Influence Of Socio-Economic Factors On Sustainable Production Of Cotton In Kisumu County, Kenya

Abstract

Sustaining cotton production is a challenge facing Kisumu County and the Kenyan government. Cotton is an important crop whose production affects the livelihoods and development of the county. Several interventions have been done in the sector since independence to sustain cotton production in areas with competitive advantages, like Kisumu County, for th e related industries to operate at total capacity, with little success. This led to the closure of the industries, negatively affecting livelihoods and development. The sustainable production of locally produced cotton is yet to be realized. This informed the study. The main objective of this study was to investigate the influence of social and economic factors and to evaluate the interventions in place for sustainable cotton production and development in Kisumu County. Specific objectives were to assess th e influence of social factors, Gender, Cultural beliefs, Religion, economic factors, Marketing, and Distance from buying centers, and the interventions affecting sustainable cotton production in Kisumu County. The dependent variable was sustainable cotton production, while social and economic factors and the interventions in place formed the independent variables. The study was guided by systems theory by Ludwig Von Bertalanffy,1901 1927. A mixed research design combining inferential and descriptive data wa s employed and analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. Data collection included field surveys, interviews with stakeholders, focus group discussions, and the utilization of existing datasets. The target population was 660 cotton farmers, obtained throug h purposive sampling. The representative sample was 240 cotton farmers, calculated using Israel's (1992) formula. Other respondents linked to cotton production were 53 through stratified random sampling, giving 293 respondents. The study administered 293 q uestionnaires and received 267, while 26 were not returned. Semi structured interview schedules with questionnaires were used to collect quantitative data, which was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. In contrast, Focus Group Discussion s, Key Informant Interviews, and observation were used to collect qualitative data, which was analyzed by categorizing relevant responses to answer research questions. Research instruments were validated before fieldwork, and reliability was determined thr ough the test retest technique. Findings revealed that many social and economic factors influence sustainable cotton production and development in Kisumu County. Knowledge from research findings will contribute to overcoming constraints to sustainable cott on production, assist policy and decision makers in government and non governmental institutions, and improve the existing cotton literature in Kisumu County . The study concluded that there is a need for the government, private sector, and stakeholders to increase extension services to farmers, lobby for policies that would address social and economic factors surrounding cotton production, reduce or stop the importation of related competing products and improve cotton prices in the local market. The study r ecommends that adequate extension services be provided to farmers and relevant policies be adopted to assist all the stakeholders in the cotton value chain to sustain cotton production.