International Journal of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development

ISSN 2756-3642

International Journal of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development ISSN 3254-5428 Vol. 7 (2), pp. 001-005, February, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Impact of credit uptake on performance of improved indigenous chicken enterprises among smallholder farmers in Kenya

1Sarah L. Mango*, 1Eric K. Bett, 1Newton Nyairo       

1Department of Agribusiness Management and Trade, Kenyatta University, P.O Box 43844-0100, Nairobi, Kenya.

Accepted 30 December, 2018

Abstract

Availability of credit has been applauded as the most important resource for the success of any business venture. In Kenya, Youth enterprise development fund has been extending credit services to youths in chicken business since 2006 as a strategy by the government to create employment opportunities for the youths. However, information on whether this credit facility has increased both income and productivity levels remains scanty and undocumented. The proposed study sought to establish the impact of the fund on both income and the number of chickens raised in Siaya County. Multistage sampling technique was employed to sample both credit and non credit beneficiaries in the study area. Both primary and secondary data were utilized in the study where primary data was collected by semi-structured questionnaire. Propensity score matching with the aid of STATA version 11.0 statistical software was employed to establish whether there was a significant difference between the treated and untreated groups. Results revealed that use of credit had a statistically significance impact on farm income P<0.05 and number of chickens raised P<0.05. The study recommended for awareness creation among youths on the existence of the credit and creation of another microfinance fund to carter for the elderly farmers

Keywords: Indigenous chicken(IC), credit, impact, youths, propensity score matching.