Journal of
Development and Agricultural Economics

  • Abbreviation: J. Dev. Agric. Econ.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 2006-9774
  • DOI: 10.5897/JDAE
  • Start Year: 2009
  • Published Articles: 549

Article in Press

The Effect of Socioeconomic Factors on Household Agro-enterprise Incomes Amongst Dryland Farming Communities in Chepareria Ward, Kenya

Fred K. Wamalwa, Wilson Ngeā€™tich, Syphyline Kebeney, Boniface Alkamoi, Harrison Churu

  •  Received: 18 September 2023
  •  Accepted: 13 December 2023
Dry lands cover over 40% of the earth's land surface. 84% of land mass in Kenya is semi and arid lands (ASALs). Chapareria Ward of West Pokot County in Kenya is among the most degraded ASALs. Since 2014, Dryland Farmers Research Network (DFRN) project, a soil and water conservation (SWC) initiative is under implementation in Chepareria ward of West Pokot County. All the SWC activities are community driven and anchored on circular economy principle of agro-ecology. The study sought to identify socio-economic determinants of household agro-enterprise incomes in Chepareria ward. It adopted cross-sectional design that involved survey of 400 farmers. Of these, 200 respondents were randomly selected from DFRN Project farmer beneficiaries in four locations. An extra 200 non-DFRN farmers were interviewed from additional four locations. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression models. The study found household head age, female headed households, household size, house head education, household land size, and household income to be significant determinants of household agro-enterprise incomes. The study ended with recommendations for development practioners, policy makers and future research.

Keywords: Circular economy; Crop enterprises; Household; Livestock Enterprises; West Pokot County.