Potential of horizontal integration of the cashew value chain in the coastal region of Kenya

B.Sc. Winifred Okpo

Master's thesis

Abstract:

Using a cross-sectional farm level data from 263 cashew farmers, this study analyses the potential for the development of farmers groups in the cashew value chain in the coastal region of Kenya. It uses logistic regression and the theory of planned behaviour to analyse farmers inherent characteristics and external factors believed to affect farmers decisions to join producers groups. The results indicate that more than 50% of the farmers expressed their willingness to participate in producers group membership. The most influential factors of farmers’ willingness to join producer groups are gender, number of cashew trees per farm, total harvest of cashew, direct sales to market and the level of active participation. The results of theory of planned behaviour illustrate important behavioural effects, such as conflict resolution, access to market and labour availability affect farmers’ willingness to join producer groups. In addition, influence of the family as one of the normative beliefs significantly influenced the decision of farm families to join producers groups. We also found that control beliefs, such as government supports, subsidies, and access to extension services significantly influenced the decision of farmers to join collective action.

Keywords

Willingness to join, Factors of group formation, Farmers’ decisions, Producers’ group

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 14. 5. 2020

Thesis defence

• Supervisor: Ing. Jiří Hejkrlík, Ph.D.

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences

Master programme / field:
Tropical Agriculture / Sustainable Rural Development in the Tropics and Subtropics