Determinants of Smallholder Farmers’ Participation in Pond Fish Production in Dara and Wonsho Districts, Sidama Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

In developing countries like Ethiopia fish production plays a major role in food supply and poverty alleviation strategy. Despite the presence of opportunities to diversify fish production and thus maximize profit through product and market diversification, the farmers’ participation in pond fish production in Dara and Wonsho districts is perceived to be generally very low. Therefore, this study analyzed the determinants of farmers’ participation in pond fish production. Cross sectional research design and two stage-sampling techniques were implemented in this study. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected from the primary and secondary sources. Descriptive statistics and econometric analysis were employed to analyze data. The result of the Heckman two stage model showed that pond fish production participation decision was significantly influenced by sex, adult family size, and total land, livestock ownership, annual farm income and frequency of the extension contact. Moreover, the level of pond fish production participation was influenced by age, land holding, annual farm income and credit use. Thus, it is suggested to strengthen smallholder farmers’ participation in pond fish production via capacity improvement and enhanced access of proper technical support service provision.