Kusse Haile | Mizan Tepi University (original) (raw)

Papers by Kusse Haile

International journal of Horticulture, Agriculture and Food science, 2019

Participation in commercial agriculture holds considerable potential for unlocking suitable oppor... more Participation in commercial agriculture holds considerable potential for unlocking suitable opportunity sets necessary for providing better incomes and sustainable livelihoods for small scalefarmers. In developing countries like Ethiopia, most smallholder farmers are characterized by poor market participation because they lack market information on marketing of agricultural products. Th is study examined factors that influence the intensity of market participation among smallholder farmers in JabiTehnan districtusing survey data collected from randomly selected 120 farmers. The aim of this study was to analyze market participation of smallholder wheat farmers in JabiTehnan district. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected from primary and secondary data sources using cross sectional data.Probit model regression result showed that, perception of wheat market price, quantity of wheat produced, size of land allocated for wheat and frequency of extension contact had significant and positively effect on market participation decision, while distance to nearest market, family size had significant negative effect. Based on the study policy interventions like family planning, awareness to farmers to supply wheat to the market when price is fair for them, strength extension service and infrastructure like market access, improve land management practice by use of a right input at a ri ght timeas a means to enhance wheat market participation.

International Journal of Agronomy, Apr 23, 2022

Farmers depend on sesame farming as their major source of income in West Omo and Bench Sheko zone... more Farmers depend on sesame farming as their major source of income in West Omo and Bench Sheko zones. However, they face diverse marketing challenges to deliver their product to the market. erefore, the study aimed to investigate the variables that a ect sesame market supply in West Omo and Bench Sheko zones. e study's data were gathered from primary and secondary sources. Multistage random sampling was employed to select 270 sample sesame producers. e analysis was done using descriptive statistics as well as econometric models. Multiple regression model results showed that total livestock unit, sesame farming experience, cooperative membership, family size, land under sesame, annual o-farm income, participation in training, and distance to the nearest market signi cantly a ected the amount of sesame supplied to the market. e study recommends strengthening sesame producer cooperative, promoting experience sharing among experienced farmers, improving transportation accessibility and infrastructure development, increasing productivity by fortifying extension service providers, and encouraging sesame producers to participate actively in various trainings.

Cogent Economics & Finance, 2023

Livestock market participation is an important way to improve the livelihoods and income of the s... more Livestock market participation is an important way to improve the livelihoods and income of the smallholder farmers in Southwest Ethiopia. Although it plays an important role, livestock producers do not fully participate in the livestock market. The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors that influence the intensity of livestock market participation in Southwest Ethiopia. To analyze the result, descriptive statistics and Poisson regression analysis were used. The results showed that 65.4% of the respondents have participated in livestock markets whereas 34.6% were not market participants. The Poisson regression result showed that experience in livestock production, education status, market access, access to grazing land, livestock owned and extension contact frequency affect positively while distance to a nearby market affects negatively and significantly on the intensity of livestock market participation. Based on the result of the study; lack of market access, long market distance, and lack of updated market information are the factors influencing livestock producers to engage in livestock market participation. Finally, this study suggests boosting farmer education through adult education and developing rural infrastructure (updated market information, road, and market and transport access), increase in farmers’ training centers, improves consultation and training service could enhance the intensity of livestock market participation.

OMO International Journal of Sciences

The study was aimed at analyzing sesame market outlet choice in Bench Maji Zone of south western,... more The study was aimed at analyzing sesame market outlet choice in Bench Maji Zone of south western, Ethiopia. For addressing this objective, the study used both primary and secondary data obtained from cross-sectional field survey, focus group discussion and key informant interview. Multistage random sampling technique was used to draw 270 sesame producers.Descriptive statistics and econometric method of data analysis were used to analyze the data. Depending on the results obtained from multivariate probit model, this study recommends that strengthening farmers sesame cooperative and enhancing the financial capacity of cooperative, improving accessibility of transport services and developing infrastructure, improving farmers’ knowledge through adult education as well as their experience sharing with other sesame producing farmers, improving productivity through strengthening supportive institutions, motivating sesame producing farm household to participate different training. Therefor...

Asian Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences

Chronic food insecurity is one of the main problems, which affected millions of Ethiopians for ce... more Chronic food insecurity is one of the main problems, which affected millions of Ethiopians for centuries. To solve the food insecurity problem and move away from the previous system of annual emergency appeals, the Ethiopian government in collaboration with development partners launched social protection program called productive safety net program. This study evaluated the impacts of productive safety net program on household poverty alleviation, by measuring the wellbeing of rural households using outcome indicators of the program i.e. calorie intake, consumption expenditure and livestock asset using cross-sectional survey data collected from 200 households in ECC-SDCOH facilitated kebeles of productive safety net program in eastern Ethiopia. Multistage stage sampling technique was used to randomly select representative household heads. Both primary and secondary data were analyzed using descriptive and econometric statistics. Applying a propensity score matching technique, the st...

Heliyon, 2022

Kaffa, Sheka, and Bench sheko Zone in the Southwest region of Ethiopia are known for enset farmin... more Kaffa, Sheka, and Bench sheko Zone in the Southwest region of Ethiopia are known for enset farming. The objective of this study was to identify factors constraining market participation of enset producers and marketed surplus. Data were obtained from a sample of 657 enset producers. Heckman's two-stage model was used to identify the determinants of enset products market participation and marketed surplus. Heckman's two-stage selection model results showed that family size, level of education, farming experience, land allocation, livestock ownership, and access to training had significantly influenced market participation decision while family size, level of education, farming experience, livestock ownership, access to transport, quantity enset produced, off-farm income and inverse Mill's ratio (LAMBDA) influenced significantly the extent of marketed surplus. Based on the findings of the study, we suggest that the government and concerned stakeholders should focus on promoting improved enset variety, encouraging the use of labor-saving technology, strengthening the existing social services, promoting farmers' cooperatives, empowering women, improving market linkage, and competitive market should be created.

