Market Information Access Capability of Rural Farmer in Nga Son, Thanh Hoa, Viet Nam

Abstract

This research analyzes the impact of farmers' capability to access market information on the improvement of farmer household livelihood. For this purpose, a fieldwork was conducted in Nga Son district with specific objectives: (i) To describe the market information system in Nga Son, Thanh Hoa; (ii) To identify the farmers' capability of access, understanding and use of market information; (iii) To explore the influence of access and use of market information on the change of farmer household economic condition; and (iv) To determine farmer's advantages and disadvantages of access to market information in Nga Son. The results show that: (i) The system provides MI service has initially formed in Nga Son district, in which the extension station and staff play as key roles; (ii) The farmers' capability of access in the district still remain at average level and farmers are sluggish in access to market information service; (iii) The farmers' capability of access to market information closely related to their annual incomes; (iv) Factors that impact on the farmers' capability of access to market information including educational background, economic condition of household and effective supports and interventions of local government, of which the economic conditions of households is the main factor. Based on empirical results mentioned, our proposed suggestions are: (i) Strengthen the market information system; (ii) Improve the capability to access market information of farmers through training courses; and (iii) Increase public awareness and investment within refurbishing the transportation systems, restructuring the marketing system, promoting the development of cooperatives, enhancing the application of high technologies such as Internet, mobile phone, radio and newspaper to provide reliable market information services.