Determinants Of Smallholder Farmers Research Articles

Determinants of Smallholder Farmers’ Participation in Improved Sheep Production: The Case of Doyogena District, Kembata Tembaro Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Background. Improved sheep production practices are becoming relevant, but smallholder farmers’ involvement in improved sheep production was below expectations and detailed studies were restricted on the determinants of the participation of smallholder farmers in improved sheep production. This research was conducted to examine the determinants of the involvement of smallholder farmers in enhanced sheep production in the study area. Methods. Multi-stages sampling techniques were used for this study. Firstly, improved sheep production had a big effect on the incomes of households of participants and nonparticipants. Finally, three kebeles were chosen by basic random sampling, and the third was picked for systematic sampling by 144 survey respondents. Quantitative and qualitative data were gathered from primary and secondary sources. Data collection techniques were undertaken by surveys, focus group discussions, and key informants. Quantitative data were used to evaluate descriptive statistics, such as average, frequency, standard deviation, scope, and inferential t-test and chi-square statistics, and a logit model. Qualitative data obtained from focus group discussion and key informants were analyzed by narrative and used for survey data triangulation. Results. Out of the 144 samples, 51 were participants and 93 were nonparticipants. Participation determinants found in this research field were household labor, age, communication frequency with developers, membership in cooperatives, land ownership, participation in credit, and off-farm income. Improved sheep production had a major effect on the incomes of households of participants and nonparticipants. Multiple determinants typically affect the role of smallholder farmers in raising sheep production. Conclusion. Future initiatives under a successful policy should aim at accelerating agricultural and rural growth by efficiently leveraging enhanced sheep capacity in particular in the study region and Ethiopia in general.

Determinants of smallholder farmers’ participation in microfinance markets in Huye district, southern province, Rwanda

Microfinance markets play a significant role in enhancing socio-economic development of developing countries. In Rwanda, access to microfinance in financing agriculture is very important for future development. Despite this development, smallholder farmers still have limited access to institutional financial services. This study assessed factors that affect smallholder farmers’ participation in microfinance markets in three sectors of Maraba, Mukura and Ngoma in Huye district in Southern province of Rwanda. Primary data were collected using questionnaires and personal interviews. A total of 300 respondents were selected using a simple random sampling technique from participants and non-participants in microfinance markets. Data collected were analyzed through descriptive statistics and Probit regression model. Results from descriptive statistics revealed that major sources of income were farming and business activities. Findings revealed also that each household had an average of about five members with standard deviation of 1.901 and mean value of household land size of 1.87 ha with standards deviation of 0.758. Findings from Probit analysis revealed that household size, education, total annual income, cooperative membership, and household savings had a positive and significant effect on smallholder farmers’ participation in microfinance markets. Distance from microfinance institutions negatively influenced participation in microfinance markets. Households that were located far from to the microfinance institutions were less likely to participate in microfinance markets compared to those nearer to the institutions. This study recommends microfinance institutions in Rwanda to expand their financial systems to enable smallholder farmers access affordable agricultural finance. Further, there is need for microfinance institutions to create more awareness programs to help smallholder farmers get key information related to microfinance services. This is expected to influence smallholder farmers’ willingness to apply for microcredits for agricultural development. This will in the long-run help the smallholder farmers to adopt new practices and technologies thus increasing their agricultural production.

