Factors Influencing Smallholder Farmers Research Articles

Decision-making factors influencing land use transformation and its implication on forest landscape restoration in Ethiopia

ABSTRACT Macro-level landscape patterns are often a result of a strong influence on human decisions at the micro level. The abilities and objectives of decision-makers should be explicitly addressed to improve our understanding of land use transformation. This research explores the factors influencing smallholder farmers to transform their land use while implementing Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR). We employed a systematic sampling technique to select a study catchment in Southern Ethiopia and 228 households were randomly approached for a household survey. Reaping more economic benefits is the most contributing factor for land use transformation in the study region. Land use transformation towards FLR options such as woodlot and agroforestry is substantially influenced by the location of the farm within the catchment. Furthermore, the study reveals that land allocated for different land uses differs across farmers depending upon their change orientation behaviours categorized as survivalist, subsistence-oriented and market-orientated smallholder farmers. When carrying out FLR in the study region and in similar landscapes that aim to engage smallholder farmers, it is important to promote fast-growing economically rewarding tree species.

Factors influencing seed cotton marketing decisions by smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe

Economic reforms such as the liberalization of export and processing-linked marketing channels have encouraged farmers to produce more. Unfortunately, cotton production in Zimbabwe has been declining regardless of such interventions. Why is the production declining despite these interventions including the government-free inputs and supported extension services? Cotton marketing is one of the main factors that influence overall quantities of a commodity to be produced but the practices and behavior of farmers are relatively unknown and unpredictable in the cotton markets. Therefore, this study was to explore factors influencing smallholder farmers' cotton marketing decisions in three cotton-producing provinces of Zimbabwe. A representative sample of 1080 cotton farmers were randomly selected from these provinces and a double hurdle model was used to evaluate market participation and intensity guided by probit model and censored tobit model respectively. Results showed that the decision to participate in cotton marketing was exclusively influenced by experience in cotton production while the intensity of cotton marketing was exclusively influenced by household labour and access to information. Market prices did not significantly (P<0.05) influence both the participation and intensity of cotton markets. The source of inputs and affiliation to marketing associations influence both marketing decisions. It is recommended that the government of Zimbabwe should revise the existing cotton marketing policies to encourage many buyers into cotton markets. The establishment of cotton marketing hubs can increase cotton marketing participation and intensity through increased access to decentralised marketing options.

Determinants of Participation in Contract Farming among Smallholder Sorghum Farmers in Bondo Sub-County

Aims: This paper analyzed the socioeconomic and institution factors influencing participation in sorghum contract farming by smallholder farmers in Bondo, siaya county, Kenya. The study results are anticipated to encourage smallholder farmers to participate in sorghum commercialization rather than producing for subsistence. Study Design: The study applied quantitative research design to determine factors that influences participation in sorghum contract farming by smallholder farmers. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in Bondo Siaya county Kenya. Targeted group were smallholder farmers producing sorghum either as contracted or non-contracted. The data was collected on sorghum production during 2020/2021 production year. Methodology: A multistage sampling technique was used to sample 135 non-contracted and 105 contracted smallholder sorghum farmers for the study. The data was collected using semi-structured questionnaire which was pretest prior to actual data collection. Data collected was analyzed using t-statistics and chi-squire for the descriptive statistics. While econometric analysis applied logistic regression model to determine factors influencing smallholder farmers’ participation in sorghum contract farming. Results: Findings revealed that post-primary education level (\(\beta\) = 0.215; P = 0.04) , age (\(\beta\) = 0.005; P = 0.00) , gender (\(\beta\) = 0.144; P = 0.02) , number of active household members (\(\beta\) = 0.090; P = 0.03) , group membership(\(\beta\) = 0.188; P = 0.00) , distance to the nearest main road in walking minutes (\(\beta\) = 0.021; P = 0.00) , ownership of bicycle (\(\beta\) = 0.210; P = 0.00) and ownership of oxen (\(\beta\) = 0.238; P = 0.00) positively influence participation in sorghum contract farming. In contrarily, distance to the nearest extension agent office negatively influence participation in sorghum contract farming (\(\beta\) = 0.004; P = 0.01) . Conclusion: The results suggest the need to increase access to extension services, implement policies for empowering women and youths to engage in contract farming, sensitize farmers to form groups to enhance working collectively to acquire input and output market. National and county governments should invest in physical infrastructure, such as roads, to improve access to agricultural information on new interventions.

