ISSN 2167-0447
International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 2 (5), pp.153-156, May, 2012. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Dissemination of market access and technology information among coconut farmers: a case study of Kilifi County in Kenya
Najya Muhammeda*, Geoffrey Kashindib, Halimu Shauric Suhaila Hashima and Joyce Maling’ad
aDepartment of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Pwani University College, P.O. Box 195-80108, Kilifi, Kenya.
b Department of Biological Sciences, Pwani University College, P.O. Box 195-80108, Kilifi, Kenya.
c Department Social Sciences, Pwani University College, P.O. Box 195-80108, Kilifi, Kenya.
d Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, Njoro, P. O. Box Private Bag – 20107, Njoro, Kenya
*Corresponding Author’s E-mail: [email protected]
Received March 6, 2012; Accepted May 10, 2012
Abstract
The study was to determine the effectiveness of value chain approach to upgrading the coconut sub-sector. Focus was on identification and assessment of farmer’s personal attributes influencing farmer-to-farmer dissemination of market access and technology information. A baseline survey, preceding a participatory value chain analysis, involving 113 sampled households in Kilifi County was conducted. Data collected was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences. Tests on factors associated with farmer-to-farmer and processor-to-farmer dissemination of market access and technology information were done. Findings show that 88.5% of households were headed by male farmers with gender of household heads showing no significance in information dissemination on market access (p= 0.730) and market access and technology information (p= 0.574). Most farmers (63.6% males and 42.3% females) had secondary and above levels of education and were giving more market access and technology information than their counterparts. Statistical analysis also shows a difference in dissemination amongst farmers with different levels of education which was not significant (p=0.183). Processors with investment above average (37.2%) showed a tendency to disseminate information more than their counterparts but this was not significant for market access information (p=0.259) and market access and technology information (p=0.571).
Key words: Kenyan Coast, Coconut, Value Chain Analysis, Market Access, technology information