Determinants of Seed Distribution System: The Case of Womberma District, North West Ethiopia

Bread wheat also known as common wheat is one of the most important crops for food security and job opportunities for many smallholders as well as the urban population in Ethiopia. Farmers obtain seed from both formal and informal seed distribution systems. The informal seed sector in the study area is the major supplier of seed for many crops grown in the Womberma district. However, access to the formal seed sector was limited for the farmers. Hence, this study initiated to analyze seed distribution system and determinants of smallholder farmers in selecting seed of bread wheat distribution system in the study areas. The primary data was collected through distributing research questionnaires for the seed distribution systems of bread wheat. The study was based on the data collected from 150 households by using the multistage probability sampling method. The survey result shows that the contribution of public companies for supplying improved bread wheat seed was only 33% whereas 100% of producers confirmed that sources of bread wheat seed were from farm saved and local market which were uncertified leading to production deterioration. In line with these, conducted focus group and key informants confirmed that the major problems of formal seed distribution system were lack of timely supply, price fluctuation, limited quantity, and lack of certified seed suppliers while those of the informal seed distribution system were adulteration, high price, low quality, unable to get the right amount, and lack of timely supply, which concluded that the distribution system was inefficient. The econometrics model was used to analyze determinants of selection in seed distribution system of bread wheat in the study areas. Hence, the result of logit model shows that the level of education, access to credit, household income, extension services, and seed quality significantly and positively influenced farmers’ selection of formal seed distribution system while distance to the nearest seed distribution area influenced negatively the selection of formal seed distribution system in the study areas. Therefore, any concerned bodies should give more attention to establish for farmers formal seed distribution systems of bread wheat seed so as to increase production and productivity of bread wheat in the study areas.

Determinants of smallholder farmers' choice on mulch film thickness in rural China.

Agricultural mulch film pollution has become a prevailing concern. Studies have shown that the thickness of mulch film is a key factor affecting mulch film recycling, but research about farmers' choice on mulch film thickness is lacking. Based on survey data from 2025 households in five Chinese provinces in 2018, the Heckman two-stage model was used to analyze the influencing factors of farmers' choice on mulch film thicknesses. Mulch film had been used by 21.98% of the sample households, and 41.47% of the used mulch film did not meet the national thickness standard. The econometric results showed that farmers' product cognition and market factors were the two most important factors, and there was a significant negative correlation with the choice of film thickness. In addition, the choice of mulch film with different thicknesses was affected by household characteristics, subjective norms, and farmland property rights. Strengthening and stabilizing farmland property rights is a long-term mechanism to promote farmers to choose thicker mulch film. In addition to strengthening the production and sale of substandard film supervision, farmers' choice of film thickness should be included in village regulations and other rural grass-roots governance systems, especially in the mechanism design between agricultural farmland protective subsidies and the prevention of mulch film pollution, rather than just considering the recycling itself.

Determinants of smallholder farmers\u2019 adaptation strategies to the effects of climate change: Evidence from northern Uganda

BackgroundClimate change poses a threat to the sustainability of food production among small-scale rural communities in Sub-Saharan Africa that are dependent on rain-fed agriculture. Understanding farmers’ adaptations and the determinants of their adaptation strategies is crucial in designing realistic strategies and policies for agricultural development and food security. The main objectives of this study were to identify the adaptation strategies used by smallholder farmers to counter the perceived negative effects of climate change in northern Uganda, and factors influencing the use of specific adaptation strategies. A cross-sectional survey research design was employed to collect data from 395 randomly selected smallholder farmers’ household heads across two districts by the administration of a semi-structured questionnaire. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the factors influencing farmers’ adaptation to climate change.ResultsThe three most widely practiced adaptation strategies were planting of different crop varieties, planting drought-resistant varieties, and fallowing. Results of the binary logit regression model revealed that marital status of household head, access to credit, access to extension services, and farm income influenced farmers’ adoption of planting drought-resistant varieties as an adaptation strategy while access to credit, annual farm income, and time taken to market influenced adoption of planting improved seeds. Gender of household head and farm income had a positive influence on farmers’ adoption of fertilizer and pesticide use. Farming experience, farm income, and access to extension services and credit influenced farmers’ adoption of tree planting. Household size, farming experience, and time taken to market had positive influence on the use of fallowing, while size of land cultivated significantly influenced farmers’ planting of different crop varieties as an adaptation strategy.ConclusionFindings of the study suggest there are several factors that work together to influence adoption of specific adaptation strategies by smallholder farmers. This therefore calls for more effort from government to strengthen the provision of agricultural extension services by improving its climate information system, providing recommended agricultural inputs and training farmers on best agronomic practices to enhance their holistic adaptation to the effect of climate change.

