Abstract

Rural households participation in agricultural markets is vital important strategy for poverty alleviation and food security in developing countries. Sorghum has been considered as strategic crop by the Ethiopian government enhancing food security and essential source of income for farmers. Previous research has focused on adoption of sorghum however, there is no adequate studies in Ethiopia, particularly in Arsi zone focusing on determinants of smallholder sorghum commercialization. This study aimed at analyzing factors determining smallholder sorghum farmers decision to participate in output market in Gololcha and Shene Kolu Districts of Arsi zone. A three stage random sampling technique was employed to select a sample of 130 smallholder sorghum producer household heads. Primary data were collected using semi-structured questionnaire and focus group discussion while, secondary data were collected from offices, journal articles, books and central statical authority. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics while pair wise ranking and narration were used for qualitative data analysis. Furthermore, probit econometric model were used. The result of probit model revealed that Gender of the household head, access to market information and volume of sorghum consumption influenced the decision to sell sorghum positively and significantly, while age of the household head and volume of sorghum consumption influenced negatively and significantly. Therefore government authority and other concerned bodies should take into consideration the aforementioned demographic, socioeconomic, and institutional factors to improve the performance of sorghum commercialization in Arsi zone of Oromia regional state.