Challenges and Opportunities for Smallholder Farmers Participation in Teff Market in Ambo District, West Shoa Zone of Oromia, Ethiopia
Azeb Bekele Habtewolde, Tadelemelaku Challa

Abstract
The study was conducted to investigate the extent of participation in teff market and to identify the major challenge and opportunity teff production and marketing in Ambo district West Shoa Zone of Oromia. Two main teff producer Kebeles, namely Amaro and Gossu Kora were selected by using simple random sampling technique from 11high potential teff producing Kebeles in Ambo district. A total of 142 teff growing households were selected using random sampling and then interviewed. The result indicated that the study areas are among the surplus teff producing Kebeles in the district and it was found that 50% the market surplus obtained. Opportunities of teff production and market of the study areas are clearly identified which includes high demand of teff in the market, nearness to market, availability suitable climate and soil and high support and encouragements by the government. The main challenges observed in the study areas are lack of finance to invest; lack of improving farm tools; practicing very poor harvesting methods; shortage of land; high cost of production and low productively. It is recommended that farmers use modern technologies such as improved production methods, improved seeds, and farming tools; access to credit and labor reducing technologies to increase the supply of teff into the market. Moreover, reducing non-farm activities by making teff production more profitable and farmers must devote more time to farming activities. Further research needed on teff market chain analysis starting from producer to final consumers, and critical analysis on the value chain of teff.

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