Economics of Common Bean (Phaseolus Vulgaris L) Seed Marketing By Smallholders Producers in Boricha District, Sidama Zone, Southern Ethiopia

This study was conducted in Boricha district to examine the performance of a common bean seed market and determinants of bean seed supplied to the market. In Ethiopia, seed sector analyses have focused on generic marketing and production processes. However, sector-specific studies are important to measure the different economic aspects of production and productivity. The data was collected from 140 bean seed-producers by using an interview schedule. Descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression models (MLR) were used to analyze the data. Four bean seed marketing channels were identified. A high volume of 1179 quintals of bean seed was marketed through the producers-primary cooperatives-unions-governments-consumers channel and the lowest quantity of 378 quintals were marketed through the producers-local collectors-wholesalers-retailers-consumers channel. Among all actors in the chain, 47% of gross profit generated by producers. Government-owned organizations that are responsible for moving seed from different marketers to farmers have generated a minimum gross profit of 2.5%. The MLR result indicated that educational status (p<0.01), farm gates price expectation (p<0.05), access to market price information (p<0.01) and farm experience (p<0.01) significantly determined the marketed supply of bean seed. Therefore, adequate functional adult education, timely and accurate market price information and farm experience skill development are policy directions towards improving the farmers’ market participation. Keywords: Bean seed, multiple linear regressions, Channels, marketed supply, generic, sector-specific DOI: 10.7176/JMCR/67-03 Publication date: April 30 th 2020