Socio-Economic Factors Affecting Sorghum Production Among Small Scale Farmers in Kibwezi East Sub County Makueni County

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to determine the effects of socio economic factors on sorghum production in Kibwezi East Sub County. This was because researchers had mainly done their studies on climatic factors, marketing and pricing of sorghum thus leaving socio-economic factors on sorghum production not well addressed. The study used cross sectional survey design and questionnaires to collect data. The questionnaires were administered to smallholder farmers. The research therefore intended to come up with possible ways to increase sorghum production as well as productivity that will furthermore increase farmer’s income as well as addressing food security not only in Kibwezi East but also in Kenya. Fifty farmers were used as a sample. Data was collected using questionnaires, analyzed using quantitative techniques such as frequencies and percentages. Karl Pearson correlation and linear regression determined the relationship and effect between dependent and independent variables by aid of SPSS. The findings revealed that majority of farmers were aged, had less access to certified seeds, low level of education and had large tracks of land that were underutilized for agricultural purposes. The research concluded that certified seeds, human assets (training) and land size affected sorghum production. There was also a strong positive relationship between production and age as size of land. The study recommended that government should provide certified seeds to farmers and train them. Farmers should also be encouraged to participate at training sessions as well as youth encouraged to take part in agricultural activities for better production and also maximize land use.