Influence of Farm Inputs on Maize Production in Kiminini Sub -county, Trans Nzoia County, Kenya

Abstract

Maize production has been dwindling over the years. This has resulted into food insecurity for an ever-growing population. This led the researcher to carry out a research on influence of farm inputs on maize production in Kiminini Sub County, Trans Nzoia County, Kenya. Specifically, the study sought the following objectives: Determined the influence of Fertilizer use on maize production in Kiminini Sub County; determined how adoption of technology influences maize production in Kiminini Sub County; evaluated the influence of use of herbicides on maize production in Kiminini Sub County; evaluated the influence of using Certified seeds on maize production in Kiminini Sub County. The research findings helped the government policy makers in coming up with policies that helped farmers towards the improvement of maize production. It also helped researchers, as the study filled gaps in the body of knowledge and on farmers maize production. The study was delimited to maize farmers as opposed to other cereals and Kiminini Sub County. The researcher worked with the assumptions that the questionnaires would be answered in full and that they would be returned and used in data analysis. Descriptive survey design was used in this study. The target population for this study was therefore 12,284 maize farmers. The sample size was 410 respondents. For this study, the researcher used questionnaires as data collection tool. A sample equivalent to 10% of the study sample was enough for piloting the study Instruments. The pilot study was done in the neighbouring Tongaren sub county as the two sub counties shared similar characteristics. Content validity of the instrument was determined by colleagues and experts in research. The frequencies and percentages were then used to determine the factors influencing maize production by farmers. The findings showed that the farmers did not receive any soil testing facilities. This is shown by 263 (93.93%). Despite 161(57.50%) agreeing to fertilizer increasing the maize yields. Farmers also disagreed to using herbicides on their farms. This is shown by 165(58.93%). 174(62.14%) of the farmers disagreed to availability of extension officers. The researcher recommended that all the farmers should be allowed access to soil testing facilities through advocacy. The prices of fertilizers should also be stabilized to allow for proper planning for the season of maize production. Certified seeds should be availed to all farmers at a subsidized rate to avoid farmers using the wrong seed due to their fair prices.