Influence of Type of Farm Input Subsidies on Maize Production in Trans Nzoia West Sub County, Trans Nzoia County, Kenya

Barasa Protus Wafula; Dr. Daniel Nyantika; Dr. Tom George Ekisa; Dr. Mamboleo Denis Mabaya

Authors

Barasa Protus Wafula Degree of Master of Arts in Geography Department of Geography, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Kisii University P. O Box 408-10200 Kisii
Dr. Daniel Nyantika Degree of Master of Arts in Geography Department of Geography, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Kisii University P. O Box 408-10200 Kisii
Dr. Tom George Ekisa Degree of Master of Arts in Geography Department of Geography, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Kisii University P. O Box 408-10200 Kisii
Dr. Mamboleo Denis Mabaya Degree of Master of Arts in Geography Department of Geography, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Kisii University P. O Box 408-10200 Kisii

Keywords:

Farm subsidies, free inputs, Incentives

Abstract

Food security all over the world is the biggest challenge affecting humanity; the problem is even more serious among the low-income and food shortage nations. In order to achieve reasonably high food produce to deal with this situation, sustainable strategies are required. One of such strategies is what this Study wished to address. Hence, the Study made an endeavour to find out the challenges of farm inputs subsidies on maize production in Trans Nzoia West Sub County, Trans- Nzoia County, Kenya. The study was of significance to stakeholders in the Agriculture sector ranging from The National Ministry of Agriculture and the County; agricultural staff implementing the project and the farmers. The study was based on Social Protection Theory. A descriptive survey design was used since the study was both qualitative and quantitative in nature. A sample of 160 was selected from a target population of 1510 for data collection. Questionnaire and an interview schedule were used as tools of primary data collection. Data instruments were pretested in Trans-Nzoia East Sub County to test their reliability and viability. Data was collected, coded and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0 findings showed that there was a significant effect of subsidized seed given that majority of the farmers produced bags using certified seed. It was recommended that the government should appoint distribution points where input subsidies should be channeled through location Agriculture Officers’ rather than the National Cereals and Produce Board.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Ayieko, M., Tschirley, D. and Mathenge, M. 2005. Fresh Fruit and Vegetable consumption patterns and supply chain systems in urban Kenya: Implications for policy and investment priorities” Egerton University Tegemeo Institute WPS 16/2005.

Byerlee, D., Jayne, T. and Myers, R.J. 2006. Managing food price risks and instability in a liberalizing market environment: Overview and policy options. Food Policy, 31(4): 275-287.

Crawford, Eric W., Jayne, T.S. and Valerie A. Kelly. 2006. Alternative Approaches for Promoting Fertilizer Use in Africa. Agriculture and Rural Development Discussion Paper 22, Washington D.C., The World Bank.

Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA), 2011. Agricultural input subsidies in sub-Saharan Africa, International Development Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, Evaluation Study 2011/2.

Denning, G., Kabambe, P., Sanchez, P., Malik, A., Flor, R., Harawa, R., et al., 2009. Input subsidies to improve smallholder maize productivity in Malawi.

Dorward, A., Chirwa, E., Slater, R., Jayne, T., Boughton, D, et al., 2008. Evaluation of the 2006/7 Agricultural Input Subsidy Programme, Malawi. Final report. Available: https://eprints.soas.ac.uk/5130/.

Droppelmann Klaus, 2009. FSP Policy Advisory Note (revised), Lusaka.

Druilhe, Z. and Barreiro-Hurle, J. 2012. Fertilizer subsidies in sub-Saharan Africa. ESA Working paper No. 12-04, Rome, FAO.

Evenson R.E. and Golin D. 2003. Assessing the Impact of the Green Revolution, 1960 to 2000. Science, 300:758-762.

FAO, 2002. The state of food insecurity in the world, 2002, p 1 www.fao.org.

FAO, IFAD (International Fund for Agricultural Development) and WFP (World Food Programme). 2015. Achieving Zero Hunger. The critical role of investment in social protection and agriculture. Rome, FAO.

Hazell, P., Poulton, C.,Wiggins, S. and Dorward, A.R. 2007. The Future of Small Farms for Poverty Reduction and Growth. 2020 Vision Discussion Paper 42. Washington D. C., IFPRI.

Jacob Ricker-Gilberta, Nicole M. Masonb, Francis A. Darkoc, Solomon T. Tembod. 2013. What are the effects of input subsidy programs on maize prices? Evidence from Malawi and Zambia. Agricultural Economics, 44: 671–686.

Johnston, B.F. and Kilby, P. 1975. Agriculture and structural transformation: Economic strategies in late-developing countries. New York: Oxford University Press.

Khan, M.J. 2011. Agriculture Year Book 2011,new Delhi.

Kherallah, M., Delgado, C.L., Gabre-Madhin, E., Minot, N. and Johnson, M. 2002. Reforming Agricultural Markets in Africa. IFPRI and Johns Hopkins University Press.

Langyintuo, A.S. 2008. Modeling Agricultural Technology Adoption: Principles and Concepts, presented at an Econometric Training Course, 7–11 April, 2008, Birchwood hotel, Johannesburg, South Africa (CIMMYT), Harare, Zimbabwe.

Larson, B.A. and Frisvold, G.B. 1996. Fertilizers to support agricultural development in subSaharan Africa: What is needed and why. Food Policy, 21(6): 509–525.

MoA, 2004. The Status of Maize Seed Industry in Kenya: A Value Chain Analysis.

Morris, M., Kelly, V.A., Kopicki, R.J. and Byerlee, D. 2007. Fertilizer use in African agriculture: Lessons learned and good practice guidelines. The World Bank. FAO, The state of food insecurity in the world, 2002, p 1 www.fao.org.

NAAIAP, 2009. A call for action to increase effective farm inputs use in Kenya. Compiled by Zaweria Thuku . Ministry of agriculture, Nairobi, Kenya.

Nyoro, J.K. 2002. Kenya’s Competitiveness in Domestic Maize Production: Implications for Food Security. Paper Presented in a Seminar at the African Study Center, University of Leiden. November 7, 2002, Leiden, Netherlands: Tegemeo Institute, Egerton University, Kenya, 2002 http://www.ascleiden.nl/pdf/paper07112002.pdf (accessed 1st January 2011).

Pixley, K. and Banziger, Marianne, 2001. Open-Pollinated Maize Varieties: A Backward Step or a Valuable Option for Farmers. In Seventh Eastern and Southern African Maize Conference. Harare Zimbabwe, 22-28 pp.

Sheahan, M. 2012. Department of Agricultural Economics. Michigan State University; East Lansing: 2012. Analysis of Fertilizer profitability and use in Kenya. Master’s Thesis.

Sikobe, R. 2008. National Accelerated Agricultural Inputs Access Programme (NAAIAP) Training module. PowerPoint presentation.

Solem Ray, 1985. Bureau for Program and Policy Coordination David Wilcock Development Alternatives, Inc. (Barbara S.Lynch Independent Consultant).

Walkenhorst, Peter. 2007. Distortions to Agricultural Incentives in Nigeria.

World Bank. 2007. World Development Report 2008; Agriculture for Development, Washington, DC.