Effect of Selected Economic Factors on Adoption of Cotton Production Among Small Scale Farmers in Evurore Ward, Embu County

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of selected economic factors on adoption of cotton production. Adoption of cotton production is a very important chance to improve the economy of Embu County. Since cotton is an important cash crop used by both, developed and developing countries, it has important implication for livelihoods of rural people. In order to achieve this, several interventions have been done in this sector. The general objective was to determine effect of selected economic factors on adoption of cotton production among small-scale farmers in Evurore Ward, Embu County. The specific objectives were to determine effect of access to market on adoption of cotton production in Evurore ward, to determine effect of cost of production on adoption of cotton production in Evurore ward and to determine effect of access to extension services on adoption of cotton production in Evurore. The study was confined to Evurore ward because it is one of the suitable areas for cotton production in Embu County the area has climate favorable for cotton production. The target population was small-scale farmers who grow cotton under little technology with small land size below a hectare. Questionnaires were used to collect data from selected farmers. A sample size of fifty was used to represent all small scale farmers in the area. The data, in form of the coded variables, was entered into the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), followed by data editing. This exercise ensured that every data entered for each questionnaire in each variable is correct. The study used descriptive survey design. Descriptive survey design was appropriate because it involves collecting data in order to answer questions concerning the status of subjects, of the study. Access to market had a strong positive relationship, access to extension services had strong positive relationship and cost of production had a moderate positive relationship on adoption of cotton production in Evurore ward. Therefore the research concluded that access to market, extension services and cost of production had a positive influence on adoption of cotton production in the study area. The study recommends that the government should facilitate development of local and international market for cotton products and ensure effective and efficient extension services.