Impact Of Production And Processing Logistics On Farmers Participation In Maize Seed Value chain In Baringo South Sub-County. Kenya

Abstract

Maize is the number one food crop for millions of smallholder farmers across Sub-Saharan Africa and the demand for quality maize seed presents an economic opportunity for farmers to boost their livelihoods. Maize remains a staple food for approximately 50% of the population making it a critical component in ensuring food security on the continent (Joordan , 2022), The study sort to access Baringo South farmers’ participation in maize seed multiplication programme based on production and processing factors that 1. INTRODUCTION included farmer irrigation capacity, farmer knowledge on credit terms, access to agricultural extension services, road network to and from farm gate, post-harvest equipment adequacy and quality planting seeds supplied to farmers. Quantitative data was collected using the individual respondent questionnaires administered to 366 sampled farmers with 95.08% response rate. Regression analysis by use of the estimated coefficients (β values), standard error, significance values and odd ratio of independent variables were used to assess the relationship between independent and dependent variables. Results depict that most (71.6%) of the respondents were male in comparison to 28.4% female. On age distribution, the dominance of an energetic and still productive population aged between 20 to 49 years representing 89.7% is worth noting. The odds of a farmer continued participation in maize seed multiplication programme farming in areas with good accessible was 1.829 higher than those farmers in areas with impassable roads. The probability of farmer continued participation was 0.354 lower when post-harvest equipment was inadequate and 0.161 lower as well for farmers who perceived the planting seeds supplied to farmers as being of poor quality. Results show that some farmers are exiting maize seed value chain because of the time wasted and expenses they incur as result of poor nature of roads linking their farms to the produce collection and drying yards, inadequacy of post-harvest facilities, perceived poor seed quality and limited capacity to sustainably undertake irrigated agriculture. The study affirms the need for requisite production and logistical support for farmers in rural areas in bid to enhance their production and safeguard farmers’ hard-earned income.