The economics and gender factor in soya bean production and profitability in Kenya: a case of smallholder farms in Western Kenya

Abstract

Soya-bean is among world’s major crops, cultivated for its high oil, proteins content and its ability in soil-fertility amendments. The study assessed the determinants, constraints and profitability/gross-margins of soya-bean production in Western Kenya. Multistage sampling technique and field surveys were used in data-collection process covering 370 households. Regression, gender, profitability and gross-margins were the analyses done. Results indicated gross-margins of soya-bean production within the study sites differed significantly from zero (KES 13,401-20,545); it was profitable because net profits ranged from KES 9243–13,548 for 2010. All gender-cadres shared in soya-bean production activities (5.0–18.0%). The mean technical-, allocative- and economic-efficiencies obtained were 0.78, 65 and 0.59 respectively. Smallholders/farmers’ economic-inefficiencies arose from many negativelysigned and statistically significant factors/coefficients with p-values of 0.0000– 0.0240. Increased use of these factors and county governments and other stakeholders’ interventions would positively impact smallholders’ efficiency resulting into higher output and profitability.