Kisii County: Insights from the Agriculture Sector Survey (November 2024)

The Agriculture Sector Survey (November 2024) sheds light on the critical aspects of Kisii County’s agricultural landscape, including crop production, market dynamics, input usage, and challenges. Here is a focused analysis of the findings relevant to Kisii County.

Agricultural Performance in Kisii

1. Key Crops and Expected Output:
   • Farmers in Kisii anticipate increased acreage and higher crop yields due to favorable rainfall and government interventions, such as the subsidized fertilizer program.
   • Crops like kales (sukuma wiki), spinach, tomatoes, carrots, and beans are projected to see significant output increases.
2. Favorable Weather:
   • Above-average rainfall in the March-May 2024 season and expectations for continued favorable conditions during the October-December short rains have positively influenced agricultural productivity.

Factors Affecting Agricultural Production

1. Input Challenges:
   • High input costs: Over 94% of farmers cited the high cost of fertilizers, seeds, and pesticides as a major barrier.
   • Limited access to quality inputs: Poor distribution and inadequate financial resources further hinder farmers’ ability to secure essential inputs.
2. Pests and Diseases:
   • Over 80% of farmers reported pests and diseases as a persistent challenge affecting crop yields.
3. Mechanization and Labour:
   • While mechanization is growing, limited access to affordable equipment and high labor costs continue to constrain productivity. Most small-scale farmers rely heavily on family labor.

Marketing and Sales of Produce

1. Price Fluctuations:
   • Over 80% of farmers in Kisii face volatile price changes, particularly for crops like tomatoes, cabbages, and onions. Price instability is often caused by seasonal oversupply or shortages.
2. Middlemen and Infrastructure:
   • Price distortions by middlemen (reported by 69% of farmers) and poor road infrastructure (64%) hinder efficient market access and fair pricing.
3. Storage and Post-Harvest Losses:
   • A lack of proper storage facilities and inadequate drying centers for cereals contribute to significant post-harvest losses, further exacerbating financial pressures on farmers.

Use of Farm Inputs

1. Subsidized Fertilizer Program:
   • 58% of farmers accessed subsidized fertilizer, which has positively impacted crop yields. However, logistical challenges, including insufficient supply and long travel distances to collection centers, remain.
2. Reliance on Inorganic Fertilizers and Pesticides:
   • Inorganic fertilizers (85%) and pesticides/herbicides (54%) are the most widely used inputs, reflecting their importance in maintaining crop health and productivity.

Credit Access and Financing

1. Barriers to Credit:
   • High interest rates, lack of collateral, and a general aversion to borrowing due to the risk of auctioning assets deter many farmers from seeking loans.
   • Approximately 80% of farmers rely on rain-fed agriculture, making their income streams vulnerable to climate variability and discouraging financial risk-taking.
2. Innovative Financing:
   • Farmers are increasingly using digital loans and government-backed funds, such as the Hustler Fund, to mitigate financial constraints.

Policy Recommendations for Kisii

To address the challenges highlighted, the following interventions are proposed:

1. Infrastructure Development:
   • Improve feeder roads to enhance market access and reduce transport costs.
   • Establish maize drying and storage facilities to minimize post-harvest losses.
2. Input Accessibility:
   • Expand the subsidized fertilizer program to cover more farmers and reduce logistical challenges.
   • Provide targeted subsidies for pesticides/herbicides, given their critical role in crop protection.
3. Price Stabilization:
   • Implement mechanisms to stabilize market prices and safeguard farmers from seasonal price fluctuations.
4. Irrigation Systems:
   • Invest in irrigation infrastructure to reduce reliance on rain-fed agriculture, which is vulnerable to climate variability.
5. Extension Services:
   • Offer training and support from agronomists to promote sustainable and efficient farming practices.

Conclusion

Kisii County’s agricultural sector is poised for growth, supported by favorable weather, government interventions, and farmer resilience. However, addressing systemic challenges such as input costs, infrastructure deficiencies, and market inefficiencies is essential to unlocking the region’s full agricultural potential. With the right policies and investments, Kisii can emerge as a model for agricultural development in Kenya.

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