The economics and gender factor in soya bean production and profitability in Kenya: a case of smallholder farms in Western Kenya

Thumbnail Image

Date

2017

Authors

Mutoni, Christine K.
Esilaba, Anthony O.
Mabele, Robert B.
Nyongesa, Dave

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Int. J. Agricultural Resources, Governance and Ecology

Abstract

Soya-bean is among world’s major crops, cultivated for its high oil, proteins content and its ability in soil-fertility amendments. The study assessed the determinants, constraints and profitability/gross-margins of soya-bean production in Western Kenya. Multistage sampling technique and field surveys were used in data-collection process covering 370 households. Regression, gender, profitability and gross-margins were the analyses done. Results indicated gross-margins of soya-bean production within the study sites differed significantly from zero (KES 13,401-20,545); it was profitable because net profits ranged from KES 9243–13,548 for 2010. All gender-cadres shared in soya-bean production activities (5.0–18.0%). The mean technical-, allocative- and economic-efficiencies obtained were 0.78, 65 and 0.59 respectively. Smallholders/farmers’ economic-inefficiencies arose from many negativelysigned and statistically significant factors/coefficients with p-values of 0.0000– 0.0240. Increased use of these factors and county governments and other stakeholders’ interventions would positively impact smallholders’ efficiency resulting into higher output and profitability.

Description

Keywords

gender, cost, soya-bean production, profitability/gross-margins, profitability/gross-margins, Western Kenya, smallholder(s), interviewees, marketing, technical efficiency, allocative-efficiency, economic-efficiency, stochastic-frontier

Citation

Int. J. Agricultural Resources, Governance and Ecology, Vol. 13, No. 3, 2017

Endorsement

Review

Supplemented By

Referenced By