CHALLENGES FACING TRANSPORTATION OF URBAN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES SUPPLY CHAIN CONTINUUM IN DAR ES SALAAM, TANZANIA

Supply chain, transportation, challenges, fruits and vegetables, urban areas

Abstract

Despite the critical role played by transportation in the supply chain of urban fresh fruits and vegetable, poor
transportation continues to threaten the supply chain of fruits and vegetables. This study examined challenges of
transportation in the supply chain of urban fresh fruits and vegetables in Dar es Salaam City, with a major focus on
handling, connection and distribution. Qualitative approach was adopted and data were drawn from a purposive sample
of 65 respondents using interviews, Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and non-participant observation. Thematic analysis
was adopted with the help of MAXQDA 10 software. Findings, proved that transportation challenges were related to
inappropriate handling tools, poor transport technology, inadequate knowledge of handling fruits and vegetables by
the workers, inadequate number of transportation vehicles and poor maintenance of storage facilities. It was further
reported that inadequate road network and connectivity characterised by remote location of the farms, poorly
constructed roads and bridges, narrow roads, geographical constraints as well as lack of appropriate transport system
challenged the transportation role. Other challenges were related to lack of information exchange mechanism,
inadequate distribution system resulting from absence of distribution and central storage, corruption and bribery, as
well as lack of insurance cover. The study advocates for the provision of handling tools, special vehicles for transporting
these produce, improvement of road infrastructures, introduction of processing industries and provision of insurance
cover to intermediaries. It further proposes to institutions responsible for curbing corruption such as the PCCB and
police to address corruption challenge.