Acta Scientiarum Polonorum Administratio Locorum, 2021

Motives: Agricultural sector in Ethiopia is characterized by its poor performance, despite the li... more Motives: Agricultural sector in Ethiopia is characterized by its poor performance, despite the livelihoods of the large population of the country depends on agriculture. Sesame is an important cash crop and plays vital role in the livelihood of many people in Ethiopia. However a number of challenges hindered the development of sesame sector along with the productivity. Aim: This study attempted to analyze production efficiency of sesame producers in Bench Maji Zone of Southwest Ethiopia. The study used both primary and secondary data sources. Purposive sampling techniques were employed to draw 270 sesame producer farm households. Descriptive statistics and econometric models were used to analyze the data. Results: The estimated stochastic production frontier model indicated that input variables such as inorganic fertilizer, sesame seed, oxen power, labor and chemicals found to be important factors in increasing the level of sesame output in the study area. The result further reveale...

Heliyon, 2021

Smallholders farming are responsible for a large proportion of Ethiopian food production. Sorghum... more Smallholders farming are responsible for a large proportion of Ethiopian food production. Sorghum is one of drought-tolerant crop which plays a crucial role in improving household food security level and source of income. However, there are different constraints which hinder the production and commercialization of cereal crops. Therefore, this study was aimed at identifying the determinants of sorghum producers’ commercialization in Kaffa, Sheka, and Bench Sheko Zones Southwest, Ethiopia. Data for the study were collected from both primary and secondary sources. The primary data were generated by a household survey using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire. Purposive and three-stage sampling techniques were used to draw 543 farmers. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and an econometric model. The Tobit model results indicated that sex of household head, educational level of household head, land under sorghum production, non/off-farm income, sorghum quantity produced, credit amount receive, and oxen were found to influences significantly the degree of commercialization. Policy implications drawn from the study findings include enhancing the productivity of land, strengthening supportive institutions and improving infrastructural facilities. Supporting female-headed households through different policy initiatives and interventions can improve their market participation decisions. Strengthening supportive institutions such as credit access and extension contact would motivate farm households to improve market participation.

Agricultural Development

This study aims to analyze the technical efficiency of sorghum production by smallholder farmers ... more This study aims to analyze the technical efficiency of sorghum production by smallholder farmers in Konso district, Southern Ethiopia using cross sectional data collected from a sample of 124 sorghum producing households during the 2014/15 production season. Individual levels of technical efficiency scores were estimated using the Cobb-Douglas functional form, which was specified to estimate the stochastic production frontier. The estimated stochastic production frontier model indicated that input variables such as land size, fertilizer (Urea and DAP), human labour, oxen power and chemicals (herbicides or pesticides) found to be important factors in increasing the level of sorghum output in the study area. The result further revealed significant differences in technical efficiency among sorghum producers in the study area. The discrepancy ratio, which measures the relative deviation of output from the frontier level due to inefficiency was about 90%. The estimated mean levels of technical efficiency of the sample households was about 69%, which shows existence of a possibility to increase the level of sorghum output by about 31% by efficient use of the existing resources. Among the household specific socioeconomic and institutional factors hypothesized to affect the level of technical inefficiency, age, education level, family size, off/non-farm activities, extension contact, livestock holding, plots distance and soil fertility status were found to be significant in determining the level of technical inefficiency of sorghum production in the study area. Negative coefficients of education level, family size, off/nonfarm activities, extension contact and soil fertility statusindicates that improvement in these factors results in a significant decrease in the level of technical inefficiency.Akin, positive coefficients of age, livestock holding and plots distancewere found to increase households' technical inefficiency.Hence, emphasis should be given to improve the efficiency level of those less efficient households by adopting the practices of relatively efficient households in the studyarea. Beside this, policies and strategies of the government should be directed towards the above mentioned determinants.

Agriculture & Food Security

Background Agricultural production by smallholder farm households is a means of livelihood for ma... more Background Agricultural production by smallholder farm households is a means of livelihood for many rural households in developing economies, including Africa. Commercializing smallholder farmers in the agricultural sector is an indispensable path to boost economic growth and development of most developing countries, like Ethiopia. But, maize marketing has not been given due attention, which has potential production volume and marketability. Therefore, this study is designed to identify determinants of market participation decision and volume of supply among smallholder maize producer farmers in Southwest Ethiopia. Methods Data for this study were collected through cross‑sectional survey from maize producer farm households. The primary data were generated by household survey using a pre-tested structured questionnaire. A both purposive and random sampling technique was used to draw an appropriate sample of 546 maize producer households for this cross-sectional survey study. The data...

