Strengthening Farm -agri Business Market Inkages: Improving Market Linkage of Asella Malt Factory and Small Malt Barley Producer Farmers, Arsi Zone, Ethiopia

The changes in food and agricultural markets the so-called industrialization of agriculture have influenced the need for higher levels of managed co-ordination. This has resulted in the introduction of different forms of vertical integration and alliances, which have become a dominant feature of agricultural supply chains. Allied to these changes is a worldwide increase in consumer demand for differentiated agricultural products. Strengthening farm-agribusiness linkages refers to improving farmers ability to add value by switching from subsistence crops to marketable crops, by entering into processing activities, or by establishing raw material supply arrangements with local or international processors. The fundamental purpose of strengthening farm agribusiness linkages is to help to transform the agricultural sector in order to accelerate productivity growth, increase income and employment generation, improve food security, and increase competitiveness agricultural trade.