The Value Chain Analysis of Tihni in Atsbi Womberta Woreda:The Case of Women Local Food Producers

This study addresses a notable gap in the existing literature by conducting a comprehensive value chain analysis of Tihni, a locally prominent food product among Ethiopian women. Despite the acknowledged significance of Ethiopian women in Tihni production, there is a dearth of studies scrutinizing the intricate dynamics of its value chain. Consequently, this research aims to systematically investigate the operational practices of key actors involved in the Tihni value chain, delineate the sequential steps in Tihni processing, and map out the diverse activities undertaken by the actors within the Tihni value chain. Employing a multi-stage random sampling technique, the study selected a representative sample of participants encompassing producers, traders, and consumers involved in Tihni production and distribution. The selection process incorporated systematic random sampling for women producers and traders, supplemented by purposive sampling for key informants and focus group discussions. The research methodology encompasses both quantitative and qualitative data collection techniques, with primary data gathered from a survey of 137 women producers, 28 women traders, cooperative members, consumer-focused group discussions, key informant interviews, and personal observations. Utilizing descriptive statistics, the analysis reveals pertinent findings, such as 97.1% of women producers selling Tihni in Wukro, with 46.0% of them reporting significant transactions with local retailers. Notably, 60.7% of women traders identified public meeting participants, transit drivers, and passengers traversing to Wukro as their primary customers. Cooperatives emphasized the necessity of non-plastic packaging for Tihni, advocating a maximum storage duration of two weeks in a cool environment before retail. Moreover, consumers’ discussions highlighted misconceptions regarding Wukro as the primary Tihni production center, attributing this misperception to the lack of recognition for women producers and their production areas. The study further delineates ten distinct processing steps integral to Tihni production in the study area. Women producers asserted that these processing activities contribute significantly to the exceptional quality of Atsbi Womberta's Tihni. This research offers valuable insights into the dynamics of the Tihni value chain, shedding light on crucial aspects of production, distribution, and perception within this context.