Determinants of Smallholder Farmers’ Participation in Pond Fish Production in Dara and Wonsho Districts, Sidama Zone, Southern Ethiopia

In developing countries like Ethiopia fish production plays a major role in food supply and poverty alleviation strategy. Despite the presence of opportunities to diversify fish production and thus maximize profit through product and market diversification, the farmers’ participation in pond fish production in Dara and Wonsho districts is perceived to be generally very low. Therefore, this study analyzed the determinants of farmers’ participation in pond fish production. Cross sectional research design and two stage-sampling techniques were implemented in this study. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected from the primary and secondary sources. Descriptive statistics and econometric analysis were employed to analyze data. The result of the Heckman two stage model showed that pond fish production participation decision was significantly influenced by sex, adult family size, and total land, livestock ownership, annual farm income and frequency of the extension contact. Moreover, the level of pond fish production participation was influenced by age, land holding, annual farm income and credit use. Thus, it is suggested to strengthen smallholder farmers’ participation in pond fish production via capacity improvement and enhanced access of proper technical support service provision.

Determinants of smallholder farmers’ participation and level of participation in small-scale irrigation practice in Gemechis district, West Hararghe Zone, Ethiopia

The study was conducted to assess factors that determine a household’s participation and intensity of use in the Gemechis district. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed and 167 sample hous...

Determinants of smallholder farmers’ adoption of short-term and long-term sustainable land management practices

AbstractDespite increasing land degradation in sub-Saharan Africa, investment in sustainable land management (SLM) remains low. Empirical evidence show that smallholder farmers tend to prioritize investing in SLM practices with short-term turnover—e.g., composting and crop residue integration—in order to improve soil fertility and yields to the neglect of practices like agroforestry whose benefits tend to materialize in a relatively longer period. While it is crucial for farmers to prioritize both short-term and long-term SLM practices for the maintenance of overall ecosystem health, the factors that shape the concurrent adoption of short-term and long-term SLM practices remain underexplored. Using data from a cross-sectional survey with smallholder farming households (n = 512) in Malawi, we employed logistic regression to examine the determinants of the concurrent adoption of short-term and long-term SLM practices. Our findings show that plot size, farmer-to-farmer knowledge sharing, presence of a chronically ill person in the household, active household labor size, wealth and women's autonomy are noteworthy determinants. A unit increase in plot size was associated with increased odds (OR = 1.41, p < 0.01) of simultaneously adopting short-term and long-term SLM practices. Similarly, a unit increase in the active labor size of the household (OR = 1.30, p < 0.001) was positively associated with the concurrent adoption of short-term and long-term SLM practices. Households with no chronically sick person were 3.2 times more likely to adopt short-term and long-term SLM practices simulataneously compared to those with chronically sick persons. Farming households that exchanged farming information (OR = 2.50, p < 0.001) with other households had significantly higher odds of adopting short-term and long-term SLM practices concurrently than those that did not share farming information. Compared to households in the poorest wealth category, those in the richer (OR = 3.14, p < 0.001) and richest (OR = 3.64, p < 0.001) wealth categories were both significantly more likely to adopt short-term and long-term SLM practices concurrently. These findings suggest that initiatives targeted at promoting the holistic adoption of SLM practices—a combination of both short-term and long-term practices—must pay attention to contextual nuances including household wealth, gender, farmer training and land access dynamics.

