The Economic Influence of Tobacco Growing on Food Production in Migori Division, South Nyanza District of Kenya

Abstract

This study examined the economic influence of tobacco growing on food production in Migori Division, South Nyanza District of Kenya. The broad objective of the study was to investigate whether increased tobacco growing in the area conflicts with national objectives of self sufficiency in food production. The specific objectives were to determine the relationship, between tobacco growing and food production in Migori, to measure relative profitability of tobacco vis-a-vis other alternative farm enterprises, to determine optimal combination of tobacco and other enterprises for various farm sizes, to assess the impact of increased tobacco growing upon farming systems in the study area and to draw some policy implications pertaining to tobacco growing. The study was carried in Migori Division in South Nyanza and in particular the area served by Oyani BAT Leaf Centre. Both primary and secondary data were used in the study. A sample of fifty randomly selected tobacco farmers were interviewed using a questionnaire.

BAT staff includinq agricultural extension staff were interviewed. This formed the source of primary data. Secondary data were obtained from Ministry of Agriculture Miqori, Ministry of Agriculture Library at Kilimo House usinq Annual Reports, Economic Abstracts, Statistical Abstracts, Economic Reviews and other relevant files. BAT Annual Reports, farmers History Records and farmers Account Records at Oyani BAT Leaf Centre were also used. Analysis of the data was done using Gross Marqin Analysis to determine profitability of farm enterprises. Regression Analysis was carried to find out whether tobacco production influences negatively the production of food crops and in particular maize. And Linear Proqrannminq was used to determine the optimal combination of tobacco and other enterprises for various farm sizes with subsistence constraints included. The results revealed that tobacco qrowinq has no neqative effect upon the production of food crops and in particular maize. Contrary to expectation, tobacco production seems to enhance food production in Miqori. It was also found that tobacco is the most profitable amonq the four major farm enterprises examined viz. maize, beans and dairy.

The Linear Proqramminq optimal solution for a small farm 3.4 ha.) was qiven as 1.71 ha. of lonq rains maize, 2.40 ha. of short rains maize, 0.47 ha. of tobacco, 0.22 ha. of beans and one dairy cow. This plan qave a total qross marqin of KSh.15,118. The optimal solution for a medium farm (6.9 ha.) was qiven as 2.00 ha. of lonq rains maize, 2.63 ha. of short rains maize, 0.40 ha. of tobacco, 0.40 ha. of beans and two dairy cows. This produced a total qross marqin of KSh.16,594. The optimal solution for a larqe farm (18.6 ha.) was qiven as 3.00 ha. of lonq rains maize, 3.95 ha. of short rains maize, 0.60 ha. of tobacco, 0.59 ha. of beans and 3 dairy cows. However, larqe chanks of land in both medium farm and larqe farm remained unused due to labour shortaqe in March, May, September and October. These are labour peak months.