Background: Agricultural production by smallholder farm households is a means of livelihood for m... more Background: Agricultural production by smallholder farm households is a means of livelihood for many rural households in developing economies, including Africa. Commercializing smallholder farmers in the agricultural sector is an indispensable path to boost economic growth and development of most developing countries, like Ethiopia. But, maize marketing has not been given due attention, which has potential production volume and marketability. Therefore, this study is designed to identify determinants of market participation decision and volume of supply among smallholder maize producer farmers in Southwest Ethiopia. Methods: Data for this study were collected through cross-sectional survey from maize producer farm households. The primary data were generated by household survey using a pre-tested structured questionnaire. A both purposive and random sampling technique was used to draw an appropriate sample of 546 maize producer households for this cross-sectional survey study. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and double-hurdle econometric model. Results: The result of the survey indicates that out of total 546 maize producers, 381 households are maize market participants and 165 households are non-participants. First hurdle model results show that nine variables-education level, farming experience, quantity of maize produced, cooperative membership, distance to nearest market, amount of credit received, off/non-farming income, number of oxen and perception about lagged price-significantly affect the market participation decision among maize producer farmers. The second hurdle result confirmed that seven variables-sex, family size, land allocated for maize, number of oxen, distance to nearest market, livestock holding and perception about lagged price-significantly affect the level of market participation by maize producer farmers. Conclusion: The findings of this study revealed that understanding the factors and its extent is very important for policy-making to address the problem of market participation decision and level of participation among smallholder farm households. Therefore, the study suggests that important resource and socioeconomic factors must take into consideration to enhance the productivity and strength supportive institutions or infrastructural facilities in the study area to improve market participation decision and level of participation of smallholders.

Heliyon, 2022

Kaffa, Sheka, and Bench sheko Zone in the Southwest region of Ethiopia are known for enset farmin... more Kaffa, Sheka, and Bench sheko Zone in the Southwest region of Ethiopia are known for enset farming. The objective of this study was to identify factors constraining market participation of enset producers and marketed surplus. Data were obtained from a sample of 657 enset producers. Heckman's two-stage model was used to identify the determinants of enset products market participation and marketed surplus. Heckman's two-stage selection model results showed that family size, level of education, farming experience, land allocation, livestock ownership, and access to training had significantly influenced market participation decision while family size, level of education, farming experience, livestock ownership, access to transport, quantity enset produced, offfarm income and inverse Mill's ratio (LAMBDA) influenced significantly the extent of marketed surplus. Based on the findings of the study, we suggest that the government and concerned stakeholders should focus on promoting improved enset variety, encouraging the use of labor-saving technology, strengthening the existing social services, promoting farmers' cooperatives, empowering women, improving market linkage, and competitive market should be created.

Land degradation in the form of soil erosion and nutrient depletion presents a threat to food sec... more Land degradation in the form of soil erosion and nutrient depletion presents a threat to food security and undermining land productivity in the highlands of Ethiopia. Governments and development agencies have invested substantial resources to promote soil conservation investment practices as part of an effort to improve environmental conditions and reduce poverty. However, few rigorous empirical studies have produced mixed results on factors influencing farmers’ decisions to invest in soil conservation investment practices. This review is aimed on farm household’s decision to invest in soil conservation and the factors influencing farm household’s decision to invest in soil conservation and the intensity of investment in Ethiopia. The review result suggest that farmer’s decisions to adopt soil conservation investment practices and intensity of investment appear to be explained by different process. Therefore, this implies that the major change in soil conservation investments will r...

Fertilizer application increase agricultural production and productivity in the country, which is... more Fertilizer application increase agricultural production and productivity in the country, which is important to achieve food security of the rural people. The vital role that fertilizer plays in increasing crop yield per unit area is well acknowledged both nationally and at farm level. An effective use of fertilizers is an essential factor for solving problems of food security. However, the application of inorganic fertilizers in Ethiopia is minimal because of demand and supply factors. The objective of this study was to examine the factors that affect the demand and distribution of fertilizer in smallholder farmers in North Bench District. Both primary and secondary data sources were employed. Primary data was collected through Questionnaire distribution and key informants interview from 93 sample households selected by using simple random sampling techniques in the study area. Both descriptive and regression model was employed to analyze the collated data. The study result indicate...

Consumption-based and multidimensional poverty comparison provides a conceptually meaningful, emp... more Consumption-based and multidimensional poverty comparison provides a conceptually meaningful, empirically informative and more precise image for policy decisions. This study is a deep drive of consumption-based and multidimensional poverty dynamics and the decomposition of disparities among rural and small towns in Ethiopia. Data from three rounds of the Ethiopian Living Standard Measurement Survey (LSMS) was used to compute the Foster-Greer-Thorbecke index for consumption-based poverty and the Alkire-Foster index for multidimensional poverty. The study considered a balanced sample of 3220 households every three rounds with the corresponding sample weight for the poststratification adjustments to ensure all regions are represented. Though consumption-based poverty has been moderately declining over time, multidimensional poverty has exhibited inconsistent changes over time. The

This study aims to analyze the technical efficiency of sorghum production by smallholder farmers ... more This study aims to analyze the technical efficiency of sorghum production by smallholder farmers in Konso district, Southern Ethiopia using cross sectional data collected from a sample of 124 sorghum producing households during the 2014/15 production season. Individual levels of technical efficiency scores were estimated using the Cobb-Douglas functional form, which was specified to estimate the stochastic production frontier. The estimated stochastic production frontier model indicated that input variables such as land size, fertilizer (Urea and DAP), human labour, oxen power and chemicals (herbicides or pesticides) found to be important factors in increasing the level of sorghum output in the study area. The result further revealed significant differences in technical efficiency among sorghum producers in the study area. The discrepancy ratio, which measures the relative deviation of output from the frontier level due to inefficiency was about 90%. The estimated mean levels of technical efficiency of the sample households was about 69%, which shows existence of a possibility to increase the level of sorghum output by about 31% by efficient use of the existing resources. Among the household specific socioeconomic and institutional factors hypothesized to affect the level of technical inefficiency, age, education level, family size, off/non-farm activities, extension contact, livestock holding, plots distance and soil fertility status were found to be significant in determining the level of technical inefficiency of sorghum production in the study area. Negative coefficients of education level, family size, off/non-farm activities, extension contact and soil fertility status indicates that improvement in these factors results in a significant decrease in the level of technical inefficiency. Akin, positive coefficients of age, livestock holding and plots distance were found to increase households' technical inefficiency. Hence, emphasis should be given to improve the efficiency level of those less efficient households by adopting the practices of relatively efficient households in the study area. Beside this, policies and strategies of the government should be directed towards the above mentioned determinants.

