Analysis of Factors Influencing Decision and Level of Participation in Sorghum Contract Farming: A Case in Laikipia County

Abstract

Contract farming (CF) can be a panacea that can solve the issues of sorghum productivity in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). In Kenya, farmers who engage in CF have increased the productivity of their sorghum enterprises. This study assessed factors behind low farmers’ participation in CF in Laikipia county, despite the recorded benefits. A multistage sampling was used to select the 192 respondents that were included in the sam­ple. A double hurdle model (DH) approach to analyze the factors influencing decision to participate in CF and the intensity of participation. Land tenure, land size, distance to a major town, belonging to a social group, and extension contacts were significantly influencing the decision to participate in CF. Farming experience, access to extension education, credit access, and land tenure were significantly influencing the intensity of CF participation. The study concludes that the County Government of Laikipia and the East Africa Malting Limited agents should beef up extension services to enhance more sorghum CF participation and intensity. The County government through the Department of Social Services to strengthen informal and formal farmer groups to increase their farmers’ access to government services such as extension and credits.

Keywords: Contract farming, Sorghum, Participation, Decision, Intensity, Double Hurdle

DOI: 10.7176/JESD/13-10-02

Publication date:May 31^st 2022