Determinants of Farmer’s Participation in Farmers’ Associations: Empirical Evidence from Maputo Green Belts, Mozambique

Abstract

Currently, the creation of farmers’ association has been suggested as an instrument for improving farmer’s well-being in developing countries, either to its potential contribution to markets access as well as by strengthening dissemination of information between farmers. However, most urban agriculture studies deal with production and marketing. Few studies analyze the determinants of producers' engagement in farmers’ associations. Therefore, the study has evaluated the determinants of producer’s participation in farmers’ associations in Maputo green belts, Mozambique. The random sampling technique has been used to collect data from 126 smallholders, of which 63 are the members of farmers’ association. A log it regression model has been used for quantifying the factors influencing farmer’s decision to affiliate on farmers’ association. The results of this study indicate that the variables with more influence on farmer’s decision to affiliate on farmers’ association are: gender, age, household size, and household income. Men are more likely to become members of farmer’s associations than women. The results also suggest that farmers outside farmers’ association have higher incomes and apparently have little interest for being affiliated to farmers associations because they can self-finance their agricultural activities. Access to credit and the size of cultivated area are not significant, however, the probability associated with the odds ratio for these variables have positive effects. The study recommends the implementation of agricultural programs and policies that encourage young farmers especially those with larger areas, and incomes to participate on agricultural and marketing associations.