Journal of Agriculture and Crops

This study was analyzed value chain analysis of sesame in Bench Maji Zone of Southwestern, Ethiop... more This study was analyzed value chain analysis of sesame in Bench Maji Zone of Southwestern, Ethiopia. It was specifically aimed to address the research gaps by, identifying the major value chain actors and mapping the value chain, and identifying major factors affecting market outlet choices of sesame producers in Meinit Goldya and Guraferda Districts. For addressing these objectives the study used both primary and secondary data obtained from field survey and desk review. Multistage random sampling technique was used to draw 270 sesame producers. Descriptive statistics and econometric method of data analysis were used to analyze the data. The major value chain actors for sesame marketing in the districts were producers, wholesalers, rural collector, cooperatives, broker/commission agents, retailers, local consumers, ECX, exporters and non-governmental organizations. The multivariate probit model results indicated that Years of experiences, Coop membership, household size, Education ...

Acta Sci. Pol. Administratio Locorum, 2021

Motives: Agricultural sector in Ethiopia is characterized by its poor performance, despite the li... more Motives: Agricultural sector in Ethiopia is characterized by its poor performance, despite the livelihoods of the large population of the country depends on agriculture. Sesame is an important cash crop and plays vital role in the livelihood of many people in Ethiopia. However a number of challenges hindered the development of sesame sector along with the productivity. Aim: This study attempted to analyze production efficiency of sesame producers in Bench Maji Zone of Southwest Ethiopia. The study used both primary and secondary data sources. Purposive sampling techniques were employed to draw 270 sesame producer farm households. Descriptive statistics and econometric models were used to analyze the data. Results: The estimated stochastic production frontier model indicated that input variables such as inorganic fertilizer, sesame seed, oxen power, labor and chemicals found to be important factors in increasing the level of sesame output in the study area. The result further revealed significant differences in production efficiency among sesame growing farmers in the study area. Applying the Cobb-Douglas functional form the average, technical, allocative and economic efficiencies found are 50.72%, 86.83% and 44.2% for sesame producers, respectively. Also among fourteen variables used in the analysis of determinants, experience in sesame farming, education level, farm income, total cultivated land, social responsibility, frequency of extension contact, participation in off/nonfarm activities, credit, proximity to market and soil fertility were found to be significant sources of technical, allocative and economic inefficiencies of sesame producer farmers. Strengthening education, extension service, credit access at affordable interest rate and accessibility of transport services and motivating farm household to participate different training as well as their experience sharing with other sesame producing farmers improve productivity of sesame production. Therefore, those important socioeconomic and institutional factors which are mentioned above must take into account to improve the productivity of sesame in the study area.

Research Article, 2021

Smallholders farming are responsible for a large proportion of Ethiopian food production. Sorghum... more Smallholders farming are responsible for a large proportion of Ethiopian food production. Sorghum is one of drought-tolerant crop which plays a crucial role in improving household food security level and source of income. However, there are different constraints which hinder the production and commercialization of cereal crops. Therefore, this study was aimed at identifying the determinants of sorghum producers' commercialization in Kaffa, Sheka, and Bench Sheko Zones Southwest, Ethiopia. Data for the study were collected from both primary and secondary sources. The primary data were generated by a household survey using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire. Purposive and three-stage sampling techniques were used to draw 543 farmers. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and an econometric model. The Tobit model results indicated that sex of household head, educational level of household head, land under sorghum production, non/off-farm income, sorghum quantity produced, credit amount receive, and oxen were found to influences significantly the degree of commercialization. Policy implications drawn from the study findings include enhancing the productivity of land, strengthening supportive institutions and improving infrastructural facilities. Supporting female-headed households through different policy initiatives and interventions can improve their market participation decisions. Strengthening supportive institutions such as credit access and extension contact would motivate farm households to improve market participation.

The study was aimed at analyzing sesame market outlet choice in Bench Maji Zone of south western,... more The study was aimed at analyzing sesame market outlet choice in Bench Maji Zone of south western, Ethiopia. For addressing this objective, the study used both primary and secondary data obtained from cross-sectional field survey, focus group discussion and key informant interview. Multistage random sampling technique was used to draw 270 sesame producers.Descriptive statistics and econometric method of data analysis were used to analyze the data. Depending on the results obtained from multivariate probit model, this study recm mend that strengthening farmers sesame cooperative and enhancing the financial capacity of cooperative, impro ving accessibility of transport services and developing infrastructure, improving farmers' knowledge through ad ult education as well as their experience sharing with other sesame producing farmers, improving productivity th rough strengthening supportive institutions, motivating sesame producing farm household to participate different training. Therefore, those important socioeconomic and institutional factors which are mentioned above must take into account to improve the productivity of sesame in the study area.

