Determinants of Beekeepers Market Outlet Choice of Honey: In Case of Masha Woreda Sheka Zone, Southwestern Ethiopia

Abstract

Apiculture sector has crucial role in improving the livelihoods of farmers through family income, employment generation, and poverty alleviation as well as to improve nutritional status of the family in Masha Woreda. This study aimed at identifying determinants of the beekeepers market outlet choice. The primary data for this study were collected from 147 beekeepers and analyzed using application of appropriate statistical tools. There were four honey market outlet choices in the study area such as Tej (locally prepared drink) makers, Retailers, Cooperatives and Processor. The Multivariate probit model result showed that the market outlet choice of the farmers affected by age of the HH head, education level of the HH head, HH adult equivalent, extension service, distance to the nearest market, membership in cooperative, information access, credit access and mode of sale. Therefore, policies promoting farmers access to extension service, credit and market information access, and cooperative development are recommended to improve beekeepers income in the study area.

Keywords: Market outlet, Multivariate probit model