A Value Chain Analysis of Tabasco Chillies Grown by Smallholder Farmers in Nyanga District, Zimbabwe

Abstract

This paper traces tabasco chillies value chain through characterization, distribution of value added and determining the contribution of the crop to total farm income. Data were collected using a questionnaire at all the value chain stages analyzed. Gross margin analysis, domestic value added (DVA) and shipment value (SV) were used to analyse the data. Mapping shows that the value chain is dualized. Tabasco mash pathway has DVA/tonne as follows; farm level (US$342), semi-processing (US$343), packaging and exported tabasco mash (US$1077) and SV were US$386, US$605 and US$1205 respectively. For the dried chillies pathway, DVA/tonne was US$342 at farm level and US$426 for packaging and export while the SV were US$386 and US$511 respectively. Greatest value addition is coming from transport and export of tabasco mash, followed by packaging and export of dried chillies, farm production and semi-processing adding the least. The crop contributed 39% to farm household income.

Keywords: Tabasco chillies, Zimbabwe, value chain analysis, income analysis