Production decisions and food security outcomes of smallholder’s livestock market participation: empirical evidence from Zimbabwe

Melesse, M B and Tirra, A N and Tui, S H and Rooyen, A V and Hauser, M (2023) Production decisions and food security outcomes of smallholder’s livestock market participation: empirical evidence from Zimbabwe. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems (TSI), 7. 01-13. ISSN 2571-581X

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Abstract

Smallholder market participation is an important pathway to improving the productivity and livelihoods of farm households. Despite several studies documenting the effect of market participation on crop production, relatively little is known about the effect of smallholder participation in livestock markets. We investigate effects of smallholder market participation on livestock production and household food security in Zimbabwe. Using survey data collected from 625 households and an instrumental variables strategy to address endogeneity concerns, we find that households participating in livestock markets are more likely to engage in market-oriented livestock production, use improved livestock inputs, and have better food security outcomes. While market participants are more likely to consider market conditions in their decisions, most farmers are needs-driven and cannot afford to adopt commercial-oriented behavior. Overall, smallholder livestock production systems respond to market incentives and can support food security strategies, particularly in drylands where crop production is risky.

Item Type:	Article
Divisions:	Research Program : East & Southern Africa
CRP:	UNSPECIFIED
Uncontrolled Keywords:	livestock production, market participation, improved livestock inputs, food security, instrumental variables, Zimbabwe
Subjects:	Others > Livestock Others > Food Security Others > Zimbabwe
Depositing User:	Mr Nagaraju T
Date Deposited:	27 Sep 2023 05:48
Last Modified:	27 Sep 2023 05:48
URI:	http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/12193
Official URL:	https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs...
Projects:	UNSPECIFIED
Funders:	UNSPECIFIED
Acknowledgement:	We would like to acknowledge the farmers in Gwanda and Mangwe districts of the Matabeleland South province of Zimbabwe who participated in this study. The authors are grateful to Dave Harris for technical editing and insightful comments. We thank Thabani Dube for his assistance in the fieldwork.
Links:	Google Scholar

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