Abstract
The transformation of agricultural production from subsistence to commercially oriented outcomes is a topical matter in the rural and socio-economic development discourse. Cassava crop is being promoted for commercialization because of its tolerance to harsh climatic conditions experienced in arid and semi-arid areas. Furthermore, there is high potential for the tuber crop to improve household income. In Kenya, a number of interventions have been directed towards commercializing cassava. The effect of commercialization on household income has not been established. Distinct from other studies, this study estimated the effect of cassava commercialization on three different income measures namely per capita, annual and per acre revenue. A household survey was conducted in Kilifi County in Kenya where 200 respondents were randomly selected. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire. A two-stage endogenous switching regression model was fitted to determine the effect of commercialization on the different income measures. The proportion of households that commercialized was 69% while the remaining 31% did not. The study found that majority of the households marketed low value-added cassava products. The results reveal that farmers who engaged in cassava commercialization enjoyed relatively more income than their counterparts. Off-farm income, age of the household head and distance to market had a negative significant influence in all the income estimates. Group membership was only significant for the per acre income while household size was negative and statistically significant in both per acre and per capita incomes. Findings point out the importance of promoting policies that will enhance cassava commercialization.
Highlights
The agricultural sector is one of the drivers of the Kenyan economy with about three-quarters of the rural population depending heavily on the sector to make a living (AGRA, 2018)
The econometric results indicate that group membership was positive and only significant for the per acre income model; that is, group membership influenced farm households’ that engaged in cassava commercialization activities
This study underscores the role of cassava commercialization on household income in Kilifi County, Kenya
Summary
The agricultural sector is one of the drivers of the Kenyan economy with about three-quarters of the rural population depending heavily on the sector to make a living (AGRA, 2018). Coupled with the adverse effect of climatic change and the country’s arid climate major crops such as maize and beans (FAO, 2009) tend to perform poorly Over time, these adverse consequences have led to increased poverty levels and food insecurity (FAO, 2016). Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is one of the tuber crops that has gained prominence in Africa because of its economic importance in addressing food insecurity. It is evidenced that the tuber crop can enhance the food base of the poor, increase their income and mitigate poverty among rural households (FAOSTAT, 2018). This is because the crop has high yield potential with minimal input investments (Munga, maina, Muli & Sila, 2012). Production befits most rural smallholder farmers who lack adequate resources
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