Abstract
The study analysed the factors affecting the choice of alternative crop enterprises among smallholder tobacco farmers in Teso district, Kenya, using Multinomial logit model. Data used for the study were obtained from primary sources through structured questionnaires using a multistage sampling technique from 150 farmers selected randomly. The results indicate that farmers are indeed reducing the acreage under tobacco and venturing into other alternative crops. This shift and the choice of the alternative gone into was found to be influenced positively by factors such as land size, experience, access to extension services and distance to market. Total asset value however negatively influenced the shift to other crops. However demographic factors such as age, education, household size and gender had no role in influencing the farmers’ decision to shift to alternative crops. There is therefore need for more awareness on the hazards of tobacco cultivation and facilitation to other alternative crops through support of extension services, credit, market and identification of alternatives suitable to the area for the farmers. Key words: Multinomial logit regression, World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), tobacco, alternative enterprise.
Highlights
Tobacco is a widely grown non-food cash crop in the world and is cultivated in more than 120 countries owing to its ability to grow in a wide range of climatic and soil conditions (Chavez et al, 2010)
Since there were two groups, those who reduced or abandoned tobacco production to other alternative enterprises and those who did not a comparison of means was done in Table 1 using the student t-test for continuous variables at 5%
This study has shown that there is no significant difference in socio-economic characteristics and institutional characteristics between those who abandon tobacco production for other alternative enterprises and those who do not
Summary
Tobacco is a widely grown non-food cash crop in the world and is cultivated in more than 120 countries owing to its ability to grow in a wide range of climatic and soil conditions (Chavez et al, 2010). Homa Bay districts), Western (Bungoma, Bumula, Malakisi, Sirisia, Busia, Teso and Mount Elgon districts) and Eastern (Meru, Embu and Kirinyaga districts) mainly under contract farming. Tobacco is a controversial crop because of negative impact on health from (WHO, 2008; Kibwage et al, 2009). Agriculture is the key source of food and employment for population in Teso District. Tobacco is the principal cash crop (GoK, 2008) and it is solely the only short season cash crop apart from tradable food crops like maize that dictate the economic position of full time.
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