Economics of simsim production among .smallholder farmers in Kwale District, Kenya
Abstract
This study looked into the economics of simsim production among
small-holder farmers in Kwale district by considering all the
competing enterprises within the farming system.
The study was prompted by the ~resent Government policy of import
substitution in edible vegetabl~ oils and the observed reluctance
by farmers to increase production especially of simsim.
Our objective was to investigate the extent of sub-optimality in
instances where simsim was being produced and the price changes
that would make simsim enterprise competitive at the farm level.
The methodology used was Linear progr~mming wh i ch took into account
the resources at the disposal of farmers, the alternative
enterprises at the. farm level.;and aimed at maximizing the total
gross margins and hence the incomes of farmers.
The study showed that simsim production was eliminated from the
basis at optimality and the minimum price increase required to make
it competitive at the farm level was two hundred percent. The
policy implication of this study is that there is a need to
increase the'producer price of simsim before it can be viable as an
enterprise and thus meet the present Government objectives.
Citation
Mburu, B N(1991). Economics of simsim production among .smallholder farmers in Kwale District, KenyaSponsorhip
University of NairobiPublisher
Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Nairobi, Kenya
Description
Msc- Thesis