Effect of Farm Succession and Farm Inputs use on Coffee Productivity in Kisii County, South Western Kenya

Abstract

Aims: The study aimed at establishing the effect farm succession on farm input usage and coffee productivity. Study Design: The study employed a case study research design. Place and Duration of the Study: the study was conducted in Kisii County, Kenya, between August 2013 and July 2014. Methodology: Multistage, simple random and purposive sampling procedure was used to sample 227 respondents out of the 69,000 coffee farmers’ population in Kisii County. Structured questionnaires, focus group discussion, interviews were used to collect data and secondary data was achieved through literature search and existing record information. Results: The findings indicate majority of the respondents are ageing with an average age of 57 years, coffee farming is done in small-scale, those farmers who have identified a successor have the successor between the age of 19-35 years .It was further found that most farmers (77.1%) do not use lime in their farms while majority of the farmers use fertilizer (83.7%) and pesticides (74.8%). On the effect of succession on fertilizer, pesticides and lime use, the research found a Pearson correlation p = 0.087, 0.026 and 0.395 respectively. Conclusion and Recommendation: From the statistics computed, identification of a successor in relation to use of insecticides and pesticides has significant effect on production while use of fertilizer and lime are independent of farm succession. It is therefore prudent that succession plan is carried out in a timely manner to ensure that new energy and skills are put on coffee farming hence sustain its productivity.