Effect of the Agricultural Sector Development Strategy on Agricultural Productivity: A Case of Tana River County in Kenya
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Date
2017-06
Authors
Nguma, Muindi, Victor
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
This study sought to find out how the Agricultural Sector Development Strategy (ASDS)
has affected agricultural productivity in Kenya focusing on Tana River County. The
specific objectives of the study are; To evaluate the effect of climatic change response on
agricultural productivity; To examine the effect of agribusiness to agricultural productivity;
To evaluate the effect of agricultural extension services on agricultural productivity; and
To examine the effect of access to agricultural credit on agricultural productivity. The
study will provide managers and policy makers in agriculture and possibly other sectors
with an insight of the effects of the Agricultural Sector Development Strategy on
Agricultural Productivity, general strategic planning in the public sector and any possible
solutions. It will also guide the sector in Tana River County in unearthing whether there
are special effects of the implementation of the Agricultural Sector Development Strategy
in the county. Farmers in Tana River County and probably beyond will benefit from the
study since they may identify gaps in the sector and help them bridge those gaps or
demand action from the government. It will also be a useful reference for any researcher
who intends to do a research related to this study, it will help them to develop new ideas or
expand on the things that may not have been tackled in this research. The study reviewed
the resource based view and the systems theories and showed how they are related to this
research. This study employed descriptive survey design since it is an efficient method of
collecting data as it involves studying large and small population. It targeted the sixty eight
(68) technical staff members in the Agriculture Sector in Tana River County as its
population. A census was used since the population was small. The study utilised
questionnaires with both open and close ended questions for collection of data where the
drop and later pick method was used to administer the same. To enhance validity, a pilot
study was done through administering questionnaires randomly to seven (7) selected
respondents in Tana River sub-county which is 10% of the total respondents. It was further
enhanced by making necessary adjustments to the questionnaire based on the pilot study
results. This study tested reliability of the instruments using Cronbach’s alpha where a
value 0.7 and above was considered acceptable. Quantitative and qualitative data was
analysed by descriptive and inferential statistics, and presented through tables and charts.
A multiple regression model was used to determine the influence that the independent
variables have on the dependent variable, thus Y = -0.063 + 0.164X1 + 0.157X2 + 0.285X3
+ 0.233X4. The study concluded that climate change response, agribusiness, agricultural
extension services and access to agricultural credit positively and significantly influence
agricultural productivity. Based on the research findings the study recommends that Tana
River County should implement agricultural extension services by ensuring there is enough
staff in the county who are regularly capacity built so as to improve the agricultural
productivity of the county.
Description
A Research Project Submitted in Partial Fulfillment for the Award of Degree in Master of Business Administration (Strategic Management Option) to the School of Business of Kenyatta University