Factors Influencing Access To Subsidized Fertilizer By Maize Farmers In Kesses Sub-County, Uasin Gishu County, Kenya

Abstract

For Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) to attain its agricultural potential, it must broaden its small-scale agricultural productivity through better access to yield-enhancing technologies. In recent past, fertilizer subsidy programmes have been reestablished across SSA to improve production of staple foods like maize; however production still delays after that of other states part of the world posing a threat to food security. This study established the factors influencing access to subsidized fertilizer by maize farmers in Kesses Sub-county, Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. The objectives part of the study were; to establish how targeting strategy of intended beneficiaries, awareness strategy on the fertilizer subsidy programme , distribution strategy and price strategy of subsidized fertilizer influence maize production in Kesses Sub-County, Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. The study theory of production formed the theoretical framework part of the study. The research adopted descriptive survey design and the target population was 22,400 small scale maize farmers, Sub-County Agricultural officer, National Cereals and Produce Board officer. A sample size of 393 small scale maize farmers was sampled using simple random sampling. Purposive sampling was used to select Sub-County Agricultural officer and NCPB officer. Questionnaires and interview schedule was used to collect data and was tested for validity and reliability during pilot study prior to actual data collection. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics aided by Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and was illustrated by use of frequency distribution and percentages. It is expected that the research findings was of benefit to the National and County governments to implement effectively fertiliser subsidy programmes to revitalize maize production in the country and ensure sustainable food production. The study further resolved that the accessibility of fertilizer unbiased after harvest when farm households tranquil have respectable cash flow had a bigger impact on fertilizer use than a situation in which fertilizer was only available at planting time. The study concluded that some part of the factors that influence the efficiency in targeting part of the beneficiaries were poor mode of advertising and bribery/corruption. Subsidized fertilizer is timely available and there was equal number of respondents when it comes to matters related to distance. From the findings the scholar recommends that the Kenya cereal board should put in place access strategic place in order to enhance delivery of subsidized, fertilizer influence Small scale Maize Productivity and Production. It also recommends that government efforts should be directed to improving of distribution mechanisms to ensure sustained availability of fertilizer to farmers at the right time and amount. Finally the study recommended that distribution strategy of subsidized fertilizer should be improved to help farmers access to subsidized fertilizer. The study suggested that further studies be conducted on factors influencing access to subsidized fertilizer by maize farmers in Kesses Sub-County, Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. The study suggested that a research should be done on how farmers targeting strategy influences access to subsidized fertilizer by maize farmers in Kesses Sub-County, Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. The researcher suggested that study should be done on farmer’s awareness strategy on the fertilizer subsidy programme influences access to subsidized fertilizer by maize farmers in Kesses Sub-County, Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. The researcher suggested that study should be done on how the distribution strategy of subsidized fertilizer influences access to subsidized fertilizer by maize farmers in Kesses Sub-County, Uasin Gishu County, Kenya