Abstract
This paper explores the key factors influencing market participation decisions among smallholder lowland rice growers. Data were collected through purposive sampling technique. A total of 127 rice growers, from 16 lowlands (developed and traditional lowlands), was selected. Descriptive statistics and the probit regression model were used to analyse the data. The statistical analysis revealed significant differences in yields between developed and traditional lowlands rice plots (“lowland development effect”). The regression results showed that farmers’ behaviours were not gender neutral; male producers were more likely to take part in the market as compared to their female counterparts, implying a “gender effect”. With respect to the effect of membership in farmers’ organization, the results indicate that farmers’ involvement in an organization, was in general negatively associated to their market participation decisions. However, farmers from lowlands with functional rice producers’ organizations were more likely to sell their products in the market. Interestingly, this study also highlighted that lowland rice producers’ ability to generate a marketable surplus (at least 20 kg/person/year) positively influence their market participation decision. As hypothesized, the results revealed that farmers who have access to potential buyers of the output (secured market outlets) were less likely to produce rice for self-consumption.
Highlights
Burkinabe economy, relatively undiversified and vulnerable to climatic and external shocks, is heavily reliant on its agriculture
About 78% of the sample are rice producers the in developed lowlands, with an average plot size of 0.25 ha; while 34% of them are working in the traditional lowlands, with an average plot size of 0.55 ha
The result further shows that 85% of lowland rice producers belong to a social organization; while only 49% of them are working in lowlands with functional rice farmers’ organization
Summary
Relatively undiversified and vulnerable to climatic and external shocks, is heavily reliant on its agriculture. Despite its importance in the economy, the sector faces the hardships of many natural disasters-floods, droughts, winds and so forth [2], that compromise agricultural yields. In addition to these precarious agro-climatic conditions, population growth has put more pressure on arable land, especially in the North leading to migration flows toward the West and South-western parts of the country [3,4]. It is worth mentioning that lowlands were traditionally perceived as impassable areas and relegated to the background [5]
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