Factors influencing Agripreneurs’ participation and investments in clean seed potato enterprises in Molo, Nakuru County, Kenya

Abstract

The Kenyan Seed potato production sector has failed to meet the high and growing demand for high quality seed. Enhanced participation and investments of more private seed potato multipliers could help increase availability and accessibility of quality seed and bridge the supply gap that meets less than 5% of the demand. However, factors that influence agripreneurs’ participation and level of investment in the multiplication of clean potato seed are not well known. The overall objective of this study was to contribute to food and nutrition security by increasing capacity of seed potato systems through enhanced clean seed potato enterprises in Nakuru County. The specific objectives were to: (1) characterize potato seed systems in Nakuru County, Kenya; (2) characterize the nature of investments in seed potato enterprises; (3) assess determinants of agripreneurs’ participation in the multiplication of clean seed potato; and (4) evaluate the factors influencing agripreneurs’ level of investment in the multiplication of clean seed potato. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in June, 2019 to 380 agripreneurs selected using both purposive and random sampling techniques. Data management and analysis was done using STATA and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for objectives one and two. Double hurdle model was used for objectives three and four. The results show that the dominant seed system used by the agripreneurs was own farm saved seed (60%). There was also a decrease in amount invested in seed potato enterprise from KES 167,248 in 2017 to KES 82,961 in 2019. The analysis revealed that some agripreneurs had previously been involved in selling seed potato at different levels. Majority (89%) were selling uncertified seed with a few (11%) involved in selling of certified seed. The double hurdle model analyses revealed that age, sex (male), having access to seed store, better selling price, having acquired trainings, longer family history in seed potato business, more years spent in school and years in potato farming significantly (P<.1) increased probability of agripreneurs’ decision to participate in clean seed potato enterprises. Number of seasons produced, total land under seed potato, annual income, frequency of getting extension service and initial acres under production significantly (P<.01) influenced level of investment in clean seed potato enterprises. There is need to strengthen the seed potato value chain through increased agripreneurs capacity building on potato production technologies. Inclusivity by encouraging youth and women to participate in seed enterprises to combine efforts with relatively older male producers will lead to increased seed supply. Government and other development agencies' should support in key investments such as seed storage facilities would encourage more agripreneurs to invest in seed enterprise