Nonfarm Work and Fertilizer Use Among Smallholder Farmers in Kenya: A Cross-Crop Comparison

Melinda Smale (), Mary K. Mathenge and Joseph Opiyo

No 206441, Working Papers from Egerton University, Tegemeo Institute of Agricultural Policy and Development

Abstract: We use panel data from a sample of smallholder farmers in Kenya to test how the effects of nonfarm earnings on demand for fertilizer vary across different crops, namely: a major food staple (maize), an emerging cash crop (vegetables), and a traditional export crop (tea). We find that, holding other factors constant, nonfarm earnings from either business or salaried work detract from fertilizer application rates on maize and vegetables. While nonfarm salaried earnings appear to have no effect, business income positively affects fertilizer use and application rates on tea. Results suggest competition for household resources between farm and nonfarm sectors among growers of Kenya’s main staple and emerging cash crops, but possible complementarity among tea growers, who farm a traditional perennial export crop with longer planning horizons.

Keywords: Agricultural and Food Policy; International Development (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 31
Date: 2015-08-18
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-agr and nep-dev
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ags:egtewp:206441

DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.206441

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