Factors Influencing Subsidized Fertilizer Access and Use Intensity on Small Holder Farmers in Trans Nzoia County
- April 30, 2019
- Posted by: RSIS
- Category: Biotechnology
International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume III, Issue IV, April 2019 | ISSN 2454–6186
Augustine Wafula Barasa1, Josephine Barasa2, Paul Okelo Odwori3, Kenneth Kisuya Malaba1, Harrison Yego4
1University of Eldoret, School of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, Kenya
2University of Eldoret, School of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Department of Soil Science, Kenya
3 University of Eldoret, School of Economics, Moi University, Kenya
4School of Business and Economics, Department of Agricultural Economics and Resource management, Moi University, Kenya
Abstract: – Low crop yields as a result of inadequate application of fertilizer remains to be a challenge limiting optimum crop production especially among smallholder farmers in Kenya. The government of Kenya, under The National Accelerated Agricultural Inputs Access Programme (NAAIAP), introduced subsidized fertilizersaimed at increasing crop productivity.Despite these initiative, there has not been much achievements as far as general increase in crop yields and especially maize crop yields in the country is concerned. This study therefore sought to investigate thefactors affecting the access and the use intensity of subsidized fertilizer among smallholder farmers in Western Kenya with the case of Trans Nzoia County.The specific objectives of the study were to establish the factors affecting the access to subsidized fertilizers and to assess the factors affecting the intensity of fertilizer used.This study employed cross-sectional survey using structured questionnaires to collect the data from 384 farmers who had been selected using multi-stage sampling technique. The data was analyzed econometrically using a double hurdle model which combined a probit model and a truncated regression model. The findings showed thatage, access to extension services, land size, distance to market, household size and non-farm income significantly affected the accessibility of subsidized fertilizer to the farmers while the intensity of subsidized fertilizer use was significantly determined by age, land size, access to extension services and non-farm income of household head. The study concluded that the government should target the smallholder farmers and consider their factors when formulating policies for distribution of subsidized fertilizers as they are the intended beneficiaries of the program.
