Teff (Eragrostis tef) Commercialization: Status, constraints and opportunities in Offa District, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

There is a lack of scientific work on identifying limiting factors of smallholder market orientation. This study investigated the status, constraints, and opportunities of Teff commercialization in southern Ethiopia. The study used both primary and secondary data sources to address research objectives. We used the multistage sampling technique to select 177 representative Teff farmers in the Offa district. To analyze the data, descriptive statistics and a Tobit econometric model were used. Kendall’s coefficient of concordance was used to rank the limitations of Teff commercialization. The results of the descriptive statistics indicated that 22.03% were high commercial, 59.32% were medium commercial, and 18.65% were low commercial farmers. The average commercialization status of Teff farmers in the Offa district was 53.73%. The results of the Tobit model revealed that age, amount of Teff produced, farming experience, extension service, farm size, educational status, and distance to market significantly affect Teff commercialization. The identified constraints of Teff commercialization are poor market access, poor market information, land shortage, and high fertilizer costs. In contrast, the opportunities are active demand and a short growing season of Teff. Requirements to encourage Teff commercialization are to create the farmer-to-farmer experience sharing, training on market-oriented production and improving infrastructure in the area.