Abstract:
Ethiopia has not yet reached its full agricultural potential since farming methods are still
centered on subsistence, despite the fact that raising the output of the agricultural sector is
thought to be the primary way out of the nation's poverty. In this regard, Cluster Farming
(CF) is engaged, as recent attempt to modernize subsistence farming, especially for
smallholder farmers. The objective of this study is to analysis the determinants of
smallholder farmers' participation in cluster farming practices in West Shoa Zone, Ambo
Woreda. However, limited studies are found in the study areas that about cluster farming
practices. This study aims to investigate smallholder farmer participation in cluster farming
practices by identifying determinant factors and aids agricultural sectors, policymakers, and
NGO in developing strategies and implementation insight. For this study, a total 165
smallholder farmers were selected from two Kebeles using a simple random sampling
technique. Both primary and secondary data were gathered. Descriptive statistics and
economic models were used. To analyze the major determinants of cluster farming practices
by smallholder farming households, a binary logistic regression model was used. More than
half of the smallholders (55.8%) were participating in cluster farming practices, while
smallholders (44.2%) were non-participating in cluster farming practices. The result of
binary logistic regression model showed that land size, awareness of cluster farming
practices, extension services, participation on farmers‟ field days, actively functioning FTC,
and access to agricultural inputs were all positively and statistically significant at the 5%
level. According to the results of the model, six explanatory variables were statistically
significant factors in smallholder farmers‟ participation in cluster farming practices. The
study area's smallholder farmers require suitable and nearby walkway farmland for cluster
farming; some cluster farming groups have been discontinued due to a lack of sustainable
monitoring; stakeholder support is limited; and their participation faces challenges like high
costs of agricultural input and small land size are major. Therefore, the government should
revise guidelines, train agricultural experts, and endorse production-generating strategies.
Mobilizing farmers unions, unemployed youths, and organizing farmers can also help reduce
household economic loads and solve the problem.
