The Relationship between Small Scale Farmers’ Attitude towards Maize Farming and Maize Yield in the Agricultural Reform Era: The Case of Western Region of Kenya

Statement of the problem: The introduction of Structural Adjustment Programmes (SAPs) and trade
liberalisation resulted in agricultural reforms in Kenya and other developing countries. Hence the
Kenya government no longer gives incentives to small scale farmers. This may have affected the
attitude of small scale farmers’ towards maize farming and hence maize yield.
Study Purpose: The study was concerned about maize production in Western Region of Kenya
because maize is the main staple for most of the Kenyan population and Western Region is the food
basket.
Research Design: The study used Ex-post facto research design via cross sectional survey.
Materials and Methods: Busia, Bungoma, Mt. Elgon and Lugari Counties were purposively selected
to represent the Western Region of Kenya. Two sub-counties from each of the four Counties were
selected by simple random sampling. For uniformity purposes 200 small scale farmers were selected
from focal areas through systematic random sampling hence ensuring that they all had been exposed
to extension staff. Four key informants were sampled purposefully based on their positions of
authority. In addition, 52 extension staffs were sampled through systematic random sampling. The
small scale farmers were interviewed with the help of interview schedule containing open and closed
ended questions. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.
Results: The study revealed that attitude towards maize farming correlated maximally to maize yield
and that farmers’ attitude towards maize farming contributed to 17.4% of the variance in maize yield.
Conclusion: This means that the extension staff and change agents should improve the attitude of
the farmers in order to improve maize yield.
Recommendation: The study recommended that the extension staff should teach the small scale
farmers on the changes that have been brought about by Structural Adjustment Programmes and
market liberalisation and how to take advantage of such opportunities such as form strong common
interest groups. Research should develop innovations that would result in high maize yield at low
farming costs.