Market-Oriented Agriculture and Food Security: Evidence from Vegetable Farmers of Korhogo, Northern Côte d’Ivoire

TL;DR

This study explores how market-oriented farming affects food security among vegetable farmers in northern Côte d’Ivoire.

Contribution

The paper provides empirical evidence on how market-oriented farming improves food security outcomes in a specific regional context.

Findings

Market-oriented farming is linked to higher food-consumption scores and dietary diversity.

Proximity to markets and education level significantly influence adoption of market-oriented farming.

Policies supporting local markets and entrepreneurship can enhance food security in rural communities.

Abstract

Market-oriented agriculture functions as a critical mechanism by which rural farmers can alleviate poverty and enhance food security, and it is actively promoted in Côte d’Ivoire. However, household food security varies across commercialized farmers depending on context and region. This paper examines variations in food security between different market-oriented vegetable-farming households in rural northern Côte d’Ivoire. Using cross-sectional data from 200 vegetable farmers, this study employs an endogenous switching regression model to address potential selectivity bias. The results show that market-oriented farming is positively associated with higher food-consumption scores, greater dietary diversity, and increased caloric intake. Moreover, nonparticipants or semi-subsistence farmers are expected to achieve better food-security outcomes under market-oriented conditions. Key factors influencing the adoption of market-oriented farming include market proximity, access to extension services, and education level. This paper advocates for policies tailored to specific environments, such as rural smallholder farming communities, that support local markets and encourage entrepreneurship, especially among women and youth, and ensure the accessibility of improved inputs, thereby supporting market-oriented agriculture and enhancing food security.

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