Determinants of potato market participation among smallholder farmers in Mida Kegn, Ethiopia

Abstract

In Ethiopia, agricultural output commercialization plays a crucial role in maintaining the share of the sector in the economic growth of the country. This study was designed to analyze determinants of potato market participation among smallholder farmers in the Mida Kegn district of West Shoa Zone. A stage sampling procedure was employed to select 150 sample respondents randomly from the district. To accomplish the study, data were accessed from both primary and secondary data sources. Primary data were accessed through a structured questionnaire. The descriptive result indicated that 38% and 62% of sample households were categorized as non-participant and participant farmers in the potato output market, respectively. Moreover, the result shows that about 54.46% of potato produce was supplied to the market from total produce. The result of the double-hurdle model analysis showed that experience and land allocated for potatoes influenced potato commercialization positively, whereas family size, dependency ratio, and distance to all-weather roads were affected negatively. Consequently, the study suggests that all concerned bodies should focus on facilitating farmers to participate in off/non-farm activities, supporting potato producers through the provision of training and access to improved seed, proper utilization of land resources, and giving enough family planning training by health extension workers.

Keywords:

• commercialization
• probit
• intensity
• smallholder farmers
• Ethiopia

PUBLIC INTEREST STATEMENT

Agriculture is recognized as it plays a crucial role in the economy of Ethiopia. However, the sector is hindered by many constraints. Advancing the commercial orientation of smallholder farmers would have higher implications in improving the share of the agricultural sector to promote food security and enhance the income of smallholder farmers in the country. Nowadays, it needs more work to be done to improve agricultural commercialization for the several benefits that could be obtained from the activities. This study has observed the determinants of potato market participation of farmers in West Shoa, Ethiopia. Policymakers are required to act on the possible means to minimize the challenges of marketing farm produce. Particularly, it requires capacitating farmers through the provision of training and access to improved seed, proper utilization of land resources, and giving due attention to experience sharing and training commercial-oriented production.

Acknowledgment

I would like to express my warm gratitude to Mr. Adane Edao and Mr. Shibiru Kebede for their technical guidance, personal encouragement, and continuous patience from proposal write-up and questionnaire development up to submission of the final manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

How to cite

Habtamu Rufe Gurmu, Shibiru Kebede Boka, and Adane Edao Shate (2023). Determinants of Potato Market Participation among Smallholder Farmers in Mida Kegn district of West Shoa, Ethiopia. Cogent Food and Agriculture

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Habtamu Rufe Gurmu

Habtamu Rufe Gurmu (MSc in Agricultural Economics) is a Lecturer and Researcher at Dambi Dollo University, Department of Agricultural Economics. His research interests include agricultural productivity and profitability, food security, impact analysis, employment and unemployment analysis, and marketing analysis.

Shibiru Kebede Boka

Shibiru Kebede Boka (MSc in Agricultural Economics) is expert and researcher at Mida Kegn district of Agricultural office. His research interests include agricultural productivity, food security and marketing analysis.

Adane Edao Shate

Adane Edao Shate (MSc in Agricultural Economics) is a Lecturer and Researcher at Dambi Dollo University, Department of Agricultural Economics. His research interests include efficiency, agricultural productivity and profitability, employment and unemployment analysis, and marketing analysis.