Influence of one acre fund maize project on the livelihooods of beneficiaries in Kanduyi Sub-County, Bungoma County,Kenya

Abstract

This study assessed the level of adoption of One Acre fund (OAF) agricultural project and its influence on the livelihoods of beneficiaries in Kanduyi Sub-county, Bungoma County. The study was motivated by the desire to ascertain the influence of One Acre Fund on livelihoods of beneficiaries since majority of farmers had adopted it. The study was deemed appropriate because One Acre Fund management is set to implement it in the next 10 years from the year 2008, with the aim of reaching l million farmers. The objectives of the study were to; establish factors that influence adoption of One Acre Fund project by farmers, assess the extent of participation of One Acre Fund farmers in the design, planning, and execution of OAF projects; examine challenges facing One Acre Fund projects run by farmers and to establish strategies of enhancing the performance of One Acre Fund project and livelihoods of beneficiaries in Kanduyi Sub-county. The study was premised on two theories; the innovation diffusion model and the sustainable livelihoods model. Descriptive research design, survey and ‘before’ and ‘after’ designs were used in the study. A sociological inquiry in the form of an interview was done on a sample of ll6 respondents who had adopted OAF. Furthermore, questionnaire was administered to 6 key informants of the study. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were used to get the desired sample. Descriptive statistical techniques such as percentages, measures of central tendencies and frequencies were used for data analysis. The study findings showed that majority of OAF farmers were small scale women farmers with farm sizes of below 3 acres. Moreover, majority of the farmers had primary education and were below 39 years of age. OAF change agents (field officers) and snow ball effect of friends played a crucial role in mobilizing farmers tojoin OAF, also good harvest, provision of inputs on credit, efficient training in field schools were key drivers in joining OAF. Farmers greatly participated in the decision making process in OAF farming by forming training and planting groups. The project had greatly improved farmers’ livelihoods in terms of improved food security, increase in income, and good health care. Key challenges faced by farmers included low market, low produce prices, high loan interest rates and pests and diseases. The study recommends that OAF introduces other crops like tomatoes and water melons among others, provide irrigation kits and introduce horticultural farming such as green house technology to further boost livelihoods of farmers. The study proposes study on role of the NGOs in enhancing farming activities in Bungoma county. The study findings will be essential in guiding policy formation among groups and organizations with vested interests in the same line.