Farm Inputs Subsidies Influence On Maize Production In Trans Nzoia West Sub County, Trans Nzoia County, Kenya

Abstract

Food sustainabilityall over the world is the biggest challenge affecting humanity; the problem is even more serious among the low-income and food shortagenations. In order to achieve reasonably highfood produce to deal with this situation, sustainable strategies are required. One of such strategies is what this Study wished to address. Hence, the study made an endeavour to find out the farm inputs subsidies influence on maize production in Trans Nzoia West Sub County, Trans-Nzoia County, Kenya. The specific objectives for the studylooked at were: toexamine the influence of the amount of the farm subsidies disbursed on maize production; to assess the type of farm inputs subsidies supplied to farmers; to evaluate the quality and challenges of the farm subsidy given to farmers on maize production in Trans-Nzoia West Sub- County. The study was of significance to stakeholders in the Agriculture sector ranging from The National Ministry of Agriculture and the County; agricultural staff implementing the project and the farmers.The study was based on Social Protection Theory. A descriptive survey design was used since the study was both qualitative and quantitative in nature. A sample of 160was selected from a target population of 1510 for data collection. Questionnaire and an interview schedule were used as tools of primary data collection.Data instruments were pretested in Trans-Nzoia East Sub Countyto test their reliability and viability. Data was collected, coded and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0 computer software. Descriptive statistics were used to give the outputs. From the data analysis based on the objectives, it was found out that all farmers used certified seed in their farms after the introduction of government subsidies. Majority of the farmers were supplied with five varieties of certified seed from Kenya Seed Company limited. It was also found out that there was a significant effect of subsidized seed given that majority of the farmers produced bags using certified seed. It was also found out that National Cereals and Produce Board supplied the inputs. It was also found out that there was maize yield improvement with provision of subsidies. From the study analysis it was concluded that, overly, amount of the farm subsidies type of farm inputs subsidies quality of the farm subsidy given to farmers in the subsidy programme positive significant influence on maize production in Trans-Nzoia West Sub- County. It was recommended that the government should appoint distribution points where input subsidies should be channeled through location Agriculture Officers’ rather than the National Cereals and Produce Board. Government should increase capitation for the programme to bring more farmers into the programme to improve production of maize given that there is a significant increase in production under the subsidy programme. Government and Farmers Associations should come up with capacity building programmes to enable framers have capacity on modern Agriculture.