Abstract:
Barley crop is one of the most important cereal crops cultivated by smallholder farmers in North
Gondar Zone because they derive benefits such as income, source of food and rural employment. In
addition, barley is becoming an important market oriented crop in Ethiopia. In spite of the policy
decision of the Government of Ethiopia to commercialize subsistence agriculture, there is lack of
information on the commercialization process and marketing behavior of smallholder’s barley farmers
In North Gondar Zone. This study analyzes factors that influence smallholder barley producer’s market
orientation and market participation. A random sampling technique was employed to select 199 barley
producers from sampled kebeles in the study area. The result showed that the average level of market
orientation index for barely was 0.26, while the average crop output market participation was 57%. The
result of multiple regression model indicated membership of cooperative, tropical livestock unit, land
cultivated for barely, land fragmentation, access to market information and extension service affect
market orientation positively and negatively, while sex of household, oxen owned and market
information affect market participation at input side. Tobit model was estimated to identify the factors
influencing market output participation. Moreover, the result also showed that market orientation
translates strongly into market participation. The key implication of this study is that interventions
aimed at enabling access to market information, extension services and training should enhance
market orientation, participation and commercialization of smallholder barely producers.
