Factors influencing farmers’ behavior in rice seed selling in the market: a case study in the Tarai region of Nepald

Abstract

The importance of rice in food security and livelihoods of Nepalese people is well recognized but the seed supply system of this crop in the rural areas is poorly developed. To increase farmers' access to a wide range of rice varietal choices in a cost effective way, some farmers, organized in groups or cooperatives, have started producing and marketing rice seed through development projects in recent years. But very limited information has been published about the performance of the farmers in rice seed marketing. In this study, we analyze the impact of households' socio-economic variables on market participation and volume of rice seed sold, using a Heckman selection model. Data for the study were collected from three Tarai districts (Siraha, Kailali and Chitwan) in Nepal with a sample size of 180, that is, 60 households from each district. Result shows that 65% of households sell 64% of rice seed produced. Households with agricultural training, share contribution to their organization and higher livestock numbers are more likely to participate in the market. Similarly, households with older household heads, higher operational land, and access to an irrigation facility sell a higher amount of rice seed in the market. Seed price has a positive influence both on market participation and seed volume sold.

Factors influencing participation in collective marketing through organic rice farmer groups in northeast Thailand

“…Quantitatively, as age increased by one year, the percentage of collective sale decreased by 1.6% points on average, holding other variables constant. This result conforms to Khanal and Maharjan (2013) and Martey et al. (2014) who found that younger farmers were more willing to participate in collective action in agriculture ( Xaba and Masuku, 2013 ).…”

“…This may be because larger farms can harvest more, thereby increasing marketable surplus ( Mukundi et al., 2013 ; Pochanasomboon et al., 2020 ; Vu et al., 2020 ; Kumse et al., 2021 ). Limitation in landholding typically impedes economic performance of a farm due to limited marketable surplus and insufficient ability to meet the standards of agricultural businesses ( Khanal and Maharjan, 2013 ; Pochanasomboon et al., 2020 ; Vu et al., 2020 ). Mathenge et al.…”

“…Additionally, collective action is a potential instrument to enhance access to credit services, appropriate infrastructure, technical capacity, and to reduce transaction costs for smallholders ( Petcho et al., 2019 ). Hence, it is one of the strategic institutional instruments that enhance smallholder producers' competitiveness in the value chains ( Etwire et al., 2013 ; Khanal and Maharjan, 2013 ; Mabuza et al., 2015 ).…”

Unearthing Unevenness of Potato Seed Networks in the High Andes: A Comparison of Distinct Cultivar Groups and Farmer Types Following Seasons With and Without Acute Stress

“…The role of specialized seed producers has been highlighted in other smallholder contexts for their ability to link the informal and formal systems and disseminate new crop varieties in a cost-effective way, albeit involving relatively small seed volumes (Otsyula et al, 2004;Nasirumbi et al, 2008;Khanal and Maharjan, 2014). In Peru's central highlands, the comparative advantage of seed specialists relates to their capacity to provide large volumes of seed of a limited number of common cultivars to specific users.…”

Farmer’s considerations of grain quality based on government policy: Hutabayu Raja District, Simalungun Regency, North Sumatera Province

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