Uluslararası Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi
Yazarlar: Akintola Ismail PhD
Konular:
Anahtar Kelimeler:Sociology,Development,Market,Market Participation,Rural,Rurality,Rural Farmers
Özet: The study investigated the determinants of farmers’ participation in food market in Oyo State Nigeria with objective of examining the impact of socio-economic variables in this regards. Well-structured questionnaire was designed and administered to 640 respondents using multistage sampling. Primary data was collected on socio-economic characteristics, various market channel options available to the farmers, their participation level as well as the factors and constraints affecting their participation. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and quantitative techniques (Heckman two-staged Model, Probit Regression, Ordinary Least Square and Chi Square).The result indicated that the mean age of the farming household was 58.4years of which 97.3% are male. 93.18% of the respondents are married with an average household size and farming experience of eight and 37.5years respectively. Four market options were available in their locality of which the farm gates followed by local markets were mostly patronized. Household size and farm size were factors that positively affect their market participation while educational status distance to main road and farmers’ association were found as significant factors that positively affects their participation. Also, household size, level of education, farm size, distance to main road and farmers’ association positively determined their extent of participation. The two research hypotheses tested confirmed that distances to main roads have significant effect on farmers’ market participation and Farmers’ associations have significant effect on farmers’ market participation. With respect to the constraints to market participation, pricing of produce, access to credit facilities, marketing risks and poor motivation from the government were the most pressing constraints faced by rural farmers.Based on these findings, it can be seen that the market participation of farmers are determined by various factors which affect their income and welfare. In order to improve on the commercialisation of the rural areas through the encouragement of the rural farmers, it is recommended that formation of policies by the government should be geared towards achieving development in the farming value chain through the provision of adequate market infrastructure, available and accessible credit facilities as well as technical and institutional support.