Factors Influencing Smallholder Farmers’ Decisions to Participate in Loan-Based Farming in Mutare District, Zimbabwe—A Double-Hurdle Model Approach

Agriculture is an important sector in Zimbabwe’s economy. More than 70% of the population are smallholders relying on agriculture. To support agriculture, Zimbabwe’s government introduced a Targeted Command Agriculture Programme (TCAP), in terms of which the state provides production inputs like seeds, fertilisers, protection chemicals, and extension services. In turn, the farmer is expected to produce 5 tonnes of maize per hectare for the Grain Marketing Board. The cost of inputs that the state provided is then deducted from the 5-tonne maize yield, and the farmer is paid the balance. Numerous authors have studied the design of TCAP and its impact on farmers. However, only a few have focused on the determinants of participation, especially with an empirical basis and in the Mutare District. To bridge this knowledge gap, this study implements a double-hurdle model to determine factors influencing farmers’ participation in Zimbabwe’s TCAP using a sample of 350 farmers. The study found that gender, family size, farmer type, command agriculture education, and distance from the market influenced smallholder farmers’ participation in TCAP. Therefore, policymakers should consider these factors to improve the design of the programme and enhance the participation of smallholder farmers in it.

Determinants of climate information service access and use among smallholder farmers in Bereh woreda, Ethiopia.

Climate information service (CIS) is a key component of a climate adaptation strategy that is expected to lessen climate risk. Access to and use of CIS among the local community are limited and constrained by various factors and are not supported by empirical research evidence. Therefore, this article analyzed CIS access and use determinants among smallholder farmers in Bereh woreda. The study applied a cross-sectional design with a mixed methodological approach. Data were collected through a survey of 219 smallholder farmer households, three focused-group discussions, and six key informant interviews. The collected survey data were analyzed using the heckprobit model to determine factors influencing smallholder farmers' access to and use of CIS. The heckprobit model results revealed that the determinants of CIS access and use had a statistical significance of log-likelihood of 1% (Wald χ2 = 45.2, p = 0.001), indicating a strong explanatory power. The selection model revealed that age and off-farm income significantly reduced the likelihood of accessing CIS, whereas mobile-phone ownership and male-headed households increased the likelihood of accessing it. Age, female-headed households, and farm size decreased the likelihood of using CIS, whereas mixed farming, radio ownership, and access to herbicide enhanced the likelihood of using it. This study, therefore, recommends intensive awareness creation and improving the delivery of diverse and reliable CIS to enhance agricultural productivity and smallholder farmers' resilience to the impacts of climate change. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;20:794-804. © 2023 SETAC.

Factors influencing smallholder adoption of organic agriculture in Southeast geopolitical region of Nigeria

IntroductionOrganic Agriculture is considered one of the promising sustainable agricultural systems that can promote green economy measures, especially in developing countries where smallholder agriculture forms the backbone of the economy. With increasing awareness of the environmental and health benefits of organic foods, there has been an increasing number of studies assessing the demand side (determinants of consumers’ demand for organic products) within the global South. However, there is a dearth of research information on the supply side (e.g., factors influencing smallholder farmers’ willingness to engage in organic agriculture). To scale up organic agriculture among smallholder farmers, there is a need to explore and understand the factors influencing its adoption.MethodsUsing survey data from rural Nigeria, this paper applied Cragg’s double-hurdle model to assess the factors influencing smallholder farmers’ adoption of organic farming in the Southeast geopolitical region of Nigeria.ResultsThe result showed that information about organic farming plays a major role in motivating farmers to adopt organic farming. Farmers that know what organic farming entails were found to be 1.31 percent more likely to adopt organic farming and to dedicate 1.23 percent more of their land to organic farming than the farmers that are less aware of organic farming. Similarly, an organized organic marketing structure and a premium on organic products were found to statistically improve the adoption of organic farming. The proportion of land dedicated to organic farming was found to be 2.15 percent more for farmers that received a premium for their organic produce than their counterparts that do not receive a premium for their produce.DiscussionThe findings demonstrated policy actions aimed at certification among smallholder farmers employing organic farming methods can facilitate system-wise organic farming in rural areas. However, the nature of such certification that will not jeopardize the agency of the farmers requires further investigation.

