IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/ags/ajaees/389073.html

Rice Farmers’ Perception on Subsidized Fertilizer Distribution and Technical Advice on Fertilizer Utilization in Western Kenya

Author

Listed:
  • Okech, Joseph Newton O.
  • Ogallo, Leo
  • Ojiem, John
  • Rewe, Mercy
  • Balah, Oyata

Abstract

This study examined farmers perceptions on subsidized fertilizer distribution mechanisms and agricultural extension services in Western Kenya. It sought to determine how the technical guidance influenced the fertilizer use efficiency and system-level obstacles to fair access to inputs. A cross-sectional design and multi-stage sampling were used to survey 480 smallholder rice farmers across rain-fed and irrigated ecosystems in Kisumu and Busia counties between July and October 2024. Structured questionnaires were used in capturing primary data while Secondary data was collected from 13 key informants, including governmental and non-governmental institutions. Data envelopment analysis (DEA), and stochastic frontier analysis (SFA) were employed in analyzing the efficiency of distribution systems and extension services. Findings revealed that 71% of farmers cited corruption in fertilizer distribution, 54% lacked access to subsidized inputs, and others reported inflation (40%) and hoarding (41%). Regarding extension services, 62% had no extension contact, and 43% were advised only once per year. Adoption of new rice varieties was high (72%), only 45% improved post-harvest practices. There was strong support for cooperative-led solutions: group-based input distribution (84%), farmer representation (93%), and bulk purchasing (73%). However, demand-driven extension was perceived as costly (72%) and confusing (63%). Fragmented extension systems and inequitable input distribution were key barriers to fertilizer utilization. The study recommends policy reforms to address corruption, strengthen farmer cooperatives, and promote integrated extension models. Adoption of hybrid extension approaches and technology-driven input systems will be vital in enhancing efficiency and equity in Kenya’s rice sector.

