Farmer groups’ characteristics influence on soybean seeds distribution in Embu, Tharaka-Nithi And Meru Counties, Kenya
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Date
2016-06
Authors
Njagi, Esther Wanjue
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Soybean production in Kenya is low making the country a net importer of this crop.
Various institutions have researched on soybean production potential in Eastern
Kenya but the uptake by farmers is low. The situation is largely attributed to
farmers‟ inaccessibility to the soybean seeds among other factors. The seed
exchange approach affects the movement of new varieties in farming systems. In
Eastern Kenya farmer groups are being used in soybean seeds distribution though
the factors influencing distribution largely remains unknown.Understanding systems
of distribution among small-scale farmers is particularly crucial for soybeans whose
seeds have low returns to centralized seed companies.The objective of the study was
therefore to evaluate the farmer groups‟ characteristics influencing soybeans seeds
distribution. The study was carried out in Embu, Tharaka Nithi and Meru Counties
of Eastern Kenya. Interview schedules were administered to 60 farmer groups and
270 individual farmers. The farmer groups were purposively sampled while random
sampling was used to select individual farmers within groups. Logistic regression
was used to predict the demographic and farm characteristics influencing soybeans
seeds distribution while Tobit regression model was used to determine farmer
groups‟ characteristics influence on soybeans seeds distribution. Results showed that
majority of the groups were registered and had been in existence for more than
seven years. The groups had an average of 17 to 29 members. Groups‟ gender
comprised of female only groups (23%) and mixed gendered groups (77%). Most of
the group members were in the age category of 51-55 years. The main group
activities were self-help (68%) and merry go round (88%). The mean number of
group activities carried out by groups ranged from three to four. On seeds
distribution process, 48% of the groups distributed the seeds to all the group
members‟. The criteria used in distribution of seeds to group members included,
position in the group, participation in group, presence during seeds distribution
meeting, land size, and group member‟s interested in soybean farming. The
quantities distributed to group members varied for some groups (55%) while other
groups distributed equal quantities of seed to group members (45%). Criteria used to
distribute varying seeds amounts were land size and position in group. Individual
farmer characteristics influencing soybean distribution were gender (β=1.010,
p=0.033), farm size (β=-1.124, p=0.057), education category (β=-1.015, p=0.046),
household headship (β=0.890, p=0.041) and number of groups the respondent was a
member (β=0.316, p=0.004). Farmer groups‟ characteristics influencing soybean
seeds distribution were group size (β=-0.010, p=0.044), group gender (β=0.226,
p=0.087), average age of group members (β=-0.019, p=0.067), group meeting
intervals (β=-0.143, p=0.042) and number of agricultural related trainings (β=0.074,
p=0.0063). The study concludes that farmer groups have various characteristics
which influenced soybeans seeds distribution. This implies that in use of groups for
soybean seeds distribution and other legumes in the future, the identified groups and
individual farmer characteristics should be put into consideration. These will
provide a guide to the project, extension agents and others targeting groups and
farmers in distribution of seeds and other technologies.
Description
A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Award of the Degree of Master of Environmental Science in the School of Environmental Studies of Kenyatta University. June 2016