Determinants of market participation among smallscale Horticultural farmers in imenti - south sub County

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the determinants of market participation among the small-scale Mango farmers in Imenti South Sub-county, in Meru County. The specific objectives of this study were: to investigate the group characteristics that influence market participation of small-scale mango farmers in Imenti south Sub-county, to determine farmers’ characteristics that influence the extent of market participation of small –scale mango farmers in Imenti south Sub-county and to determine the market conditions that influence the extent of market participation of small –scale mango farmers in Imenti south Sub-county. This study may be significant to; Mango small-scale farmers as it will provide a framework for development of effective marketing strategies that will lead to enhanced market participation and the government will benefit from the findings in its quest to attain economic stability and poverty alleviation goals which are embedded in sustainable development goals framework. Multistage sampling procedure was employed to contact 150 respondents. Semi-structured questionnaires was the main data collection instrument and was used to collect data from small-scale mango farmers who were the target population of this study. The data was analyzed using the descriptive statistics and presented in frequency tables, pie charts and bar graphs. The results showed that age, gender, education level and mango yields significantly influenced the decision to participate in mango marketing. Gender, price information, group marketing, marketing experience, vehicle ownership and marketing under contract significantly influenced the extent of market participation. Further, gender, group marketing, mango yield, price information, marketing under contract and vehicle ownership significantly influenced the choice of mango marketing outlets. The study recommends that, for holistic market participation among small scale mango farmers, proper market infrastructure like mango hub must be put in place. The government and other policy makers should increase the marketing information and ability of mango farmers through avenues like mass media, extension service, and other means of capacity building.