An Investigation of the Challenges Farmers Face in Accessing Local Markets for Agricultural Products: A Case Study of Hissa-e-Duwum Behsud

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the challenges farmers face in accessing local markets for agricultural products in the Hissa-e-Duwum Behsud district. The research employed a descriptive-exploratory methodology. Data were collected via a questionnaire administered to 384 farmers. The validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by the advising professor and subject matter experts, and its reliability was measured with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.715, indicating appropriate instrument reliability. The results revealed that the most significant barriers include high transportation costs, long distances to markets, insufficient information about prices and market demand, a lack of capital, and product storage difficulties. Exploratory factor analysis identified five principal factors: 1) Transportation Challenges to Market, 2) Marketing and Government Support Challenges, 3) Legal and Security Challenges, 4) Climatic and Market Volatility Challenges, and 5) Competition and Raw Material Supply Problems. Together, these factors explain 61.197% of the total variance. Based on the findings, the most critical solutions to mitigate these problems are developing roads and transportation means, providing marketing training, enhancing government support, and constructing adequate storage facilities.