Determinants of smallholder farmers’ decisions on fertilizer use for cereal crops in the Ethiopian highlands

AbstractThis study identified decision variables influencing fertilizer adoption and optimal fertilizer rates among smallholder farmers in the Ethiopian highlands. The fertilizer adoption and fertilizer use were examined in four regional states using a questionnaire survey, which was administered to 2880 farm households. A double hurdle model was used to analyze factors influencing the two independent decisions of adoption of fertilizers and use of fertilizers. The model estimates of the first hurdle revealed that the probability of fertilizer adoption increased by 1.2% as household education status improved, by 1.4% for an increased number of active family members, by 5.6% with improved access to credit, by 3.4% with cooperative membership, by 3.3% with an increase in farm size, by 4.6% when soil and water conservation practices are employed, and by 3.4% when agroecology of the farm is located in the medium to highland zone. Conversely, the probability of fertilizer adoption reduced by 0.9% for an increase in family size, 0.6% with 1 km distance from all-weather road, 1.6% for a kilometer further to farm plots, and 0.9% for an increase in number of parcels. The intensity of use of fertilizers was influenced by education status of the household head, family size, access to credit, membership to cooperatives, use of crop rotation, annual income, number of farm plots owned, use of soil and water conservation, and agroecology. Therefore, a concerted effort is needed to encourage fertilizer adoption and optimum fertilizer use intensity by improving households’ resource endowment, institutional capacity to deliver services, and infrastructure development.

Assessing farmers' contribution to greenhouse gas\xa0emission and the impact of adopting climate-smart agriculture on mitigation

BackgroundThe adoption of climate-smart agricultural (CSA) practices is expected to improve farmers’ adaptation to climate change and also increase yields while simultaneously curbing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This paper explores the determinants of smallholder farmers’ participation in GHG-emitting activities. It also estimates the impact of CSA activities on reducing GHG emissions.MethodsThe findings are based on survey data obtained from 350 smallholder farmers in the East Gonja district of Northern Ghana. We adopted the generalized Poisson regression model in identifying factors influencing farmers’ participation in the GHG emission practices and inverse-probability-weighted regression adjustment (IPWRA) to estimate the impact of CSA adoption on GHG emissions.ResultsMost farming households engaged in at least one emission activity. The findings of the generalized Poisson model found that wealthier households, higher education, and households with access to extension services were less likely to participate in GHG emission activities. There was also evidence that CSA adoption significantly reduces GHG emissions.ConclusionAdvocacy in CSA adoption could be a necessary condition for environmental protection through the reduction of GHG emissions.

Determinants of Smallholder Farmers’ Cash Crop Production Decision and Its Effect on Household Income in Humbo District, Wolaita Zone, Ethiopia

Producing market oriented crops at smallholder farmer level is very important for improving the rural household’s income. The aim of this study was identifying factors that determine smallholder farmers’ cash crop production decision and its effect on household income in Humbo District, Wolaita Zone, Ethiopia. Data for the study was collected from 254 rural households using interview schedule. Multi-stage sampling technique was used as sampling technique. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and Heckman’s two stage model. Accordingly, the study identified cash crops such as pepper, cabbage, onion, and cotton are dominantly produced by smallholder farmers; male headed households are more likely producing these crops relative to female headed; and farmers at the age range of 31 and 64 years are more likely producing than at other age category. Lack of timely supply of agricultural inputs , higher prevalence of crop diseases, fluctuation of market price, and perishable nature of crops are identified as the major crop problems in the study area. Based on the Binary Logistic Regression result, sex, experience on farming activities, access to extension service, off-farm income, and distance from farm land to water sources were significantly determining cash crop production decision. On the other side, Multiple Linear Regression model result revealed as access to credit, off-farm income, number of oxen, landholding size, and education level were significantly determining rural household income. Accordingly: the government should intervene in timely provision of modern agricultural inputs and create favorable linkage between farmers and research centers. The credit institutions should be accessible to ensure timely purchase of agricultural inputs. Keywords : Smallholder farmers, participation, income, cash crops, Heckman two stage; DOI: 10.7176/DCS10-9-02 Publication date: September 30 th 2020

