Influence of Agricultural Practices on Sustainability of Agricultural Projects in Narok-north Sub County of Narok County, Kenya

Abstract

Agricultural projects “play a significant role in terms of employment, household income generation and food security. Agriculture is a major sector in rural area and donors have disbursed huge amounts of funds, farmers have funded themselves to curb food insecurity and to raise income. Sadly, most of these projects have failed to be sustainable. Agricultural practices have been linked to sustainability of agricultural projects in Narok North Sub County, Narok County. The study sought to examine the influence of agricultural practices on sustainability of agricultural projects in Narok North Sub County, Narok County by looking at how and the extent to which the variables influences sustainability of agricultural projects. Specifically it sought to examine the influence of crop insurance on sustainability of agricultural projects, examine the influence of Crop Diversification on sustainability of agricultural projects, determine the influence of Farm Input use on sustainability of agricultural projects, establish the influence of farmer training on sustainability of agricultural projects and asses the combined influence of agricultural practices on sustainability of agricultural projects in Narok North Sub County, Narok County. The study was guided by the Theory of Change and Risk Management Decision Theory. Descriptive research design was used targeting large scale farmers in Narok North sub county, Narok County. To collect both qualitative and quantitative data a sample population of 210 from a target population of 450 farmers was adopted. Questionnaires were used as data collecting instruments which were distributed and collected later after being filled. Data from questionnaires were summarized, coded, tabulated and analyzed. Editing was done to improve the quality of data for coding. Coded data was then entered into the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 21.Descriptive statistics (Mean, Standard deviation, frequencies and percentages) were computed to measure relationships and give meaning. The study found out that, crop insurance cover, crop diversification, farmer training and farm input greatly influenced sustainability of agricultural projects in Narok North Sub-County, Narok County”. Through crop insurance farmers have a stable income and can restart again in seasons where there is complete failure of their crops. Farmers have adopted new technology through the use of farm inputs. Similarly, farmers have been made aware of these new technologies through farmer training. Key recommendations arising from the conclusion are that the government should offer subsidized crop insurance cover, supply adequate farm inputs on time, and increase the number of agricultural extension officers to offer farmer training.