International journal of Horticulture, Agriculture and Food science, 2019

Participation in commercial agriculture holds considerable potential for unlocking suitable oppor... more Participation in commercial agriculture holds considerable potential for unlocking suitable opportunity sets necessary for providing better incomes and sustainable livelihoods for small scalefarmers. In developing countries like Ethiopia, most smallholder farmers are characterized by poor market participation because they lack market information on marketing of agricultural products. Th is study examined factors that influence the intensity of market participation among smallholder farmers in JabiTehnan districtusing survey data collected from randomly selected 120 farmers. The aim of this study was to analyze market participation of smallholder wheat farmers in JabiTehnan district. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected from primary and secondary data sources using cross sectional data.Probit model regression result showed that, perception of wheat market price, quantity of wheat produced, size of land allocated for wheat and frequency of extension contact had significant and positively effect on market participation decision, while distance to nearest market, family size had significant negative effect. Based on the study policy interventions like family planning, awareness to farmers to supply wheat to the market when price is fair for them, strength extension service and infrastructure like market access, improve land management practice by use of a right input at a ri ght timeas a means to enhance wheat market participation.

International Journal of Agronomy, Apr 23, 2022

Farmers depend on sesame farming as their major source of income in West Omo and Bench Sheko zone... more Farmers depend on sesame farming as their major source of income in West Omo and Bench Sheko zones. However, they face diverse marketing challenges to deliver their product to the market. erefore, the study aimed to investigate the variables that a ect sesame market supply in West Omo and Bench Sheko zones. e study's data were gathered from primary and secondary sources. Multistage random sampling was employed to select 270 sample sesame producers. e analysis was done using descriptive statistics as well as econometric models. Multiple regression model results showed that total livestock unit, sesame farming experience, cooperative membership, family size, land under sesame, annual o-farm income, participation in training, and distance to the nearest market signi cantly a ected the amount of sesame supplied to the market. e study recommends strengthening sesame producer cooperative, promoting experience sharing among experienced farmers, improving transportation accessibility and infrastructure development, increasing productivity by fortifying extension service providers, and encouraging sesame producers to participate actively in various trainings.

Cogent Economics & Finance, 2023

Livestock market participation is an important way to improve the livelihoods and income of the s... more Livestock market participation is an important way to improve the livelihoods and income of the smallholder farmers in Southwest Ethiopia. Although it plays an important role, livestock producers do not fully participate in the livestock market. The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors that influence the intensity of livestock market participation in Southwest Ethiopia. To analyze the result, descriptive statistics and Poisson regression analysis were used. The results showed that 65.4% of the respondents have participated in livestock markets whereas 34.6% were not market participants. The Poisson regression result showed that experience in livestock production, education status, market access, access to grazing land, livestock owned and extension contact frequency affect positively while distance to a nearby market affects negatively and significantly on the intensity of livestock market participation. Based on the result of the study; lack of market access, long market distance, and lack of updated market information are the factors influencing livestock producers to engage in livestock market participation. Finally, this study suggests boosting farmer education through adult education and developing rural infrastructure (updated market information, road, and market and transport access), increase in farmers’ training centers, improves consultation and training service could enhance the intensity of livestock market participation.

OMO International Journal of Sciences

The study was aimed at analyzing sesame market outlet choice in Bench Maji Zone of south western,... more The study was aimed at analyzing sesame market outlet choice in Bench Maji Zone of south western, Ethiopia. For addressing this objective, the study used both primary and secondary data obtained from cross-sectional field survey, focus group discussion and key informant interview. Multistage random sampling technique was used to draw 270 sesame producers.Descriptive statistics and econometric method of data analysis were used to analyze the data. Depending on the results obtained from multivariate probit model, this study recommends that strengthening farmers sesame cooperative and enhancing the financial capacity of cooperative, improving accessibility of transport services and developing infrastructure, improving farmers’ knowledge through adult education as well as their experience sharing with other sesame producing farmers, improving productivity through strengthening supportive institutions, motivating sesame producing farm household to participate different training. Therefor...

Asian Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences

Chronic food insecurity is one of the main problems, which affected millions of Ethiopians for ce... more Chronic food insecurity is one of the main problems, which affected millions of Ethiopians for centuries. To solve the food insecurity problem and move away from the previous system of annual emergency appeals, the Ethiopian government in collaboration with development partners launched social protection program called productive safety net program. This study evaluated the impacts of productive safety net program on household poverty alleviation, by measuring the wellbeing of rural households using outcome indicators of the program i.e. calorie intake, consumption expenditure and livestock asset using cross-sectional survey data collected from 200 households in ECC-SDCOH facilitated kebeles of productive safety net program in eastern Ethiopia. Multistage stage sampling technique was used to randomly select representative household heads. Both primary and secondary data were analyzed using descriptive and econometric statistics. Applying a propensity score matching technique, the st...

Heliyon, 2022

Kaffa, Sheka, and Bench sheko Zone in the Southwest region of Ethiopia are known for enset farmin... more Kaffa, Sheka, and Bench sheko Zone in the Southwest region of Ethiopia are known for enset farming. The objective of this study was to identify factors constraining market participation of enset producers and marketed surplus. Data were obtained from a sample of 657 enset producers. Heckman's two-stage model was used to identify the determinants of enset products market participation and marketed surplus. Heckman's two-stage selection model results showed that family size, level of education, farming experience, land allocation, livestock ownership, and access to training had significantly influenced market participation decision while family size, level of education, farming experience, livestock ownership, access to transport, quantity enset produced, off-farm income and inverse Mill's ratio (LAMBDA) influenced significantly the extent of marketed surplus. Based on the findings of the study, we suggest that the government and concerned stakeholders should focus on promoting improved enset variety, encouraging the use of labor-saving technology, strengthening the existing social services, promoting farmers' cooperatives, empowering women, improving market linkage, and competitive market should be created.

