Poor Market Infrastructure Research Articles

Review on Factors Affecting Production and Marketing of Spices in Ethiopia

Spices are produced in different agro-ecologies of Ethiopia that generate income for producers and traders involved in marketing. They are very important cash crops used for food flavor and medication purpose. Even though, their importance the sector is constrained by different factors. The objectives of this review paper are to review factors affecting production of spices, to review factors affecting marketing of spices and to review opportunities of spices production in Ethiopia. Traditional way of farming, absence of seeds and planting materials, high frequency of weeding, high input requirement, high input cost, lack of drying facility, taking long time to dry, shortage of access to credit and extension, different disease and pests, wild animal competition, poor quality of output, absence of proper post harvest handling practices and others are factors affecting production of spices in Ethiopia. Low output price, poor market access and imperfect market information, capital constraints, limited processing of spices, adulteration, mismatch between demand and spices, transportation problems, unlicensed traders, theft, low government support, lack of value addition, price volatility, weak market research and promotion, poor market infrastructure, lack of effective linkage of stakeholders, lack of capacity building, low bargaining power of producers, limited ability of producers to enter in market due to limited time, skill, and resources are some of the factors that affect spices marketing in Ethiopia. Ethiopia is suitable area for spices production due to suitable climate condition and presence of various agro-ecologies, abundant land, cheap labor and favorable policy environment. By reducing different production and marketing constraints the country can boost production and become competitor in the world spices market within a short period of time. Keywords: Spices; constraints; opportunities DOI : 10.7176/JBAH/9-6-02 Publication date :March 31 st 2019

Gender-based constraints affecting biofortified cassava production, processing and marketing among men and women adopters in Oyo and Benue States, Nigeria

This study identified gender-based constraints affecting the production, processing and marketing of biofortified cassava in two states in Nigeria, using a mixed methods approach. The study identified major differences between the two study sites (Benue and Oyo). The scale of production of biofortified cassava is higher in Oyo state among adult men because of their active involvement and collaboration with research institutes within the state and the ease of transporting products to Lagos State for designated diverse markets. However, in Benue state more adult and young women are engaged in cultivation, processing and marketing business to meet up with the increased demand due to higher consumer acceptance in this region. Gender analysis revealed that lack of access to hired-labour restricted the scale of production among women in especially Oyo state. Low product price and high price of processing equipment, poor market infrastructure and middle men exploitation were constraints significantly more mentioned by women in general. Majorly, the men identified limited processing facilities/equipment as the most important constraint affecting the demand of biofortified cassava roots, while generally women were more constrained by the shortage of basic amenities and trainings that hindered their processing efficiency. The study proposes integration of gender-responsive strategies to further enhance the delivery of biofortified cassava products in Nigeria.

Economics of poultry manure as an alternative to chemical fertilizer for agricultural production in Nepal

This paper explored the potentiality of poultry manure to use as fertilizer in agricultural practices through using descriptive statistics and probit regression model. Result showed that Poultry manure was comparatively more economical than chemical fertilizers regarding same amount of NPK availability for crop production. Sampled households’ age, income, agriculture as main occupation, credit access and membership had significantly determined the level of the application of poultry manure. Farmers perceived that affordable price and soil fertility improvement were the main reasons behind applying it. However, volatization, leaching, improper decomposition, poor market infrastructure and transportation and branding were identified as the major problems associated with its use. Study also revealed that willingness to pay for processed poultry manure was 4 to 7 times higher than what farmers were paying for raw poultry manure. Therefore, either the government or private firms should take initiative in production of processed poultry in Nepal.Journal of the Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science.Vol. 33-34, 2015, Page: 259-268

English

As a result of population growth, urbanization and others, the demand for animal product have substantially increased in Ethiopia. The performance of livestock product marketing was poor in the last decade showing less accessibility to both consumers and other market due to number of constraints particularly in milk, meat and live animal marketing. The common milk market constraint includes: lack of clear milk marketing system, cultural and religion factor, inaccessible market and lack of transport, poor extension service and practice, lack of market information, and localized market. The opportunities in milk marketing sector include: population growth, infrastructure development, government focus and trained manpower. Meat and live animal marketing constraint include: lack of clear marketing channel and market information, seasonal based demand, long market chain, lack of market oriented production, poor market infrastructure, informal cross border trade, low quality product, trend and preference of the product. Some golden opportunities in meat and live animal marketing include: change in domestic and export demand, clear government policies, infrastructure development and accessible technology. Therefore, it is very critical to effectively exploit the opportunities in the sector and overcoming limitation in the milk, meat and live animal marketing is highly vital to bring sustainable economic development.   Key words: Live animal, marketing, meat, milk.

