2A7, Canada
Marie-Eve Rancourt: Department of Logistics and Operations Management, HEC Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 2A7, Canada
Ann Langley: Department of Management, HEC Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 2A7, Canada
Dani Héroux: Department of Logistics and Operations Management, HEC Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 2A7, Canada

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 9, 1-34

Abstract: Smallholder farmers across rural landscapes remain trapped in a vicious cycle of endemic poverty where interconnected challenges limit their ability to improve their livelihoods. Our study of smallholder farmers’ relationships with suppliers and several stakeholders across the Tanzanian rural agro-input supply chain offers an extended perspective on the persistence of endemic poverty and broadens the discussion on the future of sustainable food production and smallholder livelihoods. Through interviews and focus groups, we use a grounded theory methodology to develop a systemic approach to understanding the complexities of this landscape as related to smallholder agro-input sourcing activities. Our causal loop diagram framework provides a unique perspective on the poverty trap experienced by smallholder farmers in this context. Our findings may be useful in targeting practical and sustainable directions towards overcoming the poverty trap, ultimately enabling smallholders to increase wealth and improve their livelihoods through sustainable practices.

Keywords: smallholder farmer; input sourcing; Tanzania; poverty reduction; grounded theory; rural agriculture (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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