Acta Scientiarum Polonorum Administratio Locorum, 2021

Motives: Agricultural sector in Ethiopia is characterized by its poor performance, despite the li... more Motives: Agricultural sector in Ethiopia is characterized by its poor performance, despite the livelihoods of the large population of the country depends on agriculture. Sesame is an important cash crop and plays vital role in the livelihood of many people in Ethiopia. However a number of challenges hindered the development of sesame sector along with the productivity. Aim: This study attempted to analyze production efficiency of sesame producers in Bench Maji Zone of Southwest Ethiopia. The study used both primary and secondary data sources. Purposive sampling techniques were employed to draw 270 sesame producer farm households. Descriptive statistics and econometric models were used to analyze the data. Results: The estimated stochastic production frontier model indicated that input variables such as inorganic fertilizer, sesame seed, oxen power, labor and chemicals found to be important factors in increasing the level of sesame output in the study area. The result further reveale...

Heliyon, 2021

Smallholders farming are responsible for a large proportion of Ethiopian food production. Sorghum... more Smallholders farming are responsible for a large proportion of Ethiopian food production. Sorghum is one of drought-tolerant crop which plays a crucial role in improving household food security level and source of income. However, there are different constraints which hinder the production and commercialization of cereal crops. Therefore, this study was aimed at identifying the determinants of sorghum producers’ commercialization in Kaffa, Sheka, and Bench Sheko Zones Southwest, Ethiopia. Data for the study were collected from both primary and secondary sources. The primary data were generated by a household survey using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire. Purposive and three-stage sampling techniques were used to draw 543 farmers. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and an econometric model. The Tobit model results indicated that sex of household head, educational level of household head, land under sorghum production, non/off-farm income, sorghum quantity produced, credit amount receive, and oxen were found to influences significantly the degree of commercialization. Policy implications drawn from the study findings include enhancing the productivity of land, strengthening supportive institutions and improving infrastructural facilities. Supporting female-headed households through different policy initiatives and interventions can improve their market participation decisions. Strengthening supportive institutions such as credit access and extension contact would motivate farm households to improve market participation.

Agricultural Development

This study aims to analyze the technical efficiency of sorghum production by smallholder farmers ... more This study aims to analyze the technical efficiency of sorghum production by smallholder farmers in Konso district, Southern Ethiopia using cross sectional data collected from a sample of 124 sorghum producing households during the 2014/15 production season. Individual levels of technical efficiency scores were estimated using the Cobb-Douglas functional form, which was specified to estimate the stochastic production frontier. The estimated stochastic production frontier model indicated that input variables such as land size, fertilizer (Urea and DAP), human labour, oxen power and chemicals (herbicides or pesticides) found to be important factors in increasing the level of sorghum output in the study area. The result further revealed significant differences in technical efficiency among sorghum producers in the study area. The discrepancy ratio, which measures the relative deviation of output from the frontier level due to inefficiency was about 90%. The estimated mean levels of technical efficiency of the sample households was about 69%, which shows existence of a possibility to increase the level of sorghum output by about 31% by efficient use of the existing resources. Among the household specific socioeconomic and institutional factors hypothesized to affect the level of technical inefficiency, age, education level, family size, off/non-farm activities, extension contact, livestock holding, plots distance and soil fertility status were found to be significant in determining the level of technical inefficiency of sorghum production in the study area. Negative coefficients of education level, family size, off/nonfarm activities, extension contact and soil fertility statusindicates that improvement in these factors results in a significant decrease in the level of technical inefficiency.Akin, positive coefficients of age, livestock holding and plots distancewere found to increase households' technical inefficiency.Hence, emphasis should be given to improve the efficiency level of those less efficient households by adopting the practices of relatively efficient households in the studyarea. Beside this, policies and strategies of the government should be directed towards the above mentioned determinants.

Agriculture & Food Security

Background Agricultural production by smallholder farm households is a means of livelihood for ma... more Background Agricultural production by smallholder farm households is a means of livelihood for many rural households in developing economies, including Africa. Commercializing smallholder farmers in the agricultural sector is an indispensable path to boost economic growth and development of most developing countries, like Ethiopia. But, maize marketing has not been given due attention, which has potential production volume and marketability. Therefore, this study is designed to identify determinants of market participation decision and volume of supply among smallholder maize producer farmers in Southwest Ethiopia. Methods Data for this study were collected through cross‑sectional survey from maize producer farm households. The primary data were generated by household survey using a pre-tested structured questionnaire. A both purposive and random sampling technique was used to draw an appropriate sample of 546 maize producer households for this cross-sectional survey study. The data...

