Commercialization of Teff production in West North Ethiopia

Abstract Background: Teff is only cereal crop Ethiopia’s in terms of production, acreage, and the number of farm holdings. It is one of the staples crops produced in the study area. However, the farm productivity, commercialization and level of intensity per hectare is low compared to the other cereals , Despite, smallholder farmers are not enough to participate in the teff market so the commercialization level is very low due to different factors. so, the study aimed to analyze determinants of smallholder farmer’s teff commercialization in west north, Ethiopia.Methods; A three-stage sampling procedure was used to take the sample respondents, 190 smallholder teff producers were selected to collect primary data through semi-structures questionnaires. Combinations of data analysis methods such as descriptive statistics and econometrics model (double hurdle) were used.Results: The average level of teff commercialization index of sampled Teff producers in the study area was 11.97%. The model result showed that the variables like age, gender, education, land size, variety, Teff market experience, distance to the nearest market, off-farm income, and credit were significantly affecting the market orientation of Teff production. Therefore, improving households’ market access, extension service, market orientation, education, and productivity of land (best agronomic practices) would enhance the commercialization level of smallholder Teff producers.