Contribution of Sustainable Land Management Practices in Snow Peas Farming to Production Costs in Gathara Ward
Keywords:
Snow peas, farming, production costs, Gathara WardAbstract
The research study focuses on evolution of consumer demands which led to development of certification schemes that begun with development of Europe’s Protocol for Good Agricultural Practice, EUREPGAP which later on changed to Global Protocol for Good Agricultural Practice. This was after the realization of unsustainable production practices that resulted in environmental degradation and did not uphold human dignity. As such, Kenya went ahead and localized the certification scheme which was guided by Strategy to Revitalize the Agricultural Sector that aimed at ensuring sustainable production systems. Among the standards include, the sustainable land management practices which have been known to be environmental friendly as well as result in job creation. The study focuses on snow peas production which is among the affected horticultural produce. It targets smallholder producers in North Kinangop Ward who have had difficulties of complying with the standards due to the cost implications. More specifically it will: Determine contribution of sustainable land management practices in snow peas farming to production costs in North Kinangop Ward; Assess environmental implications of integrating sustainable land management practices in snow peas farming in North Kinangop Ward and; Examine the market opportunities for integrating sustainable land management practices in snow peas farming in North Kinangop Ward. The study therefore revealed some of the benefits realized upon adoption of sustainable land management practices by use of both qualitative and quantitative data. The data was collected using questionnaires and key informant interviews. The quantitative data were appropriately be coded and then cleaned using Census and Survey Processing System (CSpro) a computer programme and later on exported to Statistical Package for Social Sciences for analysis. Percentages, means and regression analysis shall be used in generating results for all the objectives. For qualitative data, themes shall be developed and data categorized as per the themes, then using inferential deduction conclusions shall be drawn to build up on the results from SPSS analysis. The multivariate logistic regression revealed that certification schemes were negatively and significantly associated with cost of production. In addition, the study found out that certification requirement practices and cost of production are negatively and significantly related Irrigation frequency and cost of production are negatively and significantly related. Method to control pests and diseases and cost of production are negatively and significantly related. Further, the finding of the study demonstrated that source of capital and cost of production is negatively and significantly relate.
Keywords: Snow peas, farming, production costs, Gathara Ward
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