Effect Of Certified Organic Production Systems On The Livelihood Of Smallholder Farmers In Kenya

ABSTRACT

The main objective of the study was to assess the effect of certified organic production systems on the livelihood of smallholder producers in Kenya. The study followed explanatory research design using two purposively pro-poor chosen case studies (honey production in Mwingi district and vegetables production in Ngong district). Collection of primary data was through face-to-face interviews using pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire. Collection of contextual data was through focus group discussions. Poverty and women empowerment was measured using multidimensional methodology while nutritional security by means of household dietary diversity index. Data was analyzed by descriptive statistics, heterogeneous treatment effect model, endogenous switching regression as well as univariate and multivariate and two-Limit Tobit. Findings were that the economically and socially advantaged farmers benefited most in certified organic vegetable production systems, in terms of household income, while the opposite was true in certified organic honey production system. Certified organic producers were 7% and 18 % less likely to be poor compared to non-participating among vegetable and honey producers, respectively. On average, women involvement in agricultural decision making was about 38% and 35% in vegetable and honey producing households, respectively. Households who were not certified would have reported about 24% and 31% more HDDS among vegetable and honey producers respectively if they participated in certified organic production. To public policy, enhancing pro-poor participation in such emerging high value supply chains requires proper targeting and screening of famers during enrolment as well as enhancing other drivers that increase the likelihood of participation like training programs and building higher social capital. In terms of women empowerment, participation in off-farm income activities by women could prove essential in enhancing their empowerment in agriculture raising a concern to policy makers on how to create more sustainable off-farm activities opportunities for women to induce their empowerment further. Additionally, promotion of integrated economic, environmental and nutritional behavioural change farmer extension programmes through certified organic production systems schemes proves imperative among smallholder farmers in making informed food choices resulting to better household nutritional outcomes. Future research based on repeated surveys would be required to look into long-term impact of participation in certified organic production in smallholder production systems.