Household Commercialization Index Research Articles

Effects of commercialization on food security status of cassava producing households in Abia state, Nigeria

The study examined effects of commercialization on food security status of cassava producers in Abia State, Nigeria. Specifically the study described the socio-economic characteristics of the cassava producers; examined the level of cassava commercialization; estimated mean per capita monthly food expenditure of cassava producing households; assessed the food security status of the cassava producing households; ascertained effect of commercialization on the food security status of the respondents and identified the constrained to commercialization. A multi-stage sampling procedure was employed to select 96 respondents needed for the study. Data analysis was carried out using descriptive and inferential tools such as mean, frequencies, percentage, percentage household commercialization index and food security index. Results showed that the mean age of cassava producing household head was 35.3years. Cumulatively, 93.3% of cassava producing household head had formal education ranging from primary school to secondary with mean household size of 7 persons. Dominant number of the cassava farmers indicated access to credit (75.6%) with mean farm size of 1.9ha and mean farming experience of 9.9years. The result also showed a mean commercialization index of 0.646970. The study area could be regarded as food insecure given that only 35.00% of the households were food secure. The result further indicated that there was a positive relationship between commercialization level and food security in the area. However, instability in government policy (86.67%) and lack of collateral required securing loan (72.22 were major constraints to cassava commercialization in the study area. The study concluded that the proportion of food insecure households is more than the food secure households. Therefore, agricultural policies that promote access of farmers to land and other farm inputs that can lead to increased farm household productivity and income should be implemented.

Commercialization of teff growers and determinants in west Ethiopia: Double hurdle model analysis

Promoting commercialization of agricultural production is a cornerstone of the rural development strategies of Ethiopia and commercialization of smallholder farming is not yet adequate enough to enable farmers be profitable. This study was designed to analyze the smallholder farmers’ teff commercialization in Guduru District, Western Ethiopia. Two-stages sampling procedure was followed to select 154 teff producer farmers from four randomly selected kebeles. An interview schedule was used to collect household survey data during the 2016/2017 farming season. The Household Commercialization Index was used to assess the levels of market participation. Double Hurdle Model was used to identify the key factors that influence farmers’ teff commercialization. The results revealed that about 78% of sampled farmers sold teff during a production year of 2016/2017. The model result indicated that education of household head, family size, land holding size, land allocated to teff, farm output, participation in off/non-farm activities, lagged teff market price, access to market information and cooperative membership were found to significantly influence the probability of participation in teff output market. Intensity of participation in the teff output market was significantly determined by sex of household head, age of household head, family size, family labor and distance to the nearest market. Based on the findings, the study recommends that government should give emphasize on rural education system, family planning program, productivity improving measures, access to communication facilities and institutional services, enhance the female headed households and improving rural roads.

Commercialization of Pigeon Pea Production: Its Determinants and Constraints

Commercialization of neglected and underutilized species is a reasonable pathway to food security, employment growth, and reducing poverty. Pigeon pea is one of the underutilized crops with great economic value and health benefits. Despite its potential, pigeon pea is still a minor crop. This study, therefore, examined the level of pigeon pea commercialization, influencing factors of the commercialization of pigeon pea production and the constraints faced in its commercialization in Nigeria. The descriptive statistics, the household commercialization index, and the Tobit regression model were used to analyse primary data collected from 160 randomly selected pigeon pea farmers. The results showed that the mean household commercialization index was 29.2%, implying that the farmers still had a gap of a minimum of 45.8% to attain a high level of commercialization in pigeon pea production. The positive influencing factors for the commercialization of pigeon pea production were access to credit, farming experience, farm size, farm output, extension services, the use of farm machinery, and pesticides. The distance to the market had a negative influence on the commercialization of pigeon pea production. Farmers' major challenges in commercializing pigeon pea production included a lack of credit, insufficient extension contacts, a poor transportation system, pests and diseases, high production input costs, inadequate storage facilities, and insufficient access to timely market information. Therefore, this study recommends encouraging pigeon pea commercialization by the government and non-governmental organizations through the provision of farm credits, production inputs, a good transportation system, and an improved agricultural extension system.

