Assessment Of Factors Influencing Indigenous Chicken Value Chain Marketing Efficiency Among Small Scale Farmers Of Baringo County, Kenya: Case Of Mogotio Subcounty

Abstract

Indigenous chicken value chain plays an important role in income generation and poverty reduction, particularly for poor rural women or where people lack land for crop cultivation or formal skills to participate in income-earning activities. However, the poorest and most marginalized rural farmers rarely benefit because they have limited access to skills, market information, cheaper inputs, better market infrastructure and transparent contract farming agreements. Despite its importance, there is little information on the determinants of marketing efficiency in Baringo County. Since market linkage is key in enhancing agricultural productivity and sustainability and indigenous chicken presents an ideal strategy for poverty and food insecurity exit, this research study focused on assessing factors influencing indigenous chicken value chain marketing projects efficiency in Baringo County (production cost, contract farming, market infrastructure and access to market information). The study targeted indigenous chicken farmers and key experts from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, NGOs, Financial providers and Agrosuppliers. The assessment was carried out in Mogotio Sub County and the results generalized to represent Baringo County. A descriptive survey research design was employed with a target population of 456 respondents. Using the Naussiuma(2000) framework, a sample size of 82 respondents was selected. The response rate was 90% which was equivalent to 74 responds. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data which was edited, coded and analyzed using SPSS (Version 20) tools for descriptive analysis. Regression and descriptive statistical techniques were employed in data analysis. The findings were presented using percentages and frequency distribution tables. The study findings indicate that contract farming has the highest level of significance followed by market infrastructure then market information. Production cost has the least level of significance in influencing indigenous chicken value chain marketing efficiency among small scale farmers of Baringo County. Therefore in enhancing marketing efficiency of the indigenous chicken value chain, relevant stakeholders should give priority in accordance to the level of significance of the study findings.This study will contribute to the body of knowledge relating to sustainability of indigenous poultry value chains in Baringo County. Besides focusing on assessing factors influencing indigenous chicken value chain marketing efficiency, it is also anticipated that this study will assist poultry farmers, NGOs, Agro-suppliers, development partners and policy makers to incorporate the findings in their planning and agricultural policy formulation