Benefits and Policy Options for Irrigated Maize Production in Kenya.
Journal Title: Scientia Agriculturae - Year 2015, Vol 11, Issue 2
Abstract
Increasing population pressure, limited and decreasing high potential agricultural, increasing demand for food has made many Kenya’s vulnerable to poverty. To increase food production, the government adopted irrigation strategy which has the potential to increase food production by 100% to 400%. However, their viability of increasing maize production under irrigation has been doubted. This study aims to contribute literature on economic viability of irrigate maize production in Kenya among the resource poor farmers. It used a cross sectional survey to collect primary data from 222 participants selected both randomly and purposively, and secondary data, the study found that irrigated maize production is profitable and that a 1% increase in price increases profits by 0.614%. The mean output of irrigated maize was found to be 11bags which was higher output compared with similar maize farms that do not practice irrigation of 7.1 bags per acre. The mean cost of production per acre was KES 15,705. The profit levels was KES 16,900 per acre annually or two seasons at a price of KES 2,200. The study identified developing infrastructure agro processing, credit lending programmes as some of the potential ways of increasing opportunities for the resource constrained farmers to improve their livelihood. The government can also buy surplus maize in the market to boost its strategic grain reserves and also help stabilize the market price of maize.
Authors and Affiliations
D Authors Otieno , L Kirimi , N Odhiambo
Keywords
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- EP ID EP122464
- DOI 10.15192/PSCP.SA.2015.11.2.6668
- Views 94
- Downloads 0
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