Assessment of Factors Influencing Commercialization of Arable Crops among the selected Smallholder Farmers in Nigeria: A Case Study of Iwo Local Government Area of Osun State

The study looked into what prompted certain small-scale arable farmers in Nigeria to market their produces. As commercialization becomes more and more lauded as a model for rural development, many smallholders' capacity to do so is called into doubt. The objective of the study was to analyse the factors influencing the decision of smallholder farmers to commercialize the selected arable crops. Eighty Five smallholder farmers were randomly sampled for this study, which estimated farmers’ level of crop commercialization and identified factors contributing to their estimated engagement with markets. Structured questionnaires were used to obtain primary data from farmers, while reports from published materials were also reviewed. The study utilized the household commercialization index (HCI) and multiple regression model as its main analytical tools. It found that Crop production. The result of the commercialization index revealed that, among all crops grown, Cassava had the highest percentage of 54.68% with the lowest value of 6.83% for yam production. The results indicate varying levels of market engagement among smallholder farmers and underscore the need for caution in adopting a rigid commercialization approach.

The Adaptation of Export-Scale Urban Farmers Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic in Bandung Metropolitan

These days, urban agriculture is more than a hobby. It has expanded into a local commercial business, even to an export scale. However, urban farmers who have commercialized their products must adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic situation, which has impacted many aspects of global life. This research used a mixed-method approach. We collected quantitative data from 107 respondents on the household commercialization index, income level, and education level of export-scale-urban farmers in the Bandung metropolitan area, West Java, Indonesia. We also used qualitative data to determine how farmers were adapting to difficult situations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This information was gathered through in-depth interviews, observation, and documentation. The results showed that the urban farmers continued to prioritize commercial agriculture during the COVID-19 pandemic. The urban farmers must adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic in various ways, beginning with market access, agricultural management, and strengthening financial resources. There are some conditions where adaptation methods adopted by farmers are not environmentally friendly because the farmers are increasingly dependent on synthetic inputs and use cold storage on open land. Thus, the farmers' adaptation steps to maintain export-scale commercial farming activities in the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic also affect intensive agricultural practices that are not environmentally friendly.

Commercialization of Bambara Nut Production in Nigeria

The global population increases daily, which requires a considerable increase in food production. Bambara nut is an important staple food crop capable of supplying essential nutrients to the body and providing the farmers with income, yet it is underutilized. This study, therefore, assessed the commercialization of Bambara nut production in Nigeria to enhance food availability. Primary data were gathered from 240 respondents and analysed using descriptive statistics, household commercialization index (HCI), and the Tobit model. The results revealed that the mean HCI was 56%, indicating that there exists a gap of 44% for Bambara nut farmers to reach full commercialization. Access to credit, household size, age, farming experience, the quantity of fertilizer, farm output, and distance to the market were significant factors influencing the degree of Bambara nut commercialization. Inadequate access to credit/loan facilities, long-distance to market, high cost of inputs, poor road network to transport produce, and incidence of pests and diseases were the militating constraints to commercialization of Bambara nut production. This study advocates for the provision of credit and inputs, by government and financial institutions, to the farmers to improve their production and commercialization endeavours.

Factors Influencing the Extent of the Commercialization of Indigenous Crops Among Smallholder Farmers in the Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces of South Africa.

Smallholder farmers encounter countless challenges that not only restrict them from maximizing market opportunities but also limit their access to the markets. This paper aims to achieve a thorough understanding of the factors that influence the market participation of indigenous crops by smallholder farmers while also analyzing the extent of market participation in South Africa. An analyzable sample size of 1,520 was used for the study. Household commercialization index (HCI), T-test, description analysis, and a double hurdle model with quasi-maximum likelihood fractional response model were employed to analyze the commercialization and extent of commercialization among indigenous crops by smallholder farmers in South Africa. The study demonstrated that a farmer's decision to participate in the market is highly dependent on gender, off-farm income, access to market information, and a family member being infected by HIV. Factors such as household size and access to the market had statistical significance in the extent of market participation by smallholder farmers. While we recommend the need to intensify appropriate training for farmers and extension workers involved in the area of indigenous crops, it is also important that indigenous crops are given the necessary considerations by the government and research institutions so that their demand in the market could increase. There is a need to develop a clear support plan for the few farmers that have decided to be involved in the farming of indigenous crops even though they are not highly marketable. On the other hand, there is also a need for consumer awareness campaigns in South Africa, on the income and nutritional benefits of indigenous crops.

