Determinants of Market Participation among Smallholder Cassava Farmers in Osisioma L.G.A of Abia State, Nigeria

The study examined the determinants of market participation among cassava marketers in Osisioma L.G.A of Abia State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study examined the socioeconomic characteristics of cassava farmers in the study area; assessed the level of participation in the market by the farmerss; examined the cost and return of cassava farmers in the study area; estimated the determinants of net income of cassava farmers in the study area; and identified the constraints involved in market participation of cassava farmers in the study area. A multistage sampling technique was used in selecting 60 respondents for the study. Data for the study were obtained using a well-constructed questionnaire. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, market participation index, and multiple regression models. Results showed that most respondents (31.67%) belonged to the 30-39 age group, with a mean age of 46 years old, implying that the farmers are middle-aged marketers. The majority of farmers (68.33%) were females, while only about 31.67% were single. The majority of the farmers (68.33) recorded a participation index range of 0.10-0.24, with a mean value of 0.23, implying they were subsistent marketers. The cassava farmers realized a monthly average total revenue of ₦175,665.65 and incurred an average total marketing cost of ₦153,464.65 while the net profit was ₦22,201.00, implying that cassava marketing in the study area is profitable. Level of market participation, educational level, household size, value of output, and cooperative membership were the positive and significant determinants of the net income while market charges had a negative and significant relationship with the net income of marketers. All farmers encountered constraints such as high transportation costs, price fluctuations, and elevated market charges within the study area. The study recommended that government and governmental organizations should sensitize and motivate cassava farmers to join cooperative societies for collective bargaining and to moderate the high market charges.