A Comparison of the Socio- Economic Characteristics of Dairy-Crop Integrators versus Non Integrators: A Case Study in Elgeyo-Marakwet County, Kenya

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare the different inherent socio economic characteristics amongst the dairy-crop integrators and non integrators in Elgeyo-Marakwet County, Kenya. The study carried out a census of 85 integrators and 85 non integrators. The data were collected with the help of a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics such as means and percentages were used to present the findings. The study found out that Integrators had a higher household size mean unlike the non integrators. The integrators had a lower mean in years of schooling of as compared to that of non integrators who had a higher mean of years of schooling. On the other hand, Integrators had a larger size of land on average as compared to non integrators. The study therefore recommends policy interventions to enhance access to credit, reduce illiteracy levels among rural entrepreneurs through training and extension services.

Key words: Integration, Non-integration, Off-farm income, Household