Effects of Farmer Socio-Demographics on Agricultural Projects in Kenya: Case of Narig Project in Makueni County
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2025-08
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Farmer socio-demographic factors have been shown to influence the performance of agricultural development projects while agricultural development projects have been used to accelerate agricultural growth in globally and in Kenya in order to support economic progress. There is however, little literature on the effects of the farmer socio-demographic factors on the performance of such projects in Kenya. This study aimed at assessing the effects of farmer socio-demographic factors on Agricultural projects in Kenya, using the case of the National Agriculture and Rural Inclusive Growth Project implemented in Makueni County. The objectives of the study were to assess the effects of age, levels of education, levels on income and household size on the performance of NARIG project in Makueni County. The study was based in Makueni County. The study utilized the Agrarian change theory by Boserup and the theory of planned behaviour as theoretical frameworks of the research. The research employed a descriptive survey design. The target population was the 18,754 farmers who have been implementing the project in the County. A stratified and purposive sampling design was utilized to pick 392 participants based on sample size determination as recommended by Naing. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data, with the data being collected by research assistants to an online tool. Data analysis was done using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study utilized Python 3.11 as the primary programming language for data analysis. Descriptive statistical analysis used percentages, means and frequencies while inferential statistical analysis used Pearson correlation and both simple linear and multiple regression. Based on the study's findings, it can be concluded that overall, the socio-demographic factors (age, level of education, level of income and household size) do not play a significant role in the performance of the project. However, there is a small positive correlation between age, level of income, secondary education and household size of five (5). Age has a small influence on project performance based on its regression coefficient. The study recommends that policy makers who are formulating agricultural projects and programmes should take into account the age of implementers of the project as this is likely to influence the project’s success. Policy makers need to find ways of including younger people in agriculture and implementation of agriculture development project.
Description
A Research Project Submitted to the School of Law, Arts and Social Sciences in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Master of Public Policy and Administration of Kenyatta University. August 2025
Supervisor
Patrick Mbataru