Factors influencing smallholder farmers’ climate change risk perceptions: A behavioral approach in semi-arid regions of Zimbabwe

Abstract The resilience of the agricultural sector is increasingly threatened by climate change while rainfed agriculture has become more susceptible to climate and weather-related stressors. However, farmers’ perceptions of climate change risk which vary by niche, greatly influence their adaptation strategies. This study used a questionnaire survey to solicit factors that inform and shape climate change risk perceptions of smallholder farmers in semi-arid areas in Zimbabwe. A sample of 180 farming households was randomly selected from six wards of Beitbridge District, Matabeleland South Province. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and the ordered probit regression model were used to assess the determinants of smallholder farmers’ perceptions of climate change risk. Results show that perceptions of climate change risk are significantly enhanced by educational level, participation in social groups, household experience in agriculture, access to climate information and extension services, as well as age, gender, and education level of the household head. However, resource endowments reduced the climate change risk perception of households. However, the weak influence of these factors points towards the existence of other issues that influence smallholder farmer climate risk perceptions that warrant additional research to understand how these inform and shape smallholder farmer decision-making. Nonetheless, there is a continuous need to improve smallholder farmers’ access to climate information and build their capacity to address emerging climate risks. This is critical to shaping their climate change risk perceptions and influencing their decisions to adopt resilience-building technologies.

Assessment of Factors Influencing Smallholder Farmers Willingness to Pay for Climate Change Adaptation Information Access in South- Eastern Kenya

Farmers’ adaptation to climate change is crucial in ensuring agricultural production and improving food insecurity. Farmers needed access to climate change adaptation information to enable them to plan their agricultural investments. This study sought to assess farmers’ willingness to pay to access climate change adaptation information as they seek to achieve resilience in the face of changing climatic conditions. Qualitative and quantitative research approach was adopted where data was collected first-hand by interviewing 443 smallholder farmers. Ordinary Least Square method was applied to analyse the factors that influenced farmers' willingness to Pay. From the findings, 77.2% of the farmers were willing to pay for climate adaptation information. The mean willingness to pay in Cash was 12.78 USD per year. Farmers who wished to pay through provision of farm produce were highly skewed towards provision of maize that amounted to 18.40 USD at current market value. The climate change adaptation information effectiveness, knowledge, and access to information were the leading factors that influenced farmers’ WTP. Age and main source of income significantly influenced WTP negatively. Dissemination of this information through effective channels is encouraged to enable farmers to access and improve their WTP.

Factors Influencing Smallholder Farmers’ Attitudes Towards Integrated Soil Fertility Management: Case Study of the Wanka Watershed, Northwestern Highlands of Ethiopia

Abstract This paper explores factors influencing smallholder farmers’ attitudes towards integrated soil fertility management (ISFM). ISFM is paramount to improve soil fertility for sustainable agricultural productivity, especially in contexts where smallholder agriculture is an important local livelihood and economic activity, as in many countries of the Global South. Alongside the development and availability of new technologies to enhance soil fertility, smallholder farmers’ attitudes towards these innovations in specific contexts are key to determining the extent and outcomes of their uptake. A better understanding of these is thus essential to inform measures to increase ISFM practices among smallholder farmers. This study aimed to assess farmers’ attitudes towards ISFM and the factors that determined them based on a case study of the Wanka watershed, northwestern Ethiopia, a major cereal-producing area. Using a mixed methods approach, data obtained from a household survey (146 respondents), focus group discussions, and key informant interviews were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a multiple regression model. The findings revealed that the attitudes of smallholder farmers towards ISFM in the study area were generally positive, as they considered ISFM compatible with agronomic principles and important to increase agricultural productivity sustainably. The extent of farmers’ farming experience, the length of time of applying chemical fertilizer, the number of livestock, and the size of plots were found to be significant predictors of attitudes towards ISFM. The study concludes that considering these factors can better inform interventions designed to enhance farmers’ choice of ISFM technologies for improved soil fertility management and sustainable crop production in the study area and other contexts.

Factors Influencing Smallholder Farmers’ Preference for Veterinary Services Providers in Zimbabwe

Animal diseases pose significant challenges to livestock production in Zimbabwe's smallholder sector. This study analyzed the variables influencing smallholder farmers' preferences for veterinary service providers. Data from a mixed-method approach, including a questionnaire (N=382), focus group discussions (N=106), interviews (N=16), and observations, were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariate probit regression. The findings revealed that access to veterinary services is complex and context-dependent, influenced by factors such as experiences, age, proximity to the provider, communication, remittances, satisfaction, repeat treatments, socioeconomic status, historical dynamics, and access to subsidized drugs. Government veterinary services, private sector entities, and Community Animal Health Workers played critical roles, with coordination enabling cost-effective services. The study highlights the multifaceted nature of smallholder farmers' decision-making, emphasizing the importance of situational factors and collaboration among service providers to meet their diverse needs effectively. These insights inform policymakers and stakeholders in developing strategies to enhance veterinary services in Zimbabwe's smallholder communities, ultimately improving livestock productivity and welfare.