REVIEW ON ADOPTION, TREND, POTENTIAL, AND CONSTRAINTS OF RICE PRODUCTION TO LIVELIHOOD IN ETHIOPIA

Cultivation of rice in Ethiopia is generally a recent phenomenon it was started first at Fogera and Gambella Plains in the early 1970’s, which is preceded by its utilization as a food crop. Hence the present review was to review on adoption, Trend, potential, and constraints of rice production to livelihood in Ethiopia. Although rice was introduced to the country very recently, it has proven to be a crop that can assure food security in Ethiopia. It is reported that the potential rice production area in Ethiopia is estimated to be about thirty million hectares. Since 2006, Ethiopian rice production trends show increases in both area and productivity. Considering the importance and potential of the crop, it has been recognized by the Government as “the new millennium crop of Ethiopia” to attain food security. Rice has become a commodity of strategic significance across many parts of Ethiopia for domestic consumption as well as export market for economic development. Due to the introduction of upland and irrigated rice varieties in the country, rice farming has increased from time to time. There has been twelve upland/lowland NERICAs and Sativa-type, and three irrigated rice varieties released in Ethiopia from 1999 up to 2007. However, Ethiopian rice sector still faces remaining challenges such as high competition with imported rice, poor infrastructure, insufficient mechanization and post-harvest processing technologies, lack of skilled manpower and research facilities, poor marketing infrastructure, and channels. Therefore, building the capacity of the research community, experts, smallholder farmers and the private sector is necessary not only to further increase production but also to improve the quality of rice products through better post-harvest handling and processing.

Factors limiting and preventing emerging farmers to progress to commercial agricultural farming in the King William's Town area of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

The aim of the study was to investigate the main limiting factors that prevent emerging farmers from progressing from subsistence to commercial agricultural farming in the Eastern Cape Province. The study was conducted in the King William's Town area by means of a structured questionnaire survey. A sample of 50 households was drawn from the research area which was chosen owing to its uniqueness with regard to agricultural potential. A descriptive analysis technique was employed to investigate the main limiting factors faced by farming households in migrating towards commercial agricultural markets. The findings demonstrated that the specific limiting factors emerging farmers face are poor physical infrastructure such as poor roads, lack of transportation to the markets from the farms, lack of marketing skills and information, poor market infrastructure, and high transaction costs, insufficient land availability to expand production, lack of agricultural implements to better production, poor production and farm management skills, as well as low education levels which results in an inability to interpret market information to be used in production planning and marketing. The results from the study highlighted that the government has a crucial role to play in increasing market participation of emerging farmers through encouraging group marketing, upgrading of roads to enable smooth accessibility of farmers to output markets and the establishment of local point sales in farming rural areas. Finally the study recommended that government provides planned workshops to all farmers in order to equip them with marketing knowledge.

Problems and Prospects of Agricultural Marketing in India

Agricuure is uie nearl o indian econ0ly. Te UUUI Ui uuia uepeius Un uie agriculture boom. Agriculture contributes to the overall economic growth of the ration and determines the standard of life more than 50% of Indian population. Agriculture contributes only about 14% to the Overall GDP but its impact is felt in the manufacture sector as well as the services sector as the rural population has become a significant consumer of goods and services in the last couples of decades. The term agriculture marketing includes all these activities like procurement, grading, storing, transporting and selling of the agriculture product. In India, numerous numbers of agriculture producer produced and marketing is tough challenge for these agriculture products. There has been big concerm in recent years regarding the efficiency of agriculture produces in India. The main reason for this concern is poor linkage in the marketing channels and poor marketing infrastructure. Agriculture marketing contributes many operations and processes through which the food and raw material more from the cultivated farrm to the consumers. The proper development of infrastructure system will not only decrease the cost of distribution but also facilitate to various section of the population like farmers, traders, consumers, scientists, sociologist, administrators etc. Indian agriculture has successfully commercialization. Agriculture has continued to be the source of livelihood to majority of the population in India. There is need to create awareness among the farmers through the types of agriculture sciences like the state development of agriculture, Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) so that the marketing information are incorporated in the extension services along with the population. In the end of paper provide some valuable suggestions that could help to make agricultural marketing services better, more valuable and economical for the producer, farmer, the consumer and the country as whole.