Determinants of Smallholder Farmers’ Cash Crop Production Decision and Its Effect on Household Income in Humbo District, Wolaita Zone, Ethiopia

Producing market oriented crops at smallholder farmer level is very important for improving the rural household’s income. The aim of this study was identifying factors that determine smallholder farmers’ cash crop production decision and its effect on household income in Humbo District, Wolaita Zone, Ethiopia. Data for the study was collected from 254 rural households using interview schedule. Multi-stage sampling technique was used as sampling technique. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and Heckman’s two stage model. Accordingly, the study identified cash crops such as pepper, cabbage, onion, and cotton are dominantly produced by smallholder farmers; male headed households are more likely producing these crops relative to female headed; and farmers at the age range of 31 and 64 years are more likely producing than at other age category. Lack of timely supply of agricultural inputs , higher prevalence of crop diseases, fluctuation of market price, and perishable nature of crops are identified as the major crop problems in the study area. Based on the Binary Logistic Regression result, sex, experience on farming activities, access to extension service, off-farm income, and distance from farm land to water sources were significantly determining cash crop production decision. On the other side, Multiple Linear Regression model result revealed as access to credit, off-farm income, number of oxen, landholding size, and education level were significantly determining rural household income. Accordingly: the government should intervene in timely provision of modern agricultural inputs and create favorable linkage between farmers and research centers. The credit institutions should be accessible to ensure timely purchase of agricultural inputs. Keywords : Smallholder farmers, participation, income, cash crops, Heckman two stage; DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/12-25-05 Publication date: September 30 th 2020

Determinants of smallholder farmers' adoption of adaptation strategies to climate change in Eastern Tigray National Regional State of Ethiopia

Climate change has been significantly affecting smallholder farmer's livelihood and food security. However, efforts to support farmer adaptation are hampered by the lack of scientific and context based evidences. Hence, this paper identified the major adaptation strategies to climate change (CC) and analysed the determinants of adoption of adaptation strategies to climate change in Eastern Tigray Region of Ethiopia. Three-stage sampling technique was used to select the study sites and sample households. Copies of 485 questionnaires were administered and complemented with data from focus group discussion and key informant interviews. Results of the descriptive analysis identified that use of soil and water conservation practices, planting trees, improved crop seeds, irrigation and use of non-farm income generating activities are the most utilized adaptation strategies to climate change. Results of the multinomial logistic regression (MNL) revealed that households' adaptation to climate change was found positively and significantly affected by education, livestock holding, cooperatives membership, extension services, farmers income and households perception to climate change. On the contrary, age of the household head, distance to market and agro-ecology were found negatively and statistically affecting smallholder farmers adoption of adaptation strategies to climate change. Thus, public policy on climate change adaptation need to take into account local people's resource base and their lifelong outlooks so as to reduce the potential drawbacks of climate change on farmers' livelihood.

Determinants of smallholder farmers’ adaptation options to climate change in a coffee-based farming system of Southwest Ethiopia

ABSTRACT The direct and indirect impacts of climate change may jeopardize livelihoods of millions of poor coffee-growing farmers, unless the sector manages to deploy adequate adaptation measures. This study provides valuable insight into smallholder coffee farmers’ adaptation strategies to climate change impacts and factors determining their choices based on a survey of 240 smallholder farmers in Jimma zone, southwest Ethiopia. The assessment indicates that the most common adaptation measures used by the producers include adjustment of planting date, change of the crop type and variety, tree plantation, and mixed farming. Access to weather forecasts and formal extension services, level of education, age of the household head, farm size and income from coffee and agro-ecological setting affect the coffee growers’ decision to adapt to climate change. Enhancing smallholder coffee farmers’ adaptation to climate change requires further efforts from the government to improve farmers’ access to accurate and timely agro-meteorological forecasts, capacity building and technical support for income diversification through improved provision of agricultural extension services.

