Farmers’ Information-inputs and their Sway on Coffee Productivity in the West of Rift, Kenya

Abstract

Coffee (Coffea arabica) is an important cash crop for export earnings and livelihoods in Kenya. Coffee production has, however, declined from about 130,000 metric tons in the 1990s to about 43,000 in 2018, partly attributed to low farm-level productivity. Previous studies further attribute this to weak adherence to agronomic practices. The current study investigated the farmer’s information inputs, as a precursor of agronomic practices, for their potential sway on coffee productivity. The study assessed the level of information inputs among smallholder farmers and its potential influence on coffee productivity in areas west of Rift, Kenya. Data on information inputs for best practices in cultivation, soil fertility management, canopy management, intensive land use, crop protection and cherry harvesting were collected from 140 participants sampled through purposive and stratified random sampling techniques. The study adopted an ex post facto survey design and utilized semi-structured interview schedules for data gathering. Relationships between information inputs and productivity were estimated using chi squares’ Contingency coefficient and the more robust Welch’s ANOVA and its associated measure of strength, Eta squared (Eta2). Results suggest diverse levels of information inputs among the smallholder farmers. Information-inputs on soil fertility management showed a particularly strong association with yields (Welch P < .001, Eta2 = .108). Information-inputs on canopy management had significant association with cherry quality (P < .05, Eta2 = .078). Other information-input areas showed none to small associations with yield and quality. The study concludes that information inputs in smallholder coffee farms are at different levels and have a direct consequence on coffee yields and quality. It is recommended that the delivery of information inputs by extension agents should emphasize soil fertility management and canopy management for enhanced coffee productivity. Further study to unearth the latent facts for the differentiated information-input levels is recommended.