An Evaluation of the Operations of Three Farmer Associations in Western Kenya

Abstract: 
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the operation of three contrasting farmer association in western Kenya in order to recommend ways in which to improve the economic performance of the associations. Secondary data were obtained from the Ministry of Agriculture records while primary data were collected through administration of a questionnaire to a sample of 223 households. The sampled households were randomly selected using the multi-stage sampling procedure. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) to identify the relationship between variables (operations and activities of the farmer associations) and their influence on economic viability and sustainability of the farmer associations. It was found that more women were members of FAs than men. Farm size was important in influencing the range of services farmer associations provide to their members. It is important to enhance the capacity of the FAs to develop and implement viable economic activities to reduce over reliance on donations.
Le but de cette étude était d’évaluer le fonctionnement de trois associations d’agriculteurs contrastées à l’ouest du Kenya, afin de recommander des moyens d’améliorer la performance économique des associations. Les données secondaires ont été obtenues des rapports du ministère de l’Agriculture alors que les données primaires ont été recueillies par l’administration d’un questionnaire à un échantillon de 223 ménages. Les ménages échantillonnés ont été choisis au hasard à l’aide de la procédure d’échantillonnage à plusieurs degrés. Les données ont été analysées en utilisant le logiciel statistique pour les sciences sociales (SPSS) afin d’identifier la relation entre les variables (opérations et activités des associations d’agriculteurs) et leur influence sur la viabilité économique et la durabilité des associations d’agriculteurs. Il a été constaté que beaucoup de femmes étaient membres des Associations d’Agriculteurs (FAs) que les hommes. La taille des exploitations a été importante pour une influence sur la gamme de services que les associations d’agriculteurs fournissent à leurs membres. Il est important de renforcer la capacité des FAs dans le but de développer et mettre en oeuvre des activités économiques viables permettant de réduire la dépendance sur des dons.
Language: 
Extended abstract under Value Chains and Innovation Platform
Date of publication: 
2012
Country: 
Region Focus: 
East Africa
Collection: 
RUFORUM Conferences and Workshops
Agris Subject Categories: 
Licence conditions: 
Open Access
Form: 
Printed resource
Publisher: 
Notes: 

The 2012 RUFORUM Biennial Conference is the third in the series. The main objective of the Biennial conferences is to provide a platform for agricultural research for development stakeholders in Africa and beyond to actively exchange findings and experiences, while at the same time learning lessons towards improving performance of the agricultural sector and ultimately people’s livelihoods. The biennial conference is RUFORUM’s most comprehensive meeting for the diversity of stakeholders in agriculture. It is especially dedicated to graduate students and their supervisors, grantees in RUFORUM member universities and alumni. It is a platform for peer review, quality control, mentorship, networking and shared learning. The third Biennial Conference was attended by 657 participants. This record contains an extended abstract accepted under the theme Extended abstract under Value Chains and Innovation Platform