Running Head: Factors Affecting Market Access for Horticultural Farmers

Access to markets is crucial in enhancing agricultural sales and improving small-scale farmers’ revenue. This study was carried out to determine and analyze the factors that affect small-scale horticultural farmers’ access to domestic markets. The study engaged various producers from the North Central, Kavango, and Zambezi production zones as well as the formal and informal traders from the Central, Karst, North Central, Kavango, and Zambezi trading zones. Moreover, a survey approach was used, where a sample of 30 key and active small-scale producers, 17 formal traders, and 25 informal traders were selected. The data was analysed using Microsoft Excel, and SPSS. Results indicate that about 3 factors that were run in the logic model, age, distance to market and access to information significantly affect the producer’s access to markets. Furthermore, the study found that other factors such as transport cost, compromised quality, inconsistent supply, and lack of cold storage and transport facilities, limit small-scale producers’ participation in the formal markets. Therefore, this study recommends that fruit value chain development should be included in the Crop Value Chain Strategy, to have targeted interventions that will stimulate market access by small-scale horticulture producers in Namibia.