Determinants of Smallholder Farmers’ Choice of Climate Smart Agriculture Practices to Adapt to Climate Change in Masaba South Sub-County, Kisii, Kenya

Aims: This study evaluated determinants that influence choice of Climate-Smart Agricultural (CSA) practices among smallholder farmers in Masaba South sub-county, Kisii, Kenya.
 Study Design: This study used a multivariate probit model to evaluate determinants that influence farmers’ choice of CSA practices.
 Place and Duration of Study: Masaba South sub-county, Kisii, Kenya between the second week of April 2019 and the last week of May 2019.
 Methodology: Quantitative and qualitative data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire from 196 households, 3 focused group discussions and 7 key informant interviews. Information such as socio-economic, land ownership, climate change perception, crop production practices and institutional characteristics were collected from the households.
 Results: The results showed that crop diversification, change of crop varieties and crop rotation and/or mixed cropping are the dominant adaptation strategies in the study area. Access to credit, farm income, climate change perception and household size have a significant positive influence on adoption of most CSA practices. Small-sized farms, lack of access to extension services, level of education and inaccessibility to weather and climate information were major barriers influencing adoption of CSA practices.
 Conclusion: To reduce vulnerability of smallholder farmers to impacts of climate variability and change, the study recommends the need to enhance increased access to extension services and timely dissemination of climate information to farmers in the form they can easily understand and decode.

Determinants of smallholder farmers’ access to microfinance credits

PurposeSeveral years after the regularization of microfinance activity in Côte d’Ivoire, smallholder farmers’ access to microfinance credits still remains marginal. The purpose of this paper is to identify and analyze key determinants of access to microfinance credit in Sassandra-Marahoué District.Design/methodology/approachA total of 150 smallholder farmers were randomly sampled using an interview guide and semi-structured questionnaires. Univariate statistics and Probit binary modeling were employed for data analyses.FindingsResults revealed that socio-economic/demographic characteristics of smallholder farmers and credit requirements imposed by microfinance institutions (MFIs) are key determinants of smallholder farmers’ access to microfinance credits in the district.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough, the authors shed light on the determinants of microfinance credit access for smallholder farmers in this district, the study focused on a single source of financial credit. Future research will need to explore the determinants of credit demand and the choice between different sources of rural credits in Côte d’Ivoire.Practical implicationsThe findings suggest that MFIs seldom take into account smallholder farmers who are not engaged in off-farm income-generating activities and savings account; and those with low level of education. Sensitization programs on the importance of savings mobilization and credit policy by MFIs will potentially increase smallholder’s knowledge on credit access requirements and thereby increased access.Originality/valueTo the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study investigating determinants of smallholder farmers’ access to microfinance credits in Côte d’Ivoire specifically in the Sassandra-Marahoué District. The results of this study will serve as a guide for MFIs for improving smallholder farmers’ access to credit.

Determinants of Smallholder Farmers’ Saving: The Case of Omo Microfinance Institution in Gimbo District of Kaffa Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Despite the importance of saving to both savers and financial institution, different household and institutions related factors separated a lot of farmers from saving in Microfinance institutions. This study was conducted with specific objectives: to identify factors affecting farmers’ saving in microfinance institution and to assess challenges and opportunities in microfinance service provision in the Gimbo district of Kaffa zone, Southern Ethiopia. The study was based on the data collected from 200 sample households selected through two-stage sampling technique. Both descriptive statistics and econometric model were used to analyze the data. A Tobit model was used to assess the determinants of households’ saving. Econometric model result showed that education level, land size, farm income, household expenditure, distance from service provision center, and perception on interest rate were found to be significant in influencing the households’ saving in Omo micro-finance. Low loan recovery performance, low saving mobilization, lack of office facilities, lack of awareness on services and lack of coordination with other government sectors were major challenges in microfinance service provision in the district. The result suggests the need of microfinance institution and concerned government bodies playing role regarding improving saving culture of households through financial literacy, modernization of working procedures in saving service provision, and reviewing the saving interest rate for encouraging farmers to save.