Background: Agricultural production by smallholder farm households is a means of livelihood for m... more Background: Agricultural production by smallholder farm households is a means of livelihood for many rural households in developing economies, including Africa. Commercializing smallholder farmers in the agricultural sector is an indispensable path to boost economic growth and development of most developing countries, like Ethiopia. But, maize marketing has not been given due attention, which has potential production volume and marketability. Therefore, this study is designed to identify determinants of market participation decision and volume of supply among smallholder maize producer farmers in Southwest Ethiopia. Methods: Data for this study were collected through cross-sectional survey from maize producer farm households. The primary data were generated by household survey using a pre-tested structured questionnaire. A both purposive and random sampling technique was used to draw an appropriate sample of 546 maize producer households for this cross-sectional survey study. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and double-hurdle econometric model. Results: The result of the survey indicates that out of total 546 maize producers, 381 households are maize market participants and 165 households are non-participants. First hurdle model results show that nine variables-education level, farming experience, quantity of maize produced, cooperative membership, distance to nearest market, amount of credit received, off/non-farming income, number of oxen and perception about lagged price-significantly affect the market participation decision among maize producer farmers. The second hurdle result confirmed that seven variables-sex, family size, land allocated for maize, number of oxen, distance to nearest market, livestock holding and perception about lagged price-significantly affect the level of market participation by maize producer farmers. Conclusion: The findings of this study revealed that understanding the factors and its extent is very important for policy-making to address the problem of market participation decision and level of participation among smallholder farm households. Therefore, the study suggests that important resource and socioeconomic factors must take into consideration to enhance the productivity and strength supportive institutions or infrastructural facilities in the study area to improve market participation decision and level of participation of smallholders.

Heliyon, 2022

Kaffa, Sheka, and Bench sheko Zone in the Southwest region of Ethiopia are known for enset farmin... more Kaffa, Sheka, and Bench sheko Zone in the Southwest region of Ethiopia are known for enset farming. The objective of this study was to identify factors constraining market participation of enset producers and marketed surplus. Data were obtained from a sample of 657 enset producers. Heckman's two-stage model was used to identify the determinants of enset products market participation and marketed surplus. Heckman's two-stage selection model results showed that family size, level of education, farming experience, land allocation, livestock ownership, and access to training had significantly influenced market participation decision while family size, level of education, farming experience, livestock ownership, access to transport, quantity enset produced, offfarm income and inverse Mill's ratio (LAMBDA) influenced significantly the extent of marketed surplus. Based on the findings of the study, we suggest that the government and concerned stakeholders should focus on promoting improved enset variety, encouraging the use of labor-saving technology, strengthening the existing social services, promoting farmers' cooperatives, empowering women, improving market linkage, and competitive market should be created.

Land degradation in the form of soil erosion and nutrient depletion presents a threat to food sec... more Land degradation in the form of soil erosion and nutrient depletion presents a threat to food security and undermining land productivity in the highlands of Ethiopia. Governments and development agencies have invested substantial resources to promote soil conservation investment practices as part of an effort to improve environmental conditions and reduce poverty. However, few rigorous empirical studies have produced mixed results on factors influencing farmers’ decisions to invest in soil conservation investment practices. This review is aimed on farm household’s decision to invest in soil conservation and the factors influencing farm household’s decision to invest in soil conservation and the intensity of investment in Ethiopia. The review result suggest that farmer’s decisions to adopt soil conservation investment practices and intensity of investment appear to be explained by different process. Therefore, this implies that the major change in soil conservation investments will r...

Fertilizer application increase agricultural production and productivity in the country, which is... more Fertilizer application increase agricultural production and productivity in the country, which is important to achieve food security of the rural people. The vital role that fertilizer plays in increasing crop yield per unit area is well acknowledged both nationally and at farm level. An effective use of fertilizers is an essential factor for solving problems of food security. However, the application of inorganic fertilizers in Ethiopia is minimal because of demand and supply factors. The objective of this study was to examine the factors that affect the demand and distribution of fertilizer in smallholder farmers in North Bench District. Both primary and secondary data sources were employed. Primary data was collected through Questionnaire distribution and key informants interview from 93 sample households selected by using simple random sampling techniques in the study area. Both descriptive and regression model was employed to analyze the collated data. The study result indicate...

Consumption-based and multidimensional poverty comparison provides a conceptually meaningful, emp... more Consumption-based and multidimensional poverty comparison provides a conceptually meaningful, empirically informative and more precise image for policy decisions. This study is a deep drive of consumption-based and multidimensional poverty dynamics and the decomposition of disparities among rural and small towns in Ethiopia. Data from three rounds of the Ethiopian Living Standard Measurement Survey (LSMS) was used to compute the Foster-Greer-Thorbecke index for consumption-based poverty and the Alkire-Foster index for multidimensional poverty. The study considered a balanced sample of 3220 households every three rounds with the corresponding sample weight for the poststratification adjustments to ensure all regions are represented. Though consumption-based poverty has been moderately declining over time, multidimensional poverty has exhibited inconsistent changes over time. The

This study aims to analyze the technical efficiency of sorghum production by smallholder farmers ... more This study aims to analyze the technical efficiency of sorghum production by smallholder farmers in Konso district, Southern Ethiopia using cross sectional data collected from a sample of 124 sorghum producing households during the 2014/15 production season. Individual levels of technical efficiency scores were estimated using the Cobb-Douglas functional form, which was specified to estimate the stochastic production frontier. The estimated stochastic production frontier model indicated that input variables such as land size, fertilizer (Urea and DAP), human labour, oxen power and chemicals (herbicides or pesticides) found to be important factors in increasing the level of sorghum output in the study area. The result further revealed significant differences in technical efficiency among sorghum producers in the study area. The discrepancy ratio, which measures the relative deviation of output from the frontier level due to inefficiency was about 90%. The estimated mean levels of technical efficiency of the sample households was about 69%, which shows existence of a possibility to increase the level of sorghum output by about 31% by efficient use of the existing resources. Among the household specific socioeconomic and institutional factors hypothesized to affect the level of technical inefficiency, age, education level, family size, off/non-farm activities, extension contact, livestock holding, plots distance and soil fertility status were found to be significant in determining the level of technical inefficiency of sorghum production in the study area. Negative coefficients of education level, family size, off/non-farm activities, extension contact and soil fertility status indicates that improvement in these factors results in a significant decrease in the level of technical inefficiency. Akin, positive coefficients of age, livestock holding and plots distance were found to increase households' technical inefficiency. Hence, emphasis should be given to improve the efficiency level of those less efficient households by adopting the practices of relatively efficient households in the study area. Beside this, policies and strategies of the government should be directed towards the above mentioned determinants.