English

The aim of the study was to investigate the main limiting factors that prevent emerging farmers from progressing from subsistence to commercial agricultural farming in the Eastern Cape Province. The study was conducted in the King William’s Town area by means of a structured questionnaire survey. A sample of 50 households was drawn from the research area which was chosen owing to its uniqueness with regard to agricultural potential. A descriptive analysis technique was employed to investigate the main limiting factors faced by farming households in migrating towards commercial agricultural markets. The findings demonstrated that the specific limiting factors emerging farmers face are poor physical infrastructure such as poor roads, lack of transportation to the markets from the farms, lack of marketing skills and information, poor market infrastructure, and high transaction costs, insufficient land availability to expand production, lack of agricultural implements to better production, poor production and farm management skills, as well as low education levels which results in an inability to interpret market information to be used in production planning and marketing. The results from the study highlighted that the government has a crucial role to play in increasing market participation of emerging farmers through encouraging group marketing, upgrading of roads to enable smooth accessibility of farmers to output markets and the establishment of local point sales in farming rural areas. Finally the study recommended that government provides planned workshops to all farmers in order to equip them with marketing knowledge. Key words: Emerging farmer, constraints, Eastern Cape Province.

Corporate Financing in India: Some Stylized Facts of an Emerging Economy

This paper investigates the corporate financing trends in an emerging economy; India. The study reveals some stylized facts prevalent in the Indian financial markets and how Indian firms are accessing their capital requirements. In-depth analysis has been performed on the balance sheet data of Indian nonfinancial firms during time period 1992-2012. Study focused on the capital financing received as debt, equity and related forms. Trends showed that debt ratios in India remain low and falling over years, while equity ratios remain rising. As a share of total debt, bank financing rose during this period; while non-bank debt declined, which suggests the underdeveloped Indian corporate debt market. At the same time equity market infrastructure has enabled many firms to look for high equity finance; study shows the increased use of internal financing for most of the firms’ asset creation. Overall, the paper suggests that, firms in India seems to be deprived of the availability of credit through poor debt market infrastructure and highlights the contemporary corporate financing issues.

Corporate Financing in India: Some Stylized Facts of an Emerging Economy

This paper investigates the corporate financing trends in an emerging economy; India. The study reveals some stylized facts prevalent in the Indian financial markets and how Indian firms are accessing their capital requirements. In-depth analysis has been performed on the balance sheet data of Indian nonfinancial firms during time period 1992-2012. Study focused on the capital financing received as debt, equity and related forms. Trends showed that debt ratios in India remain low and falling over years, while equity ratios remain rising. As a share of total debt, bank financing rose during this period; while non-bank debt declined, which suggests the underdeveloped Indian corporate debt market. At the same time equity market infrastructure has enabled many firms to look for high equity finance; study shows the increased use of internal financing for most of the firms’ asset creation. Overall, the paper suggests that, firms in India seems to be deprived of the availability of credit through poor debt market infrastructure and highlights the contemporary corporate financing issues.

Improving of Small Farm Market Capability in Latvia

The aim of the paper is to analyze the possibilities to improve the market capability of small farms in Latvia. Therefore the paper deals with the factors constraining development plans of small farm holders, the current possibilities for improving small farm market capability, the possible development strategies to choose, and proposals for the improvement of small farm market capability in Latvia. The most significant barriers to implement the development plans for Latvian small farms are the lack of the production assets and also the difficulties to attract funding for long-term investments and current assets, as well as poor market infrastructure. The existing support measures have had a positive impact on the structural changes in Latvian agriculture; however, these measures have not been sufficient to solve the problems of the market capability of small farms and to contribute to their economic growth sufficiently. In order to improve the market capability of small farms of Latvia, programmatic approach is proposed consisting of four components: 1) training, 2) development of a business plan, 3) evaluation of a business plan, and 4) implementation of the business idea. Different instruments for the implementation of business ideas are attractable depending on whether the owner has selected the implementation of full-time agricultural strategies, part-time agricultural strategies or business diversification strategies.