Suggested Citation

  • Okech, Joseph Newton O. & Ogallo, Leo & Ojiem, John & Rewe, Mercy & Balah, Oyata, 2025. "Rice Farmers’ Perception on Subsidized Fertilizer Distribution and Technical Advice on Fertilizer Utilization in Western Kenya," Asian Journal of Agricultural Extension, Economics & Sociology, Asian Journal of Agricultural Extension, Economics & Sociology, vol. 43(7).
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:ajaees:389073
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://ageconsearch.umn.edu/record/389073/files/Okech4372025AJAEES141606.pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. repec:wbk:wbpubs:37224 is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Jeff Bennett & Ekin Birol (ed.), 2010. "Choice Experiments in Developing Countries," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 13208.
    3. Sokvibol Kea & Hua Li & Linvolak Pich, 2016. "Technical Efficiency and Its Determinants of Rice Production in Cambodia," Economies, MDPI, vol. 4(4), pages 1-17, October.
    4. Arouna, Aminou & Michler, Jeffrey D. & Lokossou, Jourdain C., 2021. "Contract farming and rural transformation: Evidence from a field experiment in Benin," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 151(C).
    5. repec:wbk:wbpubs:36519 is not listed on IDEAS
    6. Zhilu Sun & Xiande Li, 2021. "Technical Efficiency of Chemical Fertilizer Use and Its Influencing Factors in China’s Rice Production," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-18, January.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Xenarios, Stefanos & Amarasinghe, Upali A. & Sharma, Bharat R., 2011. "Valuating agricultural water use and ecological services in agrarian economies: evidences from eastern India," IWMI Reports 158839, International Water Management Institute.
    2. Md. Tajuddin Khan & Avinash Kishore & P.K. Joshi, 2016. "Gender Dimensions on Farmers’ Preferences for Direct-Seeded Rice with Drum Seeder in India," Working Papers id:11274, eSocialSciences.
    3. Pierre-Alexandre Mahieu & Henrik Andersson & Olivier Beaumais & Romain Crastes dit Sourd & Stephane Hess & François-Charles Wolf, 2017. "Stated preferences: a unique database composed of 1657recent published articles in journals relatedto agriculture, environment, or health," Review of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Studies, INRA Department of Economics, vol. 98(3), pages 201-220.
    4. Gabriela Scheufele & Jeff Bennett, 2011. "Valuing ecosystem resilience," Environmental Economics Research Hub Research Reports 1098, Environmental Economics Research Hub, Crawford School of Public Policy, The Australian National University.
    5. Ulf Liebe & Ismaïl M. Moumouni & Christine Bigler & Chantal Ingabire & Sabin Bieri, 2020. "Using Factorial Survey Experiments to Measure Attitudes, Social Norms, and Fairness Concerns in Developing Countries," Sociological Methods & Research, , vol. 49(1), pages 161-192, February.
    6. Simon Meunier & Dale T. Manning & Loic Queval & Judith A. Cherni & Philippe Dessante & Daniel Zimmerle, 2019. "Determinants of the marginal willingness to pay for improved domestic water and irrigation in partially electrified Rwandan villages," Post-Print hal-02179229, HAL.
    7. Ella Kirchner & Oliver Musshoff, 2024. "Digital opportunities for the distribution of index‐based microinsurance: Evidence from a discrete choice experiment in Mali," Journal of Agricultural Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 75(2), pages 794-815, June.
    8. Kanchanaroek, Yingluk & Termansen, Mette & Quinn, Claire, 2013. "Property rights regimes in complex fishery management systems: A choice experiment application," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 363-373.
    9. Salazar-Baño, Alfredo-Geovanny & Chas-Amil, María-Luisa & Soliño, Mario, 2024. "The invisible risks of the trans-Ecuadorian oil pipeline system: An analysis of social preferences in Quito," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 94(C).
    10. Goedele Van den Broeck & Kaat Van Hoyweghen & Miet Maertens, 2016. "Employment Conditions in the Senegalese Horticultural Export Industry: A Worker Perspective," Development Policy Review, Overseas Development Institute, vol. 34(2), pages 301-319, March.
    11. Cano, Alexander & Cortés, Darwin & Mantilla, César & Prada, Laura & Restrepo, Medardo, 2022. "The trade-off between liquidity and insurance: voucher payments in a lab-in-the-field experiment with Colombian rural workers," Working papers 88, Red Investigadores de Economía.
    12. Muhamad Zahid Muhamad & Mad Nasir Shamsudin & Nitty Hirawaty Kamarulzaman & Nolila Mohd Nawi & Jamaliah Laham, 2022. "Investigating Yield Variability and Technical Efficiency of Smallholders Pineapple Production in Johor," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-18, November.
    13. Navrud,Stale & Strand,Jon & Navrud,Stale & Strand,Jon, 2013. "Valuing global public goods : a European Delphi stated preference survey of population willingness to pay for Amazon rainforest preservation," Policy Research Working Paper Series 6637, The World Bank.
    14. Fitawek, Wegayehu & Hendriks, Sheryl L., 2023. "The role of contract farming on household food security in Kenya and Madagascar," 2023 Seventh AAAE/60th AEASA Conference, September 18-21, 2023, Durban, South Africa 365943, African Association of Agricultural Economists (AAAE).
    15. repec:iwt:rerpts:h043778 is not listed on IDEAS
    16. Tamon Baba & Hisako Nomura & Pao Srean & Tha Than & Kasumi Ito, 2022. "Effects of Mechanization and Investments on the Technical Efficiency of Cassava Farms in Cambodia," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-13, March.
    17. Khun, Channary & Lim, Sokchea, 2023. "Productivity and market participation: Cambodian rice farmers," Journal of Asian Economics, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).
    18. Saunders, Caroline & Guenther, Meike & Tait, Peter & Saunders, John, 2013. "Consumer attitudes and willingness to pay for attributes of food, in particular from New Zealand," 2013 Conference (57th), February 5-8, 2013, Sydney, Australia 158378, Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society.
    19. Tuan Minh Cao & Sang Hyeon Lee & Ji Yong Lee, 2023. "The Impact of Natural Disasters and Pest Infestations on Technical Efficiency in Rice Production: A Study in Vietnam," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-16, July.
    20. Akbar Khan Khajjak & Tehmina Mangan, 2022. "Factors Influencing Water Saving Measures and Water-Use Efficiency of Wheat Growers in Sindh, Pakistan," Journal of Economic Impact, Science Impact Publishers, vol. 4(2), pages 115-123.
    21. Mai Chiem Tuyen & Prapinwadee Sirisupluxana & Isriya Bunyasiri & Pham Xuan Hung, 2022. "Perceptions, Problems and Prospects of Contract Farming: Insights from Rice Production in Vietnam," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-22, September.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:ags:ajaees:389073. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: AgEcon Search (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://journalajaees.com/index.php/AJAEES/index .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.