Analysis of Socio-Economic Factors Affecting Banana Production: Evidences from Lowlands of Uba Debretsehay Woreda, Gamo Gofa Zone, SNNPRS

Abstract

This study was aimed at investigating the factors influencing production of banana for Uba Debre Tsehay Woreda, Gammo Gofa zone of SNNPRS with the specific objectives of identifying and analyzing the factors influencing production of banana in the study area. In order to attain these objectives the study made use of primary and secondary data. The data were generated by individual interview schedules and focus group discussions using pre-tested semi-structured questionnaires and checklists respectively. This was supplemented by secondary data. Descriptive and the Cobb-Douglass production function were used to analyze the socio-economic factors affecting banana production in the area. The study has identified the main factors affecting banana yield. The regression results showed that level of education, household size and fertilizer were positively related output at 1% and 5% level of significance whilst experience in banana production and price were negatively related to output at 10% and 1% level of significance. The farmers were also faced other constraints as obtained from FGD’s like lack of market access, distance to market and lack of road to the main outlets. Therefore extension work should focus on encouraging farmers to use the household productive labour force efficiently, and inputs like fertilizer should be provided to increase the yield of banana. Again the findings suggest that effective market information service and infrastructure development access has to be established to overcome the fluctuating price.

Keywords: Socio-Economic factors, Banana Production, Uba Debretsehay Woreda