ANALYSIS OF FACTORS INFLUENCING SMALL HOLDER FARMER'S MAIZE MARKET PARTICIPATION DECISIONS AND INTENSITY IN MISRAK SILTI DISTRICT, CENTRAL ETHIOPIA

ABSTRACT Maize is a vital cereal crop in Sub-Saharan Africa, supporting millions of smallholder farmers.<br> Ethiopia, a major producer, faces challenges in maize production and marketing due to<br> subsistence practices. This study aimed to analyze factors influencing smallholder farmers'<br> participation in the maize market, including challenges faced, decision-making factors, and<br> intensity of market participation in Misrak Silti District of silte zone, Central Ethiopia region. This<br> study used a cross-sectional research design to gather primary data on farmers' participation in<br> the maize market from four kebeles through questionnaire. A multi-stage sampling technique was<br> used to select 370 households for data collection. Descriptive and econometric techniques were<br> used in the investigation to provide a comprehensive grasp of market participation. According to<br> the study, market participants and non-participants differed demographically, participants<br> possessing more maize land and better levels of education. Off-farm income was higher for nonparticipants.<br> Significant obstacles faced by maize farmers were insufficient storage/infrastructure<br> (32.16%), market-related problems (26.49%), and a lack of improved inputs (22.97%). The<br> Double-Hurdle model result showed that farm experience, education level, land size, and the<br> amount of maize produced, have a significant and positive effect on the decision to participate in<br> the maize market, whereas age, livestock holdings, and market distance have a significant and<br> negative effect. The result also showed that a number of factors, such as family size, livestock<br> holdings, and age had a significant negative effect on the intensity of the maize market<br> participation while education level, extension contact, farm experience, land size, and the amount<br> of maize produced, had a significant positive effect. Policymakers should implement an integrated<br> strategy to increase maize market participation and sales intensity, including extension services,<br> farmer education, rural infrastructure, land productivity promotion, and better credit access.<br>