THE EVALUATION OF IRISH POTATO PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES AMONG FARMERS OF MARAKWET WEST, ELGEYO MARAKWET COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L) is a major food and cash crop in the Kenyan highlands like Elgeyo Marakwet county. It is widely grown by smallholder farmers and it contribute to food security, rural employment, and household income. Despite the crop potential, productivity remains low due to limited access to improved technologies, poor seed quality, pests and diseases and inadequate market linkages. A survey was conducted in Moiben/ Kuserwo, Cherang’any/ Chebororwa, Lelan and Kapsowar ward in Marakwet West SubCounty. The study evaluates potato production technologies among farmers in Marakwet West Sub-County, Elgeyo Marakwet County, Kenya. The specific objectives were to:(i) describe socioeconomic characteristics of potato farmers, (ii) identify potato production practices and technologies used, (iii) assess the perception of farmers on suitability of potato varieties adopted and, (iv) assess the extent to which potato production technologies affect yield. The study employed a descriptive research design using structured questionnaires, interview schedules, and field observations. Data was collected from a sample of 173 selected potato farmers and analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The results showed that 62% of the farmers were male, aged 41-50 years, had potato growing experience of less than 5 years, attained secondary level of education, were members of Cooperative society and operating on land size of below 5 acres. Besides, most farmers were not trained in potato production technologies, but were implementing the technologies. Moreover, the household head determined the decision on to the application of the technology. While improved technologies such as certified seed use, fertilizer, and pest and disease management among others were known, adoption remained partial due to high input costs, and weak extension support. It was also established that, farmers were not using the certified seed but instead they majorly sourced seeds from other farms. This is because the seeds were either not available to them, expensive, or lacked information about them. From this study, it was also concluded that, Shangi potato variety was grown by majority of the farmers in the region because of its first maturity rate, it is of high yield, and good market demand. Tigoni, Asante and Kerr’s Pink were potato varieties grown by very small group of farmers (5%). In the regression model, it is shown that the model is significant at 5% level. This indicates that the independent variables predict the dependent variable. The R Square is 0.312, meaning that 31.2% of the variance in the yield of potato is explained by education, gender, visit by extension, technology implementation and others. From the study only few variables were run hence the low R square. The study recommends enhancing extension services, improving access to affordable inputs and, promoting farmer preferred sustainable technologies. These measures would increase productivity, strengthen household incomes and contribute to food security.