Smallholder Farmers’ Climate Change Adaptation Strategies in the Ethiopian Rift Valley: The Case of Home Garden Agroforestry Systems in the Gedeo Zone

Smallholder farmers who rely on home garden agroforestry are experiencing significant impacts from climate change. To mitigate these effects, it is crucial for farmers to have access to various adaptation strategies. This study collected data from 384 randomly selected respondents in 18 kebeles over three districts, using descriptive statistics and a multivariate probit model to evaluate the factors influencing smallholder farmers’ decisions on their adaptation strategies against climate change. In Ethiopia’s Gedeo zone, this study found that smallholder farmers employ a range of adaptation methods, including expanding their agroforestry system, implementing modern agriculture techniques, conserving soil and water, diversifying their livelihoods, and employing various coping mechanisms. By analyzing data using the multivariate probit model, this study found several factors that had a significant impact on smallholder farmers’ choice of adaptation options. These factors include social network, age, education level, farming experience, household size, cultivated land size, annual income, and livestock holding. In addition, factors such as perception of climate change, previous experience of crop failure, recurrent drought, and access to information about climate change, occurrence of frost, agricultural extension contacts, access to farmer-to-farmer extension services, and perception of land infertility also influence their decision-making process. Our findings highlight the importance of improving institutional services in rural areas, promoting education on climate change, and strengthening social networks to enhance the ability of smallholder farmers to cope with the effects of climate change.

Factors Affecting Adaptation Strategies of Small Holder Farmer’s to Climate Changes: Evidence from Dale Woreda in Sidama Regional State, Ethiopia

The objective of this study was to analyzing factors that affect smallholder farmers’ choice of adaptation strategy and identifies adaptation measures to climate change in Ethiopia using Dale Woreda as a case study. The data was collected from 359 sample households using a survey questionnaire and was analyzed using both descriptive statistics and econometric methods. Multinomial logit model (MNL) was used to identify factors influencing smallholder farmers’ choice of adaptation strategies to climate change and variability. The adaptation strategies considered in the MNL model were crop diversification, growing drought tolerant crop, soil and water management, early and late planting and small scale irrigation practice. The result from the multinomial logit analysis showed that sex, education, farm experience, family size, farm income, farm size, distance to the market, soil fertility, access to credit, access to climate information, and extension access were significant factors influencing smallholder farmers’ adaptation strategies. a unit increases in number of years of education could increase 8.1% of the likelihood of adopting crop diversification ,1.8% of the likelihood of adopting growing drought tolerant crop and 1.2% of the likelihood of early and late planting as adaptation measures. The basic barriers to climate change adaptation on the farmers’ side are lack of credit access, lack of knowledge, lack of support from government, shortage of farm land, lack of climate information and lack of climate related problem. Therefore, expanding extension service, improving the availability of credit and enhancing research on use of new crop diversification and distributing drought tolerant crop varieties and encouraging continuous climate training center, disseminating climate information by local language through social media and providing modern tool for soil and water management and small scale irrigation by government are more suited in three agro-ecological zones.

Factors Influencing Smallholder Farmers’ Decision to Abandon Introduced Sustainable Land Management Technologies in Central Ethiopia

The Ethiopian government has made efforts to rehabilitate degraded lands using a range of sustainable land management (SLM) initiatives. One of the key components was the use of improved structural soil and water conservation (SWC) technologies. However, the effectiveness of technology adoption varies greatly among households and abandoning previously accepted measures is a typical occurrence. Thus, this study sought to discover factors influencing smallholder farmers’ decisions to abandon already accepted SWC measures. The analysis was conducted based on data collected from 525 sample households surveyed in two districts in Central Ethiopia. An ordered cumulative logistic (POM) regression model was used to examine variables explaining households’ decision behavior. The study findings have revealed that sampled households were at different adoption stages, i.e., dis-adopters (22%), pilot-level adopters (14%) and adopters (64%). The results from the POM model also show that a range of variables influenced farmers’ dis-adoption decisions. Factors such as awareness about the risks of land degradation, access to training, incentives, land fragmentation, gender, full-time labor size, gentle slope plots, economic returns on investment and post-adoption follow-up were found to substantially influence smallholder farmers’ adoption discontinuance decisions. Thus, policymakers should consider these variables in designing strategies to overcome barriers to SLM practices.

