Pathway analysis of vegetable farming commercialization
This article (PDF) in the Economic Journal of Emerging Markets analyzes factors that determine farmers’ intention to commercialize vegetable farming; and the effect of commercialization on farmers’ income. Data for this study were compiled from a quantitative survey of 360 farm households located in four major vegetable producing regions of Eastern Indonesia. Results indicate that commercial vegetable farming provides economic advantage in terms of increased income and benefits for the whole rural community. In response to increasing expansion of vegetable production in other regions, it is recommended that intensive vegetable farming technology should be introduced in communities where farmers have easy access to credit, are relatively mature, and have good experience in vegetable farming. In such communities, intensive vegetable farming will be adopted widely by farmers as a process of commercialization. Where farmers are already familiar with use of mobile phones, they will adopt commercial vegetable farming, as they will have access to accurate market information. Vegetable market and agronomic technology that support intensive vegetable farming should be provided, and market information should be regularly updated. In terms of agronomic technology, the government in collaboration with private sectors need to provide more choices of fast-harvesting cultivars. Providing vocational education and training—particularly on agricultural subjects—in rural areas will encourage youth to engage in promising agribusinesses.