Factors influencing the intensity of market participation by smallholder farmers: A case study of rural and peri-urban areas of Kenya
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Date
2009-03Author
Omiti, John, M.
Otieno, David J.
Nyanamba, Timothy
Mccullough, Ellen
Type
ArticleLanguage
enMetadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Participation in commercial agriculture holds considerable potential for unlocking suitable
opportunity sets necessary for providing better incomes and sustainable livelihoods for smallscale
farmers. This study examined factors that influence the intensity of market participation
among smallholder farmers in Kenya. Data was obtained through a rapid rural appraisal and a
household survey. A truncated regression model was applied in the analysis. Results showed that
farmers in peri-urban areas sold higher proportions of their output than those in rural areas.
Distance from farm to point of sale is a major constraint to the intensity of market participation.
Better output price and market information are key incentives for increased sales. These findings
demonstrate the urgent need to strengthen market information delivery systems, upgrade roads in
both rural and peri-urban areas, encourage market integration initiatives, and establish more
retail outlets with improved market facilities in the remote rural villages in order to promote
production and trade in high value commodities by rural farmers.
URI
http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/bitstream/http://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/13800
Citation
African journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics Vol 3 No 1 March 2009Publisher
Department of Agricultural Economics
Description
Journal article