An analysis of the influence of socioeconomic and demographic factors on financial inclusion in underdeveloped regions

One of the most important concerns facing the world today is financial inclusion. Organizations, financial institutions, and people in positions of responsibility are all demonstrating an interest in learning more about this. Several industrialized and emerging nations have recognized financial exclusion as a major socio-economic problem that needs to be addressed. This paper aims to examine the factors influencing smallholder farmers' financial inclusion in Zimbabwe. Using the logistic regression analysis, the results of the study pointed out that there was a considerable correlation between a household's size, off-farm income, agricultural extension service, distance, and transaction costs in a logit model, which was used to determine whether it had access to financial services. Government and financial service providers should strive to make it easier for people to get to their nearest banking institutions by establishing access points close to their residences. Filling stations and major supermarkets are examples of places where these access points could be positioned. As a result of greater access to formal financial services, small-scale farmers may benefit. Financial service providers must perform regular charge reviews as one of the factors that may deter families from utilizing financial services.

Factors Influencing Farmers’ Participation in fish production in Lesotho

The study investigated factors influencing smallholder farmers’ participation in fish farming in Lesotho. Multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 400 farmers from whom data was collected through a semi-structured questionnaire. Percentage and binary logistic regression were used to analyse the objectives of the study. Results revealed that government support (β=2.662), lack of arable land (β=2.824) and social capital (β=2.387) enhanced participation in fish farming while membership in farmer group/association (β=1.925), path dependency (β=2.007) and culture (β=2.985) had a constraining effect on participation in fish farming in the country. Based on the results, it is concluded that institutional, technical and socioeconomic factors influence participation. In light of these, it is recommended that unobservable and informal institutional factors be taken cognisant of in the design of fish farming development policies and strategies in Lesotho. Furthermore, the formation of fish-based farmer organisations be encouraged, promoted and supported in the country.

Determinants of livestock species ownership at household level: Evidence from rural OR Tambo District Municipality, South Africa

An understanding of factors influencing smallholder farmers’ livestock ownership at the household level is vital in formulating pro-poor livestock production policies and technologies. Hence, this study examined factors that influence livestock ownership of smallholder farmers. The data was collected randomly from three purposively selected study areas in the OR Tambo District (King Sabata Dalindyebo, Port St Johns and Ingquza Hill local municipalities) in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa using a cross-sectional survey of 650 households. A multivariate probit model (MPM) was used to estimate correlates of livestock species ownership at the household level. Results indicated that education, age, household income, marital status, religion, rainfall, gender, household size and employment status influence livestock species ownership at the household level. Therefore, efforts to promote livestock ownership and production should be guided by these significant explanatory variables in the study area. Interdependence among species was also noted (cattle and sheep; goats and pigs; sheep and pigs; cattle and goats; goats and sheep), suggesting complementarity among the different types of livestock species. This complementarity among the species can possibly be explained by functional diversity generic with multi-species livestock farming which is worth supporting to enhance biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, rural resource use efficiency and socio-economic sustainability at the household level.

Factors Influencing the Adoption of Climate-Smart Irrigation Technologies for Sustainable Crop Productivity by Smallholder Farmers in Arid Areas of South Africa

The adoption of climate-smart irrigation technologies amongst smallholder farmers generally remains low beside their role in combating food and nutrition security in a society and in climate change adaptation strategies. This study identified the factors influencing smallholder farmers’ decision to adopt Climate Smart Irrigation Technologies (CSIT) in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. Data were collected through the completion of a face-to-face structured questionnaire by 100 smallholder farmers selected through convenience and purposive sampling. A probit regression and OLS model were used to identify factors that influence the smallholder farmer’s decision to adopt CSIT and the level of adoption. The results indicated that only 46% of the smallholder farmers adopted climate-smart irrigation technologies and suggested that adoption is influenced positively by factors such as gender, age, district, farm size, staple food production and knowledge on CSIT. There is an urgent need for related stakeholders to transform the smallholder farmer subsector through improved extension services, training, adopting resilient crop varieties, promoting underutilized and nutrient-dense crops adapted to harsh local conditions, and other interventions. This should be done by promoting awareness to smallholder farmers regarding these interventions and new technologies that have the potential to improve rural livelihoods and enhance resilience and adaptation.

