American Research Journal of Business and Management        cover
Open Access

American Research Journal of Business and Management

ISSN (Online): 2379-1047

DOI: 10.46568/arjbm

Research Article Vol. 10, Issue 1 2024 Open Access

Determinants of Wheat Value Chain Finance: The Case of Hetosa and Lode Hetosa Districts of Arsi Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia

Adem Bushi1, Tura Kaso Hamo2, Mohammed Hirpho3 

1Department of Agribusiness and value chain management, Arsi University.

2MSc, Assistant Professor, Department of Agribusiness and value chain management, Arsi University.

3Department of Mathematics, Arsi University.

Adem Bushi, Tura Kaso Hamo, Mohammed Hirpho, “Determinants of Wheat Value Chain Finance: The Case of Hetosa and Lode Hetosa Districts of Arsi Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia”, American Research Journal of Business and Management, Vol 10, no. 1, 2024, pp. 12-24.
Abstract
This research endeavor aimed to explore the factors influencing the financing of the wheat value chain in Hetosa and Lode Hetosa districts of Arsi zone, Oromia, Ethiopia. The specific objectives were to identify the determinants of credit utilization among wheat producers and examine the limitations and opportunities within the wheat value chain finance in the study area. A combination of qualitative and quantitative data from primary and secondary sources was collected. Primary data was obtained through semi-structured questionnaires administered to 154 farmers, 4 wholesalers, 4 flour factories, 8 retailers, 6 input suppliers, 20 consumers, and 4 bakeries. Descriptive statistics were utilized to analyze the socio-characteristics of the respondents, as well as to identify the challenges and opportunities associated with wheat value chain finance in the research area. A logit model was employed to assess the factors influencing the financing of the wheat value chain in Hetosa and Lode Hetosa districts. The results of the Binary logit model revealed that variables such as gender, educational level, wealth status of households, farm size, credit source, loan size, and interest rate significantly influenced the credit utilization of households in wheat value chain finance. Consequently, it is recommended that governmental and non-governmental organizations engaged in crop value chains should prioritize awareness campaigns and provide sufficient loan sizes based on households’ demands, while maintaining reasonable interest rates. Specifically, efforts should be made to promote education through extension services, enhance gender equity and equality in value chain finance, diversify and expand credit sources with fair interest rates, and develop alternative collateral options.