Influence of Contractual Maize Farming on Household Farm Income in Weiwei Irrigation Scheme, Pokot Central Sub-County

Abstract

Food insecurity remains globally widespread and stubbornly high. In Kenya, more than 10 million persons and their households are highly food insecure. Irrigation is one of the means by which agricultural productivity can be improved to meet the growing food demand. Small-scale farmers often face difficulties in production of their produce and are consequently prone to food insecurity. Contract farming (CF) is a possibility to improve such a situation. The extent of the influence of contractual maize farming arrangements on household production, food security and incomes in the study area has not been investigated and documented and therefore necessitating this study. The main aim of this study was to assess influence of contractual maize farming on household food security in Weiwei Irrigation Scheme, Pokot Central Sub-County. The specific objectives were to: establish the characteristics of contracted smallholder maize farmers of Weiwei irrigation scheme; identify the factors that influence smallholder maize farmers to adopt contractual arrangements in Weiwei irrigation scheme; to determine the influence of contractual arrangements on household maize production among smallholder maize farmers in Weiwei irrigation scheme; to determine the influence of contractual arrangements on household farm incomes among smallholder maize farmers of Weiwei irrigation scheme; and to determine the influence of contractual arrangements on Weiwei irrigation scheme household food security in Pokot Central Sub-County. This research adopted descriptive survey research design that involved collection of information through interviews and questionnaires from a sample of respondents. The target population of the study was 298 smallholder farmers in Weiwei Irrigation scheme engaged in contract farming with Kenya Seed Company Working. The study used systematic random sampling technique to arrive at the required sample size. The questionnaires used to collect data was developed by the researcher and validated by experts in agricultural education and extension field. The research instruments were pilot tested to determine the reliability of the instrument in Perkerra Irrigation Scheme, Marigat, using a sample of 30 farmers. Using Cronbach’s alpha, a coefficient of 0.84 for the questionnaire was established. This study found that engagement in contract farming significantly improved household farm incomes. Through higher farm incomes, most farmers were able to afford locally purchased foods. This study recommends that contract farming should be promoted in the study area in a bid to improve the household incomes. However, farmers should be empowered through their various groups and cooperatives to be able to negotiate for better terms of contract arrangements. Most contracts do not favour farmers with respect to prices.