English

Declining crop productivity is a great challenge facing smallholder farmers in Tanzania. Agro-ecological practices can improve crop productivity in a sustainable way and produce healthy food among smallholder farmers. Initiation of “Farmer-Led Research of Agro-Ecological Practices” (FLRAG) may enhance farmers’ capacities for innovation and co-develop suitable agro-ecological practices. This study aimed at identifying factors influencing smallholder farmers to participate in FLRAG. A cross-sectional survey was used to collect qualitative and quantitative data from 90 smallholder farmers in Mvomero, Bagamoyo and Masasi districts in Tanzania. Data were also collected from key informants who were extension officers. The study identified that experience in farming, easiness in accessing agro-ecological inputs, interest in doing experiments and farm size ownership are the factors that substantially influence smallholder farmers to participate in FLRAG. Therefore, researchers are advised to select participants of FLRAG by considering the mentioned factors. Furthermore, farmers selected to participate in FLRAG are advised to the use of ugunduzi app” that was developed purposefully to enhance agro-ecological research in order to test and understand its potential on smoothing agro-ecological research activities. Key word: Smallholder farmers, crop productivity, sustainable farming, farmer-led research, agro-ecological practices, Ugunduzi App.

Factors Influencing Smallholder Farmers Mechanization Decisions in Nigeria: The Case of Tractor Use in the Fourth Industrial Revolution ERA

Tractorization is crucial in the agricultural transformation of societies with either large farm size or challenged by a severe labor shortage. However, most smallholder farmers still lag in its use, making it necessary to investigate current tractor use by smallholders. This study investigated the factors that influence smallholder farmers’ decision to use tractors in the Delta and Benue States of Nigeria. Specifically, it determined the current level of mechanization (tractor use) in the farming system, estimated the contributions of tractor use among smallholder farmers, and determined the factors influencing smallholder farmers’ tractor use decisions in the study area. Multistage sampling techniques were used to collect data from 280 respondents. Descriptive statistics, a logistic model and odds ratio (OR) constituted the analytical framework. The results showed that poor tractor use still exists among smallholder farmers, with as much as 72% of farmers not using tractor in this modern era. The study revealed that the mean income of tractor users was twice as high as that of non-tractor users. The OR result revealed that educational status, household labor, farming experience, alternative occupation, and farm area under cultivation influenced the decision of the smallholder to use tractor services. It would seem that lack of utilizing the benefits of tractorization is a crucial constraint that calls attention to the need for a holistic campaign among the farming population. The practical applications of family labor are likely to remain high.

A Typology of the Level of Market Participation among Smallholder Farmers in South Africa: Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces.

Smallholder farmers face several challenges that limit their access to markets and prevent them from taking advantage of market opportunities. This study sought to provide observed information on households' involvement in the output market and to analyse the determinants of the level of market participation among smallholder farmers in South Africa. Data (secondary) for this study were collected from a total of 1520 respondents who were selected through stratified random sampling. Descriptive statistics, t-test and a double-hurdle model were used to analyse factors influencing smallholder farmers' decisions regarding participation in the agricultural market. The first-hurdle equation of the double-hurdle model showed that gender of the household, family member working on the farm, wealth index, and agricultural assistance had a positive significant impact on the decision of smallholder farmers to participate in the market, while household age and family member with HIV had a negative significant impact. The results of the second-hurdle model showed marital status, educational level of household, wealth index, and access to agricultural assistance had a negative significant effect on the extent of market participation among smallholder farmers, while household size, household age, and family member with HIV had a positive significant impact. The suggestions emanating from the results as to what factors need to be addressed to encourage smallholder farmers to participate in the market indicate that there is a need for government to hire sufficient and skilled extension workers who understand the market related issues. With the help of extension workers and policymakers, government need to organize smallholder farmers into groups that are easy to manage, train, and support. Smallholder farmers' groups should have their farmers registered, visible, and easily accessible for coordinated government support services. They also need to do more workshops in rural areas to encourage young people to be involved in agriculture. This will lead to sustainable production, alleviation of poverty, improvement of the economy, and food security.