Determinants of participation in farmer organisations among smallholder farmers in Malawi

This study investigated the prevalence and the determinants of participation in farmer organisations among smallholder farmers in Balaka District, Malawi. The study explored these issues using a sample of cotton farmers in Malawi, to specifically establish which were the critical factors that determine smallholder farmer participation in these institutional arrangements. Data were gathered from 170 smallholder farmers (those participating and those not participating in farmer organisations.). The results of the comparison of means show that non-members had slightly larger household sizes and total land area. However, members were slightly older than non-members, more educated, and had a higher proportion of female –headed households than non-members. Members also had more assets like bicycles and were more likely to use permanent labour and casual labour than non-members. Members were also more diversified than non-members (grew more crops and engaged in small businesses). The probit analysis indicated that age and household size significantly affected the decision to participate in farmer organisations among smallholder farmers. Land holding size and diversification activities were found to negatively affect the probability of participation in farmer organisations while having a friend who was a member of a farmer organisation positively affected the probability of participation. The distance to markets also positively affected the probability of smallholder participation in farmer organisation.