An Assessment of Economic Profitability of Small Scale Farm Enterprises in Trans-Nzoia County, Kenya

Abstract

The research set out to make an economic analysis of the small scale farm enterprises in Trans-Nzoia County with a view to determining the enterprise with the highest profit that would contribute to sustainable livelihood for the people in the County. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design in which interviews and questionnaires were used to collect data from the Agricultural Officer