Effect of Commercialization on Input Use Among Smallholder Pre-Cooking Bean Agriprenuers in Kenya.

Abstract:

Agricultural commercialization is a strategy that has been adopted to enhance input use among smallholder farmers in order to increase productivity. This paper determines the effect of commercialization on input use among smallholder pre-cooking bean agriprenuers in Kimilili Sub-County, Kenya. Cross-sectional data were collected from 413 smallholder pre-cooking bean farmers through an interview using a semi-structured questionnaire. Double-Hurdle model was used for analysis. Findings revealed that receiving a subsidy and owning livestock reduced the probability of buying chemical fertilizer at 1% and 5% significance levels, respectively. However, owning a farm store increased the buying probability at 1% significance level. Education, land size, intercropping, and owning a transport facility increased values of chemical fertilizer bought. However, receiving a subsidy reduced the value bought at 1% significance level. Commercialization specifically through input subsidy has a significant negative effect on input use. The study recommends a swift from direct price support to market-enabling strategies like road network and storage facility improvements.