DETERMINANTS OF SUSTAINABLE SMALL-SCALE MUSHROOM CULTIVATION IN ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Even though the climate in Ethiopia is favorable and there are lots of opportunities for mushroom cultivation, due to different factors the cultivation of mushroom in Ethiopia in general and in Addis Ababa in particular is incommensurate. Moreover, in Addis Ababa those who have already joined the business are facing the problem of sustainability so that they are withdrawing from the business. Thus, the main objective of this study was to find out the major determinant factors affecting sustainable smallscale mushroom cultivation in Addis Ababa. The study applied multi-stage sampling techniques, i.e stratified and random sampling techniques. Using these methods, the study selected154 sample respondentsfor the purpose of collecting primary data. 71 sample cultivators were those who are still in cultivation while the rest83 were those who pulled out of the business. These respondents are legally registered and licensed by the authorized body and joined the business since 2005-2008 budget years. The study employed logistic regression model to analyze and find out the major factors affecting sustainable small-scale mushroom cultivation in the study area. And, according to the econometric result, out of 8(eight) explanatory variables 4 (four) were found to have significant correlation with sustainable mushroom cultivation. These are: access to extension services, access to product storage, development-induced displacement (DID) and access to product promotion on bazaar while the remaining four explanatory variables namely; level of education, house-hold size, seed price and business experience were found to be less powerful in explaining variations in sustainable mushroom cultivation in the study area. Based on the core findings, it is recommended that the concerned body (every district’s trade and industry development offices and micro and small enterprise development offices) should work very hard to enhance cultivators’ awareness aboutextension services and should equally provide the services to all cultivators.In addition, all cultivators should be equally invited on bazaars to promote their products. On the other hand, Addis saving and credit association should facilitate a long term loan to cultivators so that they easily access to proper product storage. Moreover, micro and small enterprises should facilitate an alternative land for cultivation to those who displaced.