Smallholder vegetable farmers’ commercialization to enhance rural livelihoods in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa

This study aims at establishing how vegetables can be commercialized to improve rural livelihoods in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain primary data from 120 multi-purposive selected smallholder vegetable farmers. Descriptive statistics, Household Commercialization Index (HCI) and Tobit model were used for analysis. The results indicated that 70% of the selected farmers derive their income mainly from vegetable sales. In addition, the present study found that the average household commercialization index was 47%. Furthermore, socioeconomic, environmental, and institutional factors were found to be the driving forces behind the commercialization of smallholder farmers in the study area. The study recommends that education training and workshops conducted by the government to strengthen farmers’ knowledge and entrepreneurship skills to improve commercialization and participation in markets must be held more often. The study further recommends that there must be an increase in advisory personnel availability to disseminate information and assist farmers in fighting pests and disease attacks.

Unlocking the commercialization potentials of Moringa oleifera production in Southwestern Nigeria

Despite the importance of Moringa oleifera tree for food security at the smallholder farmers’ level, there is no consolidated socioeconomic information about the crop such as its contribution to household food security and income, and its production potential, commercialization and constraints. This study estimated the commercialization level and factors influencing the level of commercialization among the moringa farmers. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. A double-hurdle model with quasi-maximum likelihood fractional response model was employed to analyze the participation and level of participation in commercialization among smallholder moringa farmers in Southwestern Nigeria. The commercialization level was captured by the household commercialization index (HCI) which was calculated as the ratio of the value of marketed moringa output to the value of moringa produced. The result revealed that half of the moringa farmers are still operating at the subsistence level with a large number of them at the low-medium level while the rest are high-level market participants. The participation in commercialization of moringa was influenced by age and square of household head age, marital status, level of education, farming experience in moringa farming, and access to market information. In the same vein, age and age square of household head, level of education, access to credit and extension services were factors influencing the level of commercialization. Thus, the study concluded that access to affordable credit, adequate access to extension services and prompt market information for small-scale farmers would not only improve their production capacity but also serve as a driver for market participation. The study recommends that for the enormous potential of the moringa tree species and its various products to be harnessed, stakeholders, NGOs, and policymakers should, through adequate extension services, widely promote and scale up the domestication of the miracle tree.

Factors Influencing Commercialization of Horticultural Crops Among Smallholder Farmers in Juba, South Sudan

This paper aims at analyzing socio-economic and institutional factors influencing the commercialization of horticultural crops among smallholder farm households in Juba, South Sudan. The study adopted a multi-stage sampling technique to select a sample of 151 respondents. The survey was conducted using semi-structured questionnaires to collect primary data. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a Tobit regression model by STATA analytical software. The results from descriptive statistics indicated that 77.48% of the farmers are female, 36.65% have access to land, 37.09% have access to education at the primary level, 96.69% have no access to market information, 74.17% do not have group membership and only 54.97% have access to irrigation facilities. The findings further revealed that the mean household commercialization index (HCI) was 74.81% and the specific HCI for the selected vegetable crops; tomato, okra and cowpeas were 74.92%, 72.96%, and 74.84% respectively. The results from the Tobit regression model revealed that commercialization of horticultural crops is influenced by the age of the farmer, farming experience, type of land acquisition, the quantity of crop produced, group membership, total variable costs, total farm revenue, and access to irrigation facilities. The finding revealed that the age of a farmer, types of crop produced, type of land acquisition, and group membership are negatively significant whereas, farming experience, total variable costs, total farm revenue, and access to irrigation facilities are positively significant. The study suggests that further evaluation of the factors influencing the commercialization of indigenous and exotic vegetables would be required in rural and peri-urban settings of South Sudan. This study provides an insight for policymakers to formulate appropriate policies that can promote domestic production and accelerate the transition of smallholder farmers from subsistence to the market-oriented production system. Keywords: Commercialization, Horticultural crops, Peri-urban areas, smallholder, Tobit regression model DOI: 10.7176/JESD/12-14-05 Publication date: July 31 st 2021

Determinants of Smallholder Crop Commercialization: The Case of Agarfa and Sinana Districts of Bale Zone, Southeastern Ethiopia

