The Impact of Inset Production on Smallholder Farmer’s Income On Masha District, Sheka Zone, South West Ethiopia

Abstract

Agriculture is a crucial driver of long-term growth and economic development, significantly contributing to GDP globally and in Africa, particularly in Ethiopia. Root and tuber crops, such as enset, sweet potato, potato, cassava, and yams, play a key role in ensuring food security and income. However, enset farming faces challenges including inefficient traditional methods, insufficient extension activities, market imperfections, and limited research, which hinder its full potential. This study examines the impact of enset (Ensete ventricosum) production on smallholder farmers' income in the Masha district, Sheka Zone. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, data was collected from 270 households, supplemented by key informant interviews and focus group discussions, to provide comprehensive insights into enset production's efficiency and benefits. The study utilized descriptive statistics, binary logistic regression, and propensity score matching models to assess enset crop production determinants and its impact on smallholder farmers' income. Significant associations were found between enset farming participation and demographic, socioeconomic, and institutional variables. Factors such as marital status, land size, farming experience, credit access, oxen ownership, and extension contact were identified as significant influencers of enset production. The propensity score matching models revealed that enset producers had an annual income higher by 46,448.9704 ETB compared to non-producers. The research emphasizes the need for targeted interventions to enhance enset productivity through advanced agronomic practices, improved credit access, regular extension services, and robust market linkages. Enset cultivation contributes to sustainable rural development and climate change mitigation by providing food, animal feed, biofuel, traditional medicine, soil conservation, and carbon sequestration. Further studies should focus on enset production system accessibility, marketing integration, and the integration of indigenous knowledge with current agricultural practices, along with strengthening innovation systems and fostering stakeholder collaboration.