Market Access for Smallholder Vegetable Farmers in The Kopay Divisional Secretariat Division in Jaffna District

Abstract

This study, titled "Market Access f<rr Smallholder Vegetable Fanners in Kopay Divisional Secretariat Division, Jaffna District," examines the factors influencingmarket accessibility among smallholder vegetable farmers. Agriculture is a key livelihood activity in the Jaffira District, and vegetable ctrltivation plays an important role in household income and food security. However, limited market access restricts the profitability and sustainability of small-scale fanning. Data were collected throtigh questionnaires and interviews with vegetable farmers, in the Kopay Division. The descriptive statistics analysis used major challenges such as poor transpoftation, lack of price information, and dependence on middlemen. Factors such as education level, farm size, access to extension sen'ices, and participation in farmer organizations were found to significantly improve market access. The study recommends strengthening farmer cooperatives, irnproving infrasffucture, and promoting direct marketing channels to enhance farmers income and market efficiency. These interventions can support sustainable agricultural development and irnprove the livelihoods of smallholder ve-eetable farmers in the Kopay reg