Smallholder crop commercialization entails enhancing market participation and product choice decision of smallholders based on market signal. The study was initiated to identify the current level and determinants of smallholder crop commercialization in Agarfa and Sinana districts of Bale zone. Unlike the previous studies, this study focused on all crops produced by the households. The study used multistage random sampling techniques to select 188 respondents. Primary data was collected using interview schedule, focus group discussion and key informant interview while secondary data was collected from different sources such as records of line offices, Central Statistical Agency and other publications. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected for the study. Descriptive statistics, household commercialization index (HCI) and truncated regression model were used for data analysis. Accordingly, HCI shows 16% of households in the sample were fully subsistence oriented while 5.9% of them categorized as low, 30.9% medium, 36.7% high and 10.6% very high levels of commercialization. Truncated regression depicts that level of education, equine holding (TLU), application of fertilizer, irrigation use, frequency of extension contact, use of credit, membership to cooperatives and social network affected level of commercialization positively and significantly while household size, distance from all-weather road and market center affected negatively and significantly. Therefore, to enhance smallholder commercialization, improving and expanding utilization by smallholders to strong institutions such as credit use, adult education, use of irrigation, effective use of production inputs and market oriented extension services should be the key tasks of policy makers and development planners. Keywords: Commercialization, crop, determinants, subsistence production, truncated model DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/11-9-05 Publication date: May 31 st 2021

Examining Profitability, Viability, and Commercialization Level of Beef Cattle Production among Pastoralists in the Simanjiro District of the Manyara Region, Tanzania

Beef cattle production is significant in wealth creation and improving livelihoods of pastoralists, thus reducing poverty. Nevertheless, most pastoralists continue to live in poverty. This study, thus, sought to assess the profitability, viability, and commercialization level of beef cattle production, as well as the socioeconomic characteristics among pastoralists in the Simanjiro District of the Manyara Region, Tanzania. Cross-sectional data were collected from a sample of 398 pastoralists, using interviews and questionnaires. Descriptive statistics, gross margin (GM), Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR), and household commercialization index (HCI) methods were used for data analysis. The results revealed that the average age of the pastoralists was 47.7 years with a family size of 10.9. On average, the pastoralists had about 26.4 years of farming experience. Most of the pastoralists (59.3%) had no formal education. Among the pastoralists, only 3% had access to farm credits. Further analysis showed that 98.7% of pastoralists marketed their beef cattle to primary auction markets of which 75.4% of price-setting methods were inappropriate (unprofitable). Among the pastoralists, only 3.8% added value to beef cattle before selling. The average cattle herd size was 119.7 heads, of which 98.4% of cattle herd sizes were local breed cattle. Gross margin and Benefit-Cost Ratio were 136.8 US$ and 2.9, respectively, while household commercialization index was 3.9%. Medication costs constituted 44% of the total variable costs involved in beef cattle production. This study, thus, concluded that beef cattle production is profitable and highly viable to run as a business. However, the commercialization level is low. Furthermore, keeping local breed cattle, inappropriate pricing methods, low-value addition, reliance on primary auction markets, limited access to credits, low level of education, and costs for medications; continue to be critical obstacles to improving profitability, viability, and commercialization level of beef cattle production among pastoralists.

Effects of cuniculture commercialization on household poverty status in south western Nigeria

This study evaluated the effect of Cuniculture commercialization on household poverty in Osun State, Nigeria. Descriptive and inferential statistics of frequency counts, Foster-Greer-Thorbecke (FGT), Household Commercialization Index (HCI) and Tobit Regression was used to analyze data collected from 120 respondents randomly selected from the register of Rabbit Farmers and Breeders Association of Nigeria (RFABAN) of Ife/Ijesha Agricultural development Project (ADP). The results of the study show that Cuniculture is a male dominated enterprise. The modal age of respondents was 18-60 with 87.5% of respondents educated. Majority of respondents earned between NGN20000 - NGN100000 monthly from Cuniculture. The study found that 16% of respondents were poor and living below the poverty line. The HCI of Cuniculture indicates that 54.2% of production was done mainly for household consumption. Access to credit and unavailability of markets were the major constraints with Household size and access to credit influencing the commercialization of Cuniculture. The study recommends that more people be encouraged to go into Cuniculture to serve as additional income to household; rabbit farmers become more market oriented beyond their present level; they organize themselves into cooperative for access to credits and market creation and that appropriate solutions be sought for the challenges encountered.

