Analysis of farmers’ participation decision and its level in honey marketing in Ethiopia

Abstract

The study conducted at Dangila district, Ahmara National Regional state, Ethiopia. Inadequate information with regard to marketing participation and volume of supplied to the market in honey production demands the study. The data were collected from 144 households who were selected via two stage sampling technique from five kebeles [Kebele refers to the smallest administrative unit/level below a district and consists of a number of villages (i.e. it is a collection of village). It is part of a district.] of the district. The data were analyzed using t-test, Chi square. Probit and Heckman two-stage selection were estimated to identify the identify factors affecting farmers’ participation decision in honey marketing and volume marketed in the study area. The probit model results indicate that education level of the household head, family size and market information influenced honey market participation decision significantly and positively. The results of Heckman two-stage selection model results show that size of land holding, years in beekeeping, type of beehive used and number of beehives owned were found to influence volume of honey supplied to the market positively and significantly. As beekeepers experience increases by a year, owning land increases by ha, number of beehives owned increases by one and having modern beehives, the amount of honey supplied to the market is also increases by 0.96 kg, 9.64 kg, 6.14 kg and 6.02 kg, respectively. Therefore, focus on promoting farmer-to-farmer knowledge sharing with experienced households, capacity building through training on improved honey production, increasing access to improved beehives, strengthening financial capacity of existing and establishment and strengthen of additional beekeepers cooperatives.