Socio-Demographic Characteristics and Potato Production Practices of Smallholder Potato Farmers in Molo Sub-County, Kenya

Abstract

Potato is the second most valued food crop after maize contributing to national domestic consumption and food needs in Kenya. Despite the ease in cultivation and fewer labor requirements, potato production in Kenya is not yet promising as compared to neighboring countries like Tanzania especially in the major growing areas like Molo Sub-County. Low potato in Kenya is due to several biotic and abiotic stresses. In order to develop appropriate interventions to improve production, it is important to first understand farmers’ characteristics, prevailing production practices, potato production constraints, and suggestions for improvement as it is important in providing the basis for addressing the numerous challenges that the farmers face. This study was thus carried out in Molo Sub-County, Kenya with the main objective of analyzing and documenting key information characterizing the socio-demographics of smallholder potato farmers, their production practices, potato production constraints, and their suggestions for improvement in the area. Data was collected from 152 smallholder potato farmers sampled randomly from the accessible population of 6000 potato growers. Data was collected using a questionnaire. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results indicate that 44.7% of the land in the study area was self-owned. 62.5 % of the farmers belonged to a farmer group. Majority of the farmers 48 % had 1 -5 years of potato farming experience. Literacy levels in the study area were high with over 92.8 % of respondents attaining formal education. There was a higher percentage of women respondents than men 52.6 % and 47.4 % respectively. In terms of age majority of the respondents were middle-aged. The potato variety most preferred and grown by the respondents was shangi. In terms of potato yields, the majority 78.3% had potato yields less than 5tons/ha. The major potato production constraints were high pests and diseases, high costs of inputs, and market ..........