Comparative Analysis of Cashew Farmers' Perceptions of Institutional Performance under Contract Farming and Warehouse Receipt Systems in Mkuranga District, Tanzania

Cashew farming is a vital source of rural livelihoods and export earnings in Tanzania, yet smallholder farmers continue to face challenges such as delayed payments, limited access to market information, and weak institutional support. This study compares farmers' perceptions of institutional performance under contract farming (CF) and the warehouse receipt system (WRS) in Mkuranga District. A cross-sectional survey of 354 farmers (177 CF and 177 WRS) was conducted using structured questionnaires that captured perceptions of trust in buyers, information access, training opportunities, and timeliness of payment. Data analysis combined descriptive statistics with non-parametric tests and ordered logistic regression, complemented by marginal effects. The results show that CF participants reported higher trust in buyers and greater satisfaction with payment timeliness compared to WRS participants, while differences in information and training satisfaction were negligible. Farming experience was positively associated with trust in buyers. The study concludes that institutional arrangements influence specific aspects of marketing efficiency rather than producing uniform outcomes. Strengthening transparency and payment systems in WRS and improving service delivery in CF could enhance farmer welfare and support more effective structured marketing in Tanzania.