Determinants of Beef cattle Market Participation Decision by Smallholder Farmers in Dugda and Bora Districts, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

The research is financed by International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)/Livestock and Irrigation Value chain for Ethiopian Smallholders (LIVES) Project Abstract Market participation plays an essential role in generating better income and enhancing welfare of smallholder farmers. This study was aimed to investigate the determinants of smallholder farmers’ participation decision in beef cattle market in Dugda and Bora Districts. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select sample households for data collection. A total of 152 beef cattle producer sampled households were randomly selected from the districts and semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect data. Both descriptive statistics and probit econometric model were applied to analyze determinants of smallholder farmers’ market participation decision in beef cattle market. The findings of the model showed that sex, age, education level of household head, family size, and number of beef cattle owned, crop income and access to market information were significantly affect smallholder farmers’ market participation decision in beef cattle market. This study suggested that relevant policy interventions in the directions of above-mentioned aspects are vital to encouraging smallholder farmers’ market participation decision in beef cattle market. Keywords: Beef cattle, Market participation decision, Probit Model, Bora and Dugda Districts DOI : 10.7176/JNSR/9-20-05 Publication date :October 31 st 2019

Determinants of Smallholder Farmers' Marketing Channel Choice: Evidence from the Vietnamese Rice Sector

Cash crops such as specialty rice and other high‐value varieties produced for domestic and international markets are considered an increasing source of income for smallholder farmers in many Asian countries. The present study focuses on the factors affecting Vietnamese specialty rice farmers' choice of marketing channel and how their choice influences farm performance. The analysis has been conducted using multinomial logit and linear regression models on quantitative data collected from 280 specialty rice farmers in the Red River Delta, one of the main rice production regions in Vietnam. Results reveal that even though local collectors and wholesalers are still the most common recipients of farmers' goods in rural areas, reduction in transaction costs with regard to uncertainty influences farmers to choose modern marketing channels through collective action (via specialty rice farmer associations). This collective marketing channel helps farmers increase average prices received by US$0.028 per kg of paddy. Based on the results, manifold political implications are derived.

An assessment of adaptation options enhancing smallholder farmers resilience to climate variability and change: Case of Mbengwi Central Sub-Division, North-West Region of Cameroon

Farmers’ implementation of suitable adaptation measures in the face of climate variability and change (CVC) depends first and foremost on their ability to perceive CVC. This paper analyzes the adaptation measures implemented by smallholder farmers (SHFs) in Mbengwi Central Sub-Division, North-West Region of Cameroon in the face of CVC as well as the determinants of smallholder farmers’ choice of adaptation measures. Climate data collected from meteorological stations in the study area and farmers’ perceptions obtained through household surveys were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency tables, bar charts, histograms and percentage indices) and inferential statistics (Coefficient of Variation and the Multinomial Logistic (MNL) regression model). Farmers’ perceptions of CVC were then compared with actual short and long term meteorological data for the study area. Analysis was done on SPSS 17.0, Microsoft Excel 2007, and STATA 7.0. The results revealed that a majority of the respondents perceived an increase in temperature (79.2%) and a drop in the quantity of rainfall (59.2%) which corroborated almost perfectly with the analyzed meteorological data for the study area. From the twelve adaptation measures identified by SHFs, home gardens emerged as the most prevalent adaptation measure in the study area. Following the categorization of the multifarious adaptation measures implemented by SHFs, agroforestry practices emerged as the most prevalent adaptation measure. Results of the MNL regression model revealed that the main determinants of farmers’ choice of adaptation measures in the study area were age of household head, number of farms possessed, farm size, and access to weather information (p<0.05). Key words: Climate variability and change, smallholder farmers, adaptation measures, agroforestry practices, Mbengwi Central Sub-division, Cameroon.