Poverty Alleviation through Optimizing the Marketing of Garcinia kola and Irvingia gabonensis in Ondo State, Nigeria

The paper examines poverty alleviation through optimizing the marketing of Garcinia kola and Irvingia gabonensis in Ondo State, Nigeria. Data for this study were collected using structured questionnaire. Two categories of pretested structured questionnaires were used to obtain information from the respondents (farmers and the marketers of the species). Data analysis was done using descriptive analysis, and Student t-test was used to compare the income generated by the producers and the marketers of the fruits of the tree species. In addition, analysis of variance (ANOVA), arranged in randomized complete block design, was employed to test the significance of price variable across the three market structures (i.e., farm gate price, rural market price, and urban market price). Marketing of forest fruits species is a profitable enterprise with an average profit of ₦19,123.37 per marketer per month. The analysis of variance for the two forest fruit species indicated that Irvingia gabonensis generated the highest annual income in rainforest ecosystem while Garcinia kola generated the highest annual income in derived savanna ecosystem. Major constraints militating against these forest fruit species are poor market access and infrastructure development. The paper recommended among other things that domestication and interventions of these forest fruit species should be encouraged for proper management and sustainability.

Marketing Constraints Facing Emerging Small-Scale Pig Farmers in Gauteng Province, South Africa

While many studies have identified marketing as a constraint in the agricultural sector in South Africa, few have attempted to investigate the extent to which emerging small-scale farmers are able to access high-value markets in the pig industry. The main objective of this study was to examine marketing constraints faced by emerging small-scale pig farmers in Gauteng province. The research also investigated the effects of socio-economic factors on pig farmers’ annual net incomes. Thirty three farmers constituting about 65 percent of small-scale pig farmers were randomly selected in the study area. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data which was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The major marketing constraints faced by the emerging small-scale pig farmers include: lack of finance, poor marketing information access, lack of access to the existing high-value markets, poor market infrastructure and smaller herd sizes. The results of a multiple regression function indicate that, access to quality extension service and sizes of breeding herd have a positive and significant effect on the farmers’ net incomes. Recommendations suggested include: provision of quality extension services for the farmers in order to equip them with important production and marketing skills and the supply of useful marketing information. Furthermore, the formation of farmers’ cooperatives will enable the farmers to pool and market their products together to overcome the individual small production outputs problem and to attract favourable policies and support from government.

Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis for farming system businesses management: Case of wheat farmers of Shadervan District, Shoushtar Township, Iran

Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis indicates a framework for helping the researchers or planners to identify and priorities the business's goals, and to further identifies the strategies of achieving them. SWOT analysis is a technique to analyze the Strengths, Weakness, Opportunity, and Threats of business. In all countries, farming practices have vital role to food security. Population growth is the major reason for increased food demands and it puts additional pressure on the natural resource. Countries with rapid population growth face especially difficult challenges in ensuring food security. Therefore, using SWOT analysis identify strategies for agricultural development especially in farming systems and helping the researchers or planners to management and priorities them for achieving food security. The location of research was rural areas of Shadervan district of Shouahtar Township, Iran. The population of study was wheat farmers (N=1950). The sample size (n=165) selected by random sampling. Based on the results of SWOT, strategies for farming system management were prioritized. It include: development of poor local market opportunities and infrastructure, planting of crops with high economic values, development of governmental supports, preparing strategic plans to development organic farming, considering quality of crops, considering farm sustainability indexes, using sustainable water resources management and development of extension programs based on farmers needs. Key words: SWOT, farming, management.

Marketing value-chain of smallholder sheep and goats in crop-livestock mixed farming system of Alaba, Southern Ethiopia

This study was conducted in Alaba district of Southern Ethiopia to describe smallholder sheep and goats marketing systems, identify marketing constraints and suggest improvement options to enhance incomes of smallholder producers. Informal and formal study tools of focused group discussion, key informant interview, household survey and rapid market appraisal were employed to gather information from development partners, smallholder farmers, traders, transporters and consumers. Smallholder farmers sale sheep and goats to fulfill immediate household cash needs, particularly to acquire food items. Smallholder producers, small and large traders, brokers, transporters and consumers are the major market participant across the market channels. Mode of marketing is mainly on ‘eye-ball’ basis with one-on-one price negotiation. Farmers market animals of different age, sex and weight either at farm gate or local markets, while a range of traders are involved at various stages of markets until the animals reach final consumers. Supply, demand and price of animals have clear seasonal variations. Abuse by brokers, lack of price information, access to incentive markets, poor market infrastructure and seasonality of markets are the major challenges in improving benefit and livelihood of smallholder sheep and goat producers. Commercialization of smallholder systems, standardizing marketing with marketing information and infrastructures, integrated intervention of the market channels along the value chains and market actors, formation of marketing groups and co-operatives could improve marketing efficacy and profitability of smallholder sheep and goat system.

PRODUCTION AND MARKETING PROBLEMS IN SMALL SCALE HORTICULTURAL FARMING IN BOTSWANA

PRODUCTION AND MARKETING PROBLEMS IN SMALL SCALE HORTICULTURAL FARMING IN BOTSWANA

Land-Use Change and Livestock Production Challenges in an Integrated System: The Masai-Mara Ecosystem, Kenya

Participatory rural appraisal techniques and a survey of 100 households were used to evaluate livestock production, and pastoral development of the Maasai in Mara. It was observed that patterns of land-use have principally changed from nomadic pastoralism to sedentary pastoralism, agropastoralism, and, in some cases, pure cultivation. These trends have adversely affected livestock production and the productive capacity of the Mara ecosystem. Diminishing grazing area occasioned by expanding cropping patterns has negatively impacted on vegetation resources and the biodiversity of the ecosystem. It has also increased the intensity of conflict over diminishing land resources. Because the production system is largely subsistence with a strong livestock base, it is further undermined by, among other factors, animal diseases, water scarcity, land individualisation, poor marketing infrastructure, and livestock/wildlife conflicts. Based on the findings of the present study, development approaches need to emphasise integrated livestock and wildlife utilisation, land tenure reforms that embody livestock mobility as a key strategy of optimising the use of transient forage resources, disease control, and development of livestock marketing.

Decomposing changes in agricultural price gaps: an application to Russia

AbstractThe article develops a method for decomposing changes in agricultural price gaps, defined as the difference between a commodity's domestic producer and border prices. We use OECD's procedure for decomposing changes in the market price support part of producer support estimates as the starting point for our decomposition method, and our method provides a basis for critiquing OECD's decomposition approach. The transmission of changes in border prices (world prices and the exchange rate) to domestic prices is a key element in the decomposition. The method is demonstrated using Russian agricultural price gaps. The results support the argument that for Russian agriculture during the transition period, the main cause of changes in price gaps has been incomplete transmission of changes in the exchange rate to domestic prices, and where the weak transmission results mainly not from policy intervention, but rather from deficient market conditions, in particular poor market infrastructure. The policy implication is that underdeveloped infrastructure has strongly limited the benefits to the Russian economy from agricultural trade liberalization.

A Framework for Developing Secondary Markets for Government Securities

This paper consolidates previous work on the development of secondary markets for government securities, and focuses on the sequencing of measures necessary for their development. Six main lessons are identified: (i) a commitment to achieving and maintaining a stable macroeconomic environment, especially prudent fiscal policy, should underpin market development; (ii) a sound and transparent public debt management strategy supports secondary market activity; (iii) a deep and diverse investor base is required; (iv) poor market infrastructure leads to high transaction costs, slow order execution, and excessive operational risk, which all inhibit trading; (v) secondary market growth is facilitated by effective monetary policy implementation; and (vi) reforms should be sequenced to ensure even development of all the structures supporting the secondary market.

A Framework for Developing Secondary Markets for Government Securities

This paper consolidates previous work on the development of secondary markets for government securities, and focuses on the sequencing of measures necessary for their development. Six main lessons are identified: (i) a commitment to achieving and maintaining a stable macroeconomic environment, especially prudent fiscal policy, should underpin market development; (ii) a sound and transparent public debt management strategy supports secondary market activity; (iii) a deep and diverse investor base is required; (iv) poor market infrastructure leads to high transaction costs, slow order execution, and excessive operational risk, which all inhibit trading; (v) secondary market growth is facilitated by effective monetary policy implementation; and (vi) reforms should be sequenced to ensure even development of all the structures supporting the secondary market.