Evaluation of Effect of Marketing Green Maize on Household Income And Food Security A Case of Smallholder Farmers In Bomet Kenya

Abstract

The Kenyan economy depends largely on agriculture sector with about 75% of total agricultural production comprising of smallholder farmers. These farmers account for over 75% of total maize production. Maize being the major food in the country, it implies small-scale farmers contribute immensely towards food security. However, farmers are faced by the challenge of when, where and how to market their maize so as to increase household income and enhance food security. This study was conducted in Ndanai and Sotik divisions of Bomet district. The objectives of the study were to identify the socio-economic characteristics of maize farmers, determine gross margins of marketing green maize vis-a-vis dry maize and to determine the socio-economic factors that influence the marketing of green maize. Data was collected with the aid of structured questionnaires from 100 respondents selected through multistage sampling technique. Descriptive statistics, gross margins and regression methods were used. Descriptive analysis of socio-economic characteristics indicated majority of the respondents, (56%) were aged between 36 years and 55 years and produced and marketed maize most. Literacy level was very high as about 64% of respondents had secondary and technical education, 30% had primary whereas only 6% had no formal education. Families were relatively large with an average of 6.7 members and small- scale with a mean farm size of 3.96 acres. Marketing of green maize was generally profitable as reflected in the gross margin and mean gross margins estimated, as Ksh.59337.3O and Ksh.34236.9O respectively. Regression results from a logit model showed that farm size, land tenure, gender, capital investment and group membership influenced the marketing of green maize positively and significantly while household size, farmer’s age and total amount invested on labour had an inverse relationship. The independent samples t-test from the logit model indicated that the marketing of green maize did not have significant effect on the household income at 0.05 significant levels. The study revealed that unit marketing costs for green maize were very high resulting to low per unit retums. Based on the findings, the study recommends that marketing of green maize is a worthwhile undertaking but must be regulated by the government to enhance food security while increasing household income.