Authors :
Anne Gichangi; Zenah Koskei; Henry Okwaro; Ben Otukho; Stephen Ndaiga
Volume/Issue :
Volume 9 - 2024, Issue 2 - February
Google Scholar :
https://tinyurl.com/mrxb2k9n
Scribd :
https://tinyurl.com/2p9r5rxn
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/IJISRT24FEB1490
Abstract :
Agriculture contributes 24% directly to the
Gross Domestic Product (GDP), 60% of the export
earnings and about 75% of industrial raw materials. Food
crops subsector contributes about 30% to the Kenyan
GDP. Among the cereals in Kenya, wheat is the second
most important after maize. Wheat has a substantial
contribution to poverty reduction, food security and
creation of employment. Due to the high growth in
population, increased urbanization, and related changing
trends in food consumption patterns, the demand for
wheat and wheat products is on the increase. Demand for
wheat products is apparent in the preference of
confectionery, pasta and breakfast cereals. Wheat
demand in Kenya has been swelling hence production has
not been able to certify it leading to importation of huge
quantities to fill the gap between demand and supply.
Increased imports diminish local prices. This becomes a
disincentive leading to decline in wheat production. In
regard to the importance of wheat enterprise in the
country, a survey was conducted to determine factors that
have led to decline in wheat production and there after
give recommendations for future research. Primary data
was collected by use of structured questionnaires to a
sample size of 344 wheat farmers in selected wheat
producing counties of Kenya. Results of the survey reveal
that factors contributing to low wheat production consists
of: pests, diseases and Shortage of improved wheat variety
seed, droughts, heavy rains, and high cost of farm inputs.
Through wheat research, the country will increase
production, reduce the amount of wheat imports hence
save the country’s foreign exchange. The study was
undertaken in Narok and Nakuru Counties of Kenya. A
sample size of 344 farmers was involved in the survey.
Njoro BWII the most famous variety accounting for
30.4% of the total wheat varieties cultivated followed by
Kwale (10.41%), Kenya Korongo (10.28%), Eagle10
(6.17%), and Kenya Kingbird (5.21%). All these (5)
varieties collectively account 55.71% of the total varieties
cultivated by the farmers in the study areas. Some of the
varieties are more than 20years old. This indicates that
wheat varietal turnover is very low. As a recommendation,
to improve wheat production in Kenya, adoption of the
new improved technologies should be accelerated to reduce
the adoption lag period, varietal turnover rates should be
increased and wheat production risks eliminated or
minimized. Additionally, appropriate development
programmes and policies promoting new technologies
should target disease and pest management, input and
output distribution, seed multiplication and diffusion.
Keywords :
Determinants, Low Productivity, Consumption, Imports, Wheat.
Agriculture contributes 24% directly to the
Gross Domestic Product (GDP), 60% of the export
earnings and about 75% of industrial raw materials. Food
crops subsector contributes about 30% to the Kenyan
GDP. Among the cereals in Kenya, wheat is the second
most important after maize. Wheat has a substantial
contribution to poverty reduction, food security and
creation of employment. Due to the high growth in
population, increased urbanization, and related changing
trends in food consumption patterns, the demand for
wheat and wheat products is on the increase. Demand for
wheat products is apparent in the preference of
confectionery, pasta and breakfast cereals. Wheat
demand in Kenya has been swelling hence production has
not been able to certify it leading to importation of huge
quantities to fill the gap between demand and supply.
Increased imports diminish local prices. This becomes a
disincentive leading to decline in wheat production. In
regard to the importance of wheat enterprise in the
country, a survey was conducted to determine factors that
have led to decline in wheat production and there after
give recommendations for future research. Primary data
was collected by use of structured questionnaires to a
sample size of 344 wheat farmers in selected wheat
producing counties of Kenya. Results of the survey reveal
that factors contributing to low wheat production consists
of: pests, diseases and Shortage of improved wheat variety
seed, droughts, heavy rains, and high cost of farm inputs.
Through wheat research, the country will increase
production, reduce the amount of wheat imports hence
save the country’s foreign exchange. The study was
undertaken in Narok and Nakuru Counties of Kenya. A
sample size of 344 farmers was involved in the survey.
Njoro BWII the most famous variety accounting for
30.4% of the total wheat varieties cultivated followed by
Kwale (10.41%), Kenya Korongo (10.28%), Eagle10
(6.17%), and Kenya Kingbird (5.21%). All these (5)
varieties collectively account 55.71% of the total varieties
cultivated by the farmers in the study areas. Some of the
varieties are more than 20years old. This indicates that
wheat varietal turnover is very low. As a recommendation,
to improve wheat production in Kenya, adoption of the
new improved technologies should be accelerated to reduce
the adoption lag period, varietal turnover rates should be
increased and wheat production risks eliminated or
minimized. Additionally, appropriate development
programmes and policies promoting new technologies
should target disease and pest management, input and
output distribution, seed multiplication and diffusion.
Keywords :
Determinants, Low Productivity, Consumption, Imports, Wheat.