Journal of Agriculture and Crops

This study was analyzed value chain analysis of sesame in Bench Maji Zone of Southwestern, Ethiop... more This study was analyzed value chain analysis of sesame in Bench Maji Zone of Southwestern, Ethiopia. It was specifically aimed to address the research gaps by, identifying the major value chain actors and mapping the value chain, and identifying major factors affecting market outlet choices of sesame producers in Meinit Goldya and Guraferda Districts. For addressing these objectives the study used both primary and secondary data obtained from field survey and desk review. Multistage random sampling technique was used to draw 270 sesame producers. Descriptive statistics and econometric method of data analysis were used to analyze the data. The major value chain actors for sesame marketing in the districts were producers, wholesalers, rural collector, cooperatives, broker/commission agents, retailers, local consumers, ECX, exporters and non-governmental organizations. The multivariate probit model results indicated that Years of experiences, Coop membership, household size, Education ...

Acta Sci. Pol. Administratio Locorum, 2021

Motives: Agricultural sector in Ethiopia is characterized by its poor performance, despite the li... more Motives: Agricultural sector in Ethiopia is characterized by its poor performance, despite the livelihoods of the large population of the country depends on agriculture. Sesame is an important cash crop and plays vital role in the livelihood of many people in Ethiopia. However a number of challenges hindered the development of sesame sector along with the productivity. Aim: This study attempted to analyze production efficiency of sesame producers in Bench Maji Zone of Southwest Ethiopia. The study used both primary and secondary data sources. Purposive sampling techniques were employed to draw 270 sesame producer farm households. Descriptive statistics and econometric models were used to analyze the data. Results: The estimated stochastic production frontier model indicated that input variables such as inorganic fertilizer, sesame seed, oxen power, labor and chemicals found to be important factors in increasing the level of sesame output in the study area. The result further revealed significant differences in production efficiency among sesame growing farmers in the study area. Applying the Cobb-Douglas functional form the average, technical, allocative and economic efficiencies found are 50.72%, 86.83% and 44.2% for sesame producers, respectively. Also among fourteen variables used in the analysis of determinants, experience in sesame farming, education level, farm income, total cultivated land, social responsibility, frequency of extension contact, participation in off/nonfarm activities, credit, proximity to market and soil fertility were found to be significant sources of technical, allocative and economic inefficiencies of sesame producer farmers. Strengthening education, extension service, credit access at affordable interest rate and accessibility of transport services and motivating farm household to participate different training as well as their experience sharing with other sesame producing farmers improve productivity of sesame production. Therefore, those important socioeconomic and institutional factors which are mentioned above must take into account to improve the productivity of sesame in the study area.

Research Article, 2021

Smallholders farming are responsible for a large proportion of Ethiopian food production. Sorghum... more Smallholders farming are responsible for a large proportion of Ethiopian food production. Sorghum is one of drought-tolerant crop which plays a crucial role in improving household food security level and source of income. However, there are different constraints which hinder the production and commercialization of cereal crops. Therefore, this study was aimed at identifying the determinants of sorghum producers' commercialization in Kaffa, Sheka, and Bench Sheko Zones Southwest, Ethiopia. Data for the study were collected from both primary and secondary sources. The primary data were generated by a household survey using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire. Purposive and three-stage sampling techniques were used to draw 543 farmers. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and an econometric model. The Tobit model results indicated that sex of household head, educational level of household head, land under sorghum production, non/off-farm income, sorghum quantity produced, credit amount receive, and oxen were found to influences significantly the degree of commercialization. Policy implications drawn from the study findings include enhancing the productivity of land, strengthening supportive institutions and improving infrastructural facilities. Supporting female-headed households through different policy initiatives and interventions can improve their market participation decisions. Strengthening supportive institutions such as credit access and extension contact would motivate farm households to improve market participation.

The study was aimed at analyzing sesame market outlet choice in Bench Maji Zone of south western,... more The study was aimed at analyzing sesame market outlet choice in Bench Maji Zone of south western, Ethiopia. For addressing this objective, the study used both primary and secondary data obtained from cross-sectional field survey, focus group discussion and key informant interview. Multistage random sampling technique was used to draw 270 sesame producers.Descriptive statistics and econometric method of data analysis were used to analyze the data. Depending on the results obtained from multivariate probit model, this study recm mend that strengthening farmers sesame cooperative and enhancing the financial capacity of cooperative, impro ving accessibility of transport services and developing infrastructure, improving farmers' knowledge through ad ult education as well as their experience sharing with other sesame producing farmers, improving productivity th rough strengthening supportive institutions, motivating sesame producing farm household to participate different training. Therefore, those important socioeconomic and institutional factors which are mentioned above must take into account to improve the productivity of sesame in the study area.