THE INFLUENCE OF FARMER CHARACTERISTICS ON PERFORMANCE OF COMMERCIAL FARMERS IN KIAMBU COUNTY, KENYA
Journal Title: European Journal of Business and Social Sciences - Year 2016, Vol 5, Issue 3
Abstract
The objective of this study was to examine the influence of farmer characteristics on performance of commercial farmers in Kiambu County, Kenya. Data was collected using a semi structured questionnaire and analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Majority of the respondents were males aged 40 years and above. The respondents had acquired a minimum of secondary level of education and had over 5 years experience in farming fresh fruits and vegetables. Majority of the farms were 2 acres and below and were owned by either families or individuals. The main sources of funding were table banking and farm sales income. The study established a statistically significant relationship between farmer characteristics and performance of commercial farmers. The study was limited by the narrow scope which focused on few constructs and self reported data with no collaborative evidence. The study recommends that farmers should enhance their abilities by joining associations, improving their education and agricultural training and increasing their funding so as to improve their performance. The government should set up the requisite infrastructure and provide the facilitation and resources required to enlighten and support farmers in their farming initiatives. Future research should target other fresh agricultural products; increase the variables and constructs being investigated and target other counties with differing social economic and climatic conditions. A study designed with farmer characteristics as the independent variable and branding practice as the dependent variable would add new dimensions to observed interactions and unveil extra interactions and relationships.
Authors and Affiliations
Dr. Isaac M. Nkari (PhD)| Lecturer in the Department of Business Studies, Chuka University, Kenya, Kenya. Tel. +254722978836. Box 64687 Code 00620 Nairobi Kenya. Email: isaacnkari@yahoo.com, Prof. Francis N. Kibera (PhD)| Co-Author Professor of Marketing, Department of Business Administration, University of Nairobi, Kenya. Tel. +254722513259. Email: profkibera@gmail.com
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP10775
- DOI -
- Views 303
- Downloads 17
THE DIFFUSION OF AN AUTHORITARIAN INNOVATION IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE E-ACCOUNTING IN MEXICO
Aproblem that affects several countries in the world is the low tax collection. According to the Organization for the Cooperation and Economic Development, Mexico has a low tax revenue despite the fact that its income...
COMPARING THE EFFICIENCY OF DISTRIBUTION METHODS IN HOME APPLIANCE INDUSTRY
Distribution channels strategy is extremely important for the success of business operations in any branch of business. The goal and purpose is to satisfy the consumer and get continued business from him/her. The pri...
THE EFFECTS OF TWO MAJOR IMPACTS ON ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE ALIAS UNIVERSITY-AU EAD IN 2013
Article monograph discusses the effects of two impacts on organizational culture Alias University-AU EAD in 2013. We present concepts of organizational culture and change in the same relating to the experience of the...
EMPIRICAL INVESTIGATION BETWEEN BUDGET DEFICIT, INFLATION AND MONEY SUPPLY IN NIGERIA
The paper critically investigates the long term relationship between budget deficit, money supply and inflation in Nigeria between 1975 and 2012. The paper employs quantitative methodological framework and specificall...
EXOGENOUS AND DIRECT OBSERVABLE FACTORS AFFECTING ATTITUDE – CASE STUDY ON ROMANIAN CAR MARKET
Attitude is the process that influences in the most visible way the actual consumption behavior, considering all consumer behavior processes. Although theorists have studied for the last century how attitude is formed...