Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

This study analyses farmers’ adjustments of vegetable production and trading decisions in relation to a number of market- as well as non-market related factors. Fluctuations in the price of vegetables, degree of specialization in vegetable production and the choice of vegetable crop portfolio, as well as the impact of external actors such as GOs and NGOs are examples of factors influencing farmers’ decisions and actions.

Empirical data for the discussion on the issues above were collected using qualitative and quantitative approaches during fieldwork in Sam Raong and Dan Run communes in Sourt Nikom district, Siem Reap province, Cambodia. Seasonal calendar, ranking, venn diagram, problem tree, and feedback information were used in qualitative methodology. In the quantitative approach, 60 households were interviewed in a questionnaire survey.

The result shows that, farmers actively integrate their vegetable production to the markets but not in an optimal way, why the profitability is lower than what could be expected. Some farmers expand vegetable production in large scale in order to satisfy the high demand of traders. Unfortunately they supply only seasonally, something which dynamic traders do not prefer. Other farmers grow all year around but it is at very small scale. This reduces the benefits in comparison with the large scale and seasonal growers. Vegetable growers also assess the quality and prices of inputs but they lack understanding about the importance of checking expiry date, usage instruction, and bargaining the prices. Also, they try to engage with relevant stakeholders like government authorities or non-government organizations in order to improve their vegetables production. However, the level of acceptance and adoption of new techniques is still limited. Finally, while farmers strive to create more options for selling their vegetables to reduce the effects of price shocks, they are still not successful in meeting the requirements of traders who are able to offer the higher price levels typical for the city markets.

The outcomes from vegetables production are clearly positive but farmers are not reaching the marginal profit. Cash income from vegetable sales constitutes nearly 70% of total net cash income among the sampled farm households. Differences in the ways farmers integrate in the markets result in different incomes from vegetable sales. While Sam Raong commune’s farmers earned profits from vegetable sales at the level of an average of 2,497 000 Riel, Dan Run farmers only made a profit of 1,302 000 Riel per annum.

The study discusses the ways in which farmers’ assets endowment, government and NGOs involvement, social relationship, price fluctuation, food security considerations, commodity, and natural conditions affect farmers’ decision in both vegetables production and trading process.