Impact of Agricultural Reform Measures on Maize Production among Small Scale Farmers: The Case of Western Province of Kenya

Abstract

The introduction of SAPs (Structural Adjustment Programmes) and trade liberalisation resulted in agricultural reforms in Kenya and other developing countries. Hence the Kenya government no longer gives incentives to small scale farmers. The study therefore sought to find out the impact of agricultural reform measures put in place to increase maize production in the agricultural reform era in Western Province of Kenya. The study used Ex-post facto research design via cross sectional survey. Busia, Bungoma, Mt. Elgon and Lugari districts were purposively selected to represent Western Province. Two divisions from each of the four districts were selected by simple random sampling. For uniformity purposes 200 small scale farmers were selected from focal areas through systematic random sampling hence ensuring that they all had been exposed to extension staff. Four key informants were sampled purposefully based on their positions of authority. In addition, 52 extension staffs were sampled through systematic random sampling. The small holder farmers were interviewed with the help of interview schedule containing open and closed ended questions. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The study revealed that the government’s support to the small scale farmers was minimal, and that there were changes such as liberalisation of the input market & National Cereals and Produce Board that did not favour the small scale farmer and this might have discouraged them from increasing maize production. Agricultural reform measures put in place to encourage small scale farmers in Western Province to increase maize production has changed over the years. However, the small scale farmers were either not aware of these changes or were not able to take advantage of these changes. AS a result, the small scale farmers did not take charge of factors affecting production and marketing of their maize. The study recommended that the extension staff should teach the small scale farmers on the changes that have been brought about by SAPs and market liberalisation and how to take advantage of such opportunities such as form strong common interest groups.