Factors influencing the intensity of market participation of smallholder livestock producers in southwest Ethiopia

Livestock market participation is an important way to improve the livelihoods and income of the smallholder farmers in Southwest Ethiopia. Although it plays an important role, livestock producers do not fully participate in the livestock market. The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors that influence the intensity of livestock market participation in Southwest Ethiopia. To analyze the result, descriptive statistics and Poisson regression analysis were used. The results showed that 65.4% of the respondents have participated in livestock markets whereas 34.6% were not market participants. The Poisson regression result showed that experience in livestock production, education status, market access, access to grazing land, livestock owned and extension contact frequency affect positively while distance to a nearby market affects negatively and significantly on the intensity of livestock market participation. Based on the result of the study; lack of market access, long market distance, and lack of updated market information are the factors influencing livestock producers to engage in livestock market participation. Finally, this study suggests boosting farmer education through adult education and developing rural infrastructure (updated market information, road, and market and transport access), increase in farmers’ training centers, improves consultation and training service could enhance the intensity of livestock market participation.