Abstract:
Indigenous leafy vegetables (ILVs) are gaining popularity as a staple
indigenous diet in Kenya. Most prominent farmers, however, are underestimate
these vegetables despite a steadily expanding demand, as seen by a significant
supply gap. ILVs costs increase faster than their exotic counterparts as demand
outpaces supply, making them unaffordable for the bulk of eager consumers. The
study location was Kisii County. The study is critical because it aims to gather,
examine, and disseminate vital data required to achieve the Big Four agenda
approved by the Kenyan Government for realizing Kenya Vision 2030. The
purpose of the study was to investigate factors influencing the production of
ILVs by smallholder farmers, in Kisii County, Kenya. The target population was
smallholder farmers, traders, and consumers of the ILVs. These smallholder
farmers, traders, and consumers of ILVs who live near 11 market centres of Kisii
County made up the sampling group. Using Cochran's sample size calculation
procedure for an unknown population, 349 responses comprised the study's
sample size. Descriptive statistics like frequency and percentage were employed
to describe the population's demographic and socioeconomic features. Inferential
statistics was performed using the mean and standard deviation to examine the
relationship between the independent and dependent variables. Data analysis
involved several steps, beginning with data collection and ending with a
complete presentation of the study findings. Related information was compiled
during the procedure after the analysis of the data. The results indicated that ILVs
benefitted smallholder farmers, traders and consumers in terms of finances and
nutrition.
