This study examined the determinants of market access for members of improved potato seed producers’ cooperative in Jeldu District. The specific objectives of the study are to assess the marketing channels of the potato seed, to analyze the factors that affect members to market access,, and to identify the market problems potato seed of the sample farmers. Purposive sampling technique was used to select Jeldu district and four primary cooperatives from the sample frame and based on random sampling techniques of probability proportional to the size, 139 sample respondents have been selected. The analysis of the study was based on both primary and secondary data sources that combined qualitative and quantitative data which were collected from the members of the sampled cooperatives through a questionnaire, Checklist for Key Informants, and focal group discussions. Data analysis was carried out using descriptive statistics and a logit regression model. Based on the analyses, the main findings of the study revealed that in general majority of the sample cooperatives members (54%) had access to the market through their cooperative and 46% of them have not accessed the market through cooperatives the last year. According to the result of the Logit model; storage facility, price, transportation facilities, and quality of seed produced were significant at less than one percent; training and education, distance from cooperatives, and availability of marketing agent were considered significant at less than five percent probability level; and market information and management commitment were significant at less than ten percent probability level. In addition to the above findings, the study also showed that marketing problems of members in the study area were: Infrastructural problems (such as inadequate road facilities, lack of storage facility, lack of transportation truck, high transportation cost), lack of proper and up-to-date market information, price fluctuation, seasonal demands of potatoes seed, poor linkage of members with credit service organizations and quality problems were the major marketing problems included in the study. So, this and other problems related to the members in the study area need to give attention to the concerning government and cooperative bodies.

Keywords: Market Access, Cooperative members, Improved Potato Seed, Producers, logit regression