부산대학교 도서관

Access to market information is an important determinant in agricultural commercialisation. However, most econometric analysis have ignored effects of market information networks that necessitate dissemination among smallholders. This paper aims to assess the effects of social networks on commercialisation of African Leafy Vegetables (ALVs). ALVs which were once considered as poor man s crop have increasingly become an important crop due to the increased nutritional awareness especially among urban dwellers. We model its commercialisation using a two stage double hurdle model: participation decision and extent of commercialisation. The paper is based on data collected in 2015 from a household survey on 202 small holder vegetable farmers in Kenya. Econometric analysis were conducted on STATA 13. Social networks were found significant determinants in intensifying ALVs commercialisation. Market information received by people outside the village (bridging social capital) increased the likelihood of intensifying ALVs commercialisation by 52%. Market information received by fellow farmers mainly through farmer groups had a positive likelihood of intensifying commercialisation by 365% compared to information received by extension officers. Other positive determinants of ALVs commercialisation were farm size, household size, ALVs income share while negative determinants were livestock unit, age, and share of off farm income. Acknowledgement : The authors are grateful for research grants from the Horticultural Innovations and Learning for Improved Nutrition and Livelihood in East Africa project (HORTINLEA) funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research and the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany.