A Comparative Study of Marketing Problems Faced by Small-scale Crop Farmers in Botswana and Kenya. Is There a Way out?

Most governments in third world countries including sub Saharan Africa, tend to either neglect or fail to the avail the necessary resources to small-scale farmers to enable such farmers attain any meaningful development. The small-scale farmers contribute the biggest percentage of the national food requirement compared to large-scale farmers who produce largely for international markets. Besides, small-scale farmers contribute to the creation of employment, development of agro-based industries, improvement of social welfare and the contribution to economic advancement of most developing countries. The development of this sector depends mainly on the availability of ready markets particularly the development of the marketing mix using the original 4P`s of marketing. Any business aims at offering consumers needed products that are competitive, available, well packaged and distributed according to consumer preferences. Pricing, distribution and promotion issues should also be incorporated in order to boost sales of locally produced products in preference to imported goods. With proper management and marketing improvement in this sector, most African countries could increase food production and cease to be dependent on food relief aid from donors. A comparative study approach was used to compile this study comparing the problems of small-scale farmers in Botswana and Kenya. We made use of available secondary data form publications in the two countries. This study aimed at finding out whether marketing problems faced by small-scale farmers in Botswana also affect their Kenyan counterparts and suggest possible solutions.