Enhancing access to market information for multidimensional poverty reduction among smallholder tomato farmers in Nigeria

Abstract Access to reliable market information is widely acknowledged as a key driver of inclusive, sustainable poverty reduction. This study examines the effect of market information access on multidimensional poverty among smallholder tomato farmers in Nigeria. Using cross-sectional data collected from 300 farmers across major tomato-producing regions, a Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) was developed to capture deprivations across education, health, living standards, and agricultural livelihood indicators. The analysis differentiates between farmers with and without access to relevant market information, such as price, demand, and marketing outlet data, and employs a fractional response model with a control function approach to account for potential endogeneity. Results reveal that farmers with greater access to market information experience significantly lower multidimensional poverty incidence and intensity. The findings demonstrate that access to timely and credible market information strengthens farmers’ decision-making, enhances market participation, and reduces vulnerability. The study underscores the policy importance of strengthening agricultural information systems—particularly digital platforms and institutional linkages—to foster inclusive growth and advance poverty reduction among smallholder producers in Nigeria.