The Future of Smallholder Farming in Eastern Africa - Uganda ...

markets with minor gaps in data series were used to construct complete time series. Gaps
were filled by combining data from various sources, and occasionally, where only one data
point was found to be missing, by interpolating through averaging the preceding and
succeeding observations. Nine data points and no more than two for each of the six series
were filled this manner. The problem of data inconsistency and missing observations was
particularly acute for the preliberalization period, hence the short period considered. Usable
price series were constructed for six markets: Kitale in Trans Nzoia, Migori and Awendo in
Migori, Kiritiri and Siakago in Mbeere, and Nairobi.
Primary data on marketing costs were collected from maize traders in market sites in the four
districts chosen for this study. These sites are listed in Table 2.
Table 2--Maize marketing study sites
Zone District Study sites
Major surplus zone Trans-Nzoia Gituamba, Endebess, Kesogon,
Sibanga, Kitale, Kachibora
Kiminini
Minor surplus zone Migori Muhururu, Sori, Olasi, Wath Ong’er,
Giribe, Bondo Nyironge, Mukuro, Migori
Town, Ogwedhi, Kakrao, Oria, Oyani
Maasai, Awendo, Dede, Rongo, Opapo
Minor deficit zone Mbeere Ishiara, Siakago, Kiritiri, Karaba,
Makima, Ngiri, Kanyuambora, Kerii,
Gachuriri, Makutano
Major deficit zone Nairobi Kibera, Kawangware, Nyamakima,
Gikomba, Kangemi, Korogocho, Githurai,
Kahawa West
Source: Authors’ survey, 2001.
A structured questionnaire was used to collect information on infrastructure and government
policies in facilitating or impeding the private sector’s ability to respond to liberalization.
Informal interviews with key informants in maize marketing provided general information on
the maize subsector. In particular, discussions were held with key personnel in the policy
decision making process, including officials in the Ministries of Agriculture, Finance,
Planning and National Development, Office of the President, and NCPB. These discussions
served two important purposes. First, the officials provided important insights into the
policymaking and implementation process as it relates to the maize subsector. Second, the
interviews served to create awareness on the part of the officials about the study. We hope
that this awareness will enhance goodwill and increase the likelihood that the results of the
study will be applied in the policymaking process.
2.3 Methods of Data Analysis
2.3.1 Preamble
Liberalization of agricultural markets affects the nature and efficiency of the market itself.
Reform has observable effects on, among other things, agricultural price levels, the extent of
price transmission between markets or market integration, the stability or volatility of market
prices, changes in the size of marketing margins, and investments by private traders and other
efforts to improve the functioning of markets (Kherallah et al. 2002). This study addresses a
number of these issues through a comparative analysis of the preliberalization and