Institute for Development Studies, University of Nairobi

This paper puts forward the case for much more research attention in the area of small scale marketing systems. The main findings of an investigation into the structure and efficiency of the internal, marketing system for fruit and vegetables which concentrated on the dominant urban markets and six case study areas (selected from the Special Rural Development Programme areas) are discussed. The paper concentrates on distilling some of the main findings under the following headings. ( i ) Structure and Organization of the trade. ( i i ) Transportation. ( i i i ) Margin Analysis. ( i v ) Processing. (v) The Role of Government. ( v i ) Co-operatives. The urban market studies concentrate on Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru, Kisumu and Nyeri. The role of Government is analysed at a number of different levels. The distinction is made between overall and partial control measures on the trade and aspects of grading and standardization and market information are also critically reviewed. The summary of the main findings with respect to the rural marketing systems are based on field work in; (a) Vihiga Division of Kakamega District. (b) Irianyi, Kisii (c) Kiharu, Muranga (d) Yatta,Machakos (e) Three locations in Kwale District and ( f ) Wundanyi Division of Taita District.