Accessibility of Institutional Support to Nonfarm Micro Manufacturing Enterprises in Rural Tanzania

Abstract

This study contributes to understanding of how the rural nonfarm micro manufacturing enterprises in Tanzania access institutional support for their growth and survival. It aimed at exploring the extent to which rural nonfarm micro manufacturing enterprises access support and approaches that the responsible public institutions are using to provide support for them. A total of 62 micro manufacturing enterprises were sampled for this study. Primary data were collected using questionnaire, semi-structured interview and observation. Secondary data were collected through review of relevant documents and policies. Qualitative data were analysed through content while quantitative data were analysed through SPSS. Results indicate low level of accessibility of institutional support to rural micro manufacturing enterprises from responsible institutions. Furthermore, the study learnt that the responsible institutions are insufficiently providing support which do not reach the rural nonfarm micro manufacturing enterprises. It appears that unintended enterprises are likely receiving support that were primarily targeting rural nonfarm micro manufacturing enterprises. This study established that the responsible support institutions do not use the appropriate that can help them reach a voluminous number of targeted rural nonfarm micro manufacturing enterprises. It is recommended that the responsible support institutions change the approach and make use of participatory that engage more closely the Local Government Authorities.