CHALLENGES OF PRODUCERS AND EXPORTERS OF PULSE AND OILSEEDS ON QUALITY CONFORMITY PROCESSES IN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to assess the challenges of producers and exporters on quality conformity assessment process of pulse and oilseeds. The study attempts to provide the stakeholders the examined and identified main challenges on the export operation of the quality conformity process for pulse and oilseeds exports. Primary data was collected using questionnaires from 385 experts from the population of 10,350 exporters through purposive sampling method; the same questionnaires were collected from 12 CABs. In addition interview was held with selected 25 managements and quality experts from Exporters to strength and supports the idea got from questionnaires. Moreover document analysis of 12 CABs was analyzed that helps the researchers to triangulated and crosschecked the data. The secondary data was collected from related literatures, websites and researches. The primary Data gathered has analyzed using descriptive and SPSS statistics and presented using tables and figures. Though this study tried to examine and identify the major challenges of the exporters regarding to quality conformity process of pulse and oilseeds summarized in four divisions, One product related: poor trashing and transportation, proper warehouse and management system, high moisture product, insect damage, impurities of the product, aflatoxin, MRL, poor stitching and bags, weight loss and marking and timely delivery etc. Two Management and Staff related: lack trained staff, Awareness and understanding, management commitment and management system etc. Three Customer feedbacks related: Collected indirectly through interview of exporters and CABs. Four CABs service related. Finally this study concluded that as the main challenge or Non conformity of these product identified above the policy makers and stakeholders to work on it so as to minimize the challenges and non-conformity to minimize again the non- conformance cost of the exporters and NCoQ in the country’s economy since no one has been able to see and measure it so