Factors Influencing Smallholder Potato Farmers’ Choice Decisions of Market Outlets in Musanze and Nyabihu Districts, Rwanda A Multivariate Probit Model

Potato Solanum tuberosum L. is an important crop that plays a major role in food security and poverty reduction to a large proportion of rural farmers in the North West than other parts of Rwanda. However, potato is a perishable product which necessitates an effective choice decision of the market outlet. This paper presents factors influencing smallholder potato farmers' choice decisions for market outlets in Rwanda. Through a multistage sampling technique, cross sectional data were collected from 585 smallholder potato farmers in Musanze and Nyabihu Districts.Both descriptive statistical methods and econometrics methods were used for data analysis. Multivariate probit model was used to determine the factors influencing smallholder potato farmers' choice decision to sell to particular market outlets. Results showed that farming experiences, level of education of decision maker, household size, household income, household assets, access to market information and distance to market significantly influenced the smallholder potato farmers' choice decisions of selling to consumer, retailer, wholesaler, cooperative, collection centres and processors market outlets. The study recommends establishment of structured market systems to improve access to potato market information. This should be supported by agricultural financingfor improved seeds acquisition and other productive inputs to enable farmers to increase surplus potato supplied to market. Improving the farmers' education in marketing would also help them to effectively deliver potato to efficient market outlet. Patrice Mugenzi | George Owour | Hillary K. Bett "Factors Influencing Smallholder Potato Farmers' Choice Decisions of Market Outlets in Musanze and Nyabihu Districts, Rwanda: A Multivariate Probit Model" Published in International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (ijtsrd), ISSN: 2456-6470, Volume-5 | Issue-4 , June 2021, URL: https://www.ijtsrd.compapers/ijtsrd43632.pdf Paper URL: https://www.ijtsrd.comengineering/agricultural-engineering/43632/factors-influencing-smallholder-potato-farmers'-choice-decisions-of-market-outlets-in-musanze-and-nyabihu-districts-rwanda-a-multivariate-probit-model/patrice-mugenzi