Table_1_Production decisions and food security outcomes of smallholder’s livestock market participation: empirical evidence from Zimbabwe.pdf

Smallholder market participation is an important pathway to improving the productivity and livelihoods of farm households. Despite several studies documenting the effect of market participation on crop production, relatively little is known about the effect of smallholder participation in livestock markets. We investigate effects of smallholder market participation on livestock production and household food security in Zimbabwe. Using survey data collected from 625 households and an instrumental variables strategy to address endogeneity concerns, we find that households participating in livestock markets are more likely to engage in market-oriented livestock production, use improved livestock inputs, and have better food security outcomes. While market participants are more likely to consider market conditions in their decisions, most farmers are needs-driven and cannot afford to adopt commercial-oriented behavior. Overall, smallholder livestock production systems respond to market incentives and can support food security strategies, particularly in drylands where crop production is risky.

小农户市场参与是提升农户生产效率与生计水平的重要路径。尽管已有多项研究探讨了市场参与对作物生产的影响，但学界对小农户参与牲畜市场的效应仍知之甚少。本研究以津巴布韦为研究对象，考察小农户市场参与对牲畜生产与家庭粮食安全的影响。研究采用625户农户的调研数据，并运用工具变量法（instrumental variables strategy）解决内生性问题，结果显示：参与牲畜市场的农户更倾向于开展市场化牲畜生产、使用改良型畜牧生产投入品，且粮食安全状况更佳。尽管市场参与农户在决策中更易考量市场行情，但多数农户仍以需求为导向，无力采取商业化经营行为。总体而言，小农户畜牧生产体系能够对市场激励做出响应，并可支撑粮食安全保障策略，尤其在作物生产风险较高的干旱地区，该体系的作用更为显著。