Produce to eat or sell: Panel data structural equation modeling of market participation and food dietary diversity in Zambia

With only 10 years before the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal of Zero Hunger, the global community is in a race to address mounting food and nutrition insecurity among the over 820 million people in the World. This is more profound for developing countries like Zambia where food and nutrition insecurity remain huge development challenges. Output market participation by smallholder rural households has been touted as a possible pathway to improving dietary diversity in addition to production diversity. This study applied structural equation modeling (SEM) techniques to a nationally representative, two-wave household-level panel data of over 6000 rural smallholder farmers in Zambia to assess the extent to which participation in output markets affects dietary diversity and how this effect changed between 2015 and 2019. We measure dietary diversity using a household dietary diversity score (HDDS) and market participation using household commercialization index. We find that market participation enhances household dietary diversity, with the effect being stronger in 2019 than in 2015. Besides reinforcing the importance of market access and participation in improving household nutritional outcomes, our finding demonstrate the increasing role of markets in the nutrition of rural households. Another key result is that household production diversity improves dietary diversity. Taken together, these findings imply that nutrition sensitive agricultural interventions should concomitantly help improve market access and participation for smallholder farmers, and promote a broader food group diversification at the farm level.

EFFECTS OF NIGER STATE RICE INVESTMENT CONSORTIUM PROJECT ON COMMERCIALIZATION LEVELS OF SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN NIGER STATE, NIGERIA

The study assessed the effects of Niger State Rice Investment Consortium (NSRIC) project on commercialization levels of smallholder rice farmers in Niger State, Nigeria. A total sample size of 234; made up of 117 participants and 117 non-participants drawn from 12 localities in three (3) Local Government Areas (LGAs) were selected through multi-stage sampling technique. Data were collected from primary source using well-structured questionnaire administered by the researcher and with the assistance of well-trained enumerators from the Niger State Bureau of Statistics (NSBS). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, household commercialization index (HCI), Tobit regression model and Henry Garrett technique. The result showed that the respondents were in their productive age with mean age of 39 and 44 years of participants and non-participants, respectively; and also, the participants (80.34%) and non-participants (81.22%) were married. The result further revealed the mean farm size of 2.0ha and 1.84ha for participants and non-participants, respectively. The result of HCI revealed the mean household commercialization indices of 67.25%, 31.57% and 49.41% for participant, non-participant and pooled sample, respectively. The Tobic regression analysis disclosed that the coefficients of household size and extension contact were negative but however, significantly influenced smallholder level of rice commercialization. The coefficient of gender, farm size, quantity of rice produced, NSRIC project participant, access to market information, unit price of product, irrigation, access to tractorization and training were positive and significantly influenced smallholder rice commercialization. The costs and returns analysis revealed that the farmers earned N123,684.08 and N46,872.14 for participants and non-participants, respectively. It was recommended that governments at all levels should develop appropriate policies and strategies to promote the commercialization of smallholder Agriculture in the State and farmers themselves should form and maintain effective farmer groups to take advantage of better market prices for their products through their collective bargaining power.

Factors affecting productivity and intensity of market participation of leafy vegetable growers

ABSTRACT Understanding linkages between productivity and intensity of market participation provides information on where to focus to enhance production and market supply, and helps the possibility of success of commercialization. The study examined linkages between productivity and intensity of market participation of leafy vegetable farmers; which are the cheapest source of some elements required for human nutrition. Multistage sampling was used to select 200 leafy vegetable farmers. Data were obtained with a structured questionnaire and analyzed with descriptive statistics, household commercialization index (HCI), total factor productivity index, and double hurdle regression. Most farmers were male with a mean age of 44 years. The HCI indicated a high level of market participation; double hurdle regression indicated grower organizations had a significant, positive (β = 0.886, p < .05) relationship with probability of market participation. Total factor productivity had a significant, positive (β = 0.851, p < .01), relationship on intensity of market participation; age had a negative effect (β = − 33.453, p < .05), and ownership of motorcycle had a positive effect (β = 618.316, p < .1). Increased productivity increases intensity of market participation. Cooperatives may enable vegetable farmers to mobilize funds to improve scale of production and ownership of a motorcycle could increase intensity of market participation by providing a method of bringing produce to market.

Market Participation and Food Security Status of Bio-Fortified Cassava Processors in South Western Nigeria

A better understanding of the extent of food insecurity and its determinants, particularly among rural households, is a step towards proffering solutions to this menace. The study assessed market participation and food security status of bio-fortified cassava processors in South-Western Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was used to source for data from 160 bio-fortified cassava processor through a well-structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, household commercialization index, Food Insecurity Experience-Based Measurement Scales-United States Department of Agriculture (FIEMS-USDA) and Multinomial Logistic Regression (MLR) were used to analyze the data. The result of the study showed that the mean age of the processors was 48(±11.36). Majority (70.6%) of the bio-fortified cassava processor had a high market participation level with a mean household market participation index of 63.14±7.23%. About (58.75%) of the respondents were food insecure with moderate hunger level. The result of the MLR showed that farm income, the value of processed bio-fortified cassava output, susceptibility to sickness, membership of association and access to extension services were significantly related to food insecurity status of the bio-fortified cassava processor. Appropriate programs and policy measures that would increase the value of the processed bio-fortified cassava output and farm income should be targeted towards the processors as this would help to reduce their dependency and increase the food security status of their households.

English

Commercialization of farm produce is a decision made at the household level. However, the decision is influenced by different socio-economic and institutional factors which in turn affect the level of commercialization. Therefore, cassava farmers in Taita-Taveta and Kilifi counties participate in the market at different commercialization levels due to their difference in market orientation. The Household Commercialization Index (HCI) was used to categorize cassava farmers into four different commercialization levels. This study has been informed by the decision theory which is concerned with the reasoning underlying an agent&rsquo;s choices in the presence of options. Data was collected using semi-structured questionnaires from a sample of 250 smallholder cassava farmers. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the socio-economic characteristics of respondents and an Ordered Profit model was used to analyze the cassava commercialization levels. The results show that credit access, pest management, seed buying and area under cassava positively influence the level of commercialization while distance to the nearest market negatively influence the level of commercialization. Therefore, policy makers should initiate policies targeting the specified socio-economic factors in order to introduce incentives that will motivate smallholder cassava farmers to participate in cassava marketing at higher categories of commercialization level. Key words: Cassava, commercialization, farmers, market, Profit. &nbsp

Commercialization and its determinants among smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe. A case of Shamva District, Mashonaland Central Province

Empirical evidence supports the attainment of economic growth through commercialization of agricultural production. However, there are still high levels of subsistence farming in sub-Saharan Africa. The aim of this study was to determine commercialization levels of smallholder farmers and the factors affecting their decisions to commercialize, with a view to identifying strategies for advancing commercialization. The study was carried out in Shamva District of Zimbabwe and a randomly selected sample of 281 farmers was used. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Tobit regression model. The commercialization level was captured by the household commercialization index which was calculated as the ratio of value of marketed output to the value of crops produced. The following variables positively influenced commercialization: gender of household head, access to draft power, access to extension, access to markets, access to finance and number of crops. Age of household head, number of cattle, off-farm income and communal land holding were negatively associated with commercialization levels. Smallholder farmers should be motivated to grow more cash generating crops so as to increase their income. Subsistence farmers, if given adequate financial and extension support, are likely to commercialize.

Agricultural transformation in Rwanda: Can Gendered Market Participation Explain the Persistence of Subsistence Farming?

Despite the efforts to agricultural transformation in Rwanda, farming systems are predominantly still in subsistence production. Women are more involved than men, and their number has even increased in the past decade. The reasons for this remain unclear, given the country’s efforts for gender mainstreaming towards market-oriented agriculture. Guided by the current debate on feminization of agriculture, we base this study on the thesis that higher market participation among women farmers could contribute to the so-called transformation. The study uses the case of the Northern Province of Rwanda. It involved 368 smallholder dual-headed households among which 208 and 160 were respectively producing beans and potato. It used a mixed method approach by sequential exploratory design, involving a quantitative survey households followed by Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). Both Household Commercialization Index (HCI) and Thematic Analyses were used. Findings showed a high degree of commercialization for potato, with 75% of farmers participating in output markets, and 72% among them being market oriented. In contrast, only 26% of bean farmers sold their production. The commercialization of potato is in the hands of men, while beans are mainly sold by women. This was also confirmed with the findings from FGDs. Three issues were identified as hindrances to agricultural transformation and likely to keep households in subsistence production: the low participation of women in input and output markets; their limited control over agricultural income; and their increased workload that combines on-farm and reproductive works. Therefore, despite the efforts at policy level, there are still gender inequalities within dual-headed farming households, and the agricultural transformation risks increasing the gap through all or some of the three identified issues. Removing these inequalities could increase households’ market participation and contribute in the process of agricultural transformation.