Determinants of small-scale farmers' participation in Ethiopian fruit sector's value chain

This study attempted to investigate the determinants of small-scale farmers' participation decision and intensity of participation in the fruits (apple and mango) value chains in the Upper Blue Nile Basin, Ethiopia. Using a multi-stage sampling procedure, 384 growers were selected at random to participate in the survey. A structured household survey was the main tool for data collection. Descriptive statistical methods and the double-hurdle model were employed in the analysis. Our study finds that the probability of a household being participating in the apple value chain increases with household head education level, experience, extension contacts, and membership in local cooperatives, while decreases with household size and incidence of disease and insect pests. Results further showed that mango plot size and membership in local cooperatives increase the probability of participation decisions in the mango value chain. Moreover, households' intensity of participation in the apple value chain increases with education level and extension contacts, whereas age squared and distance to the nearest market decrease their intensity of participation in the mango value chain. Our findings suggest that policies aimed at improving rural infrastructure (roads and markets), price information systems, human capital, and promotion of farmers' cooperatives, as well as access to disease and insect pest control mechanisms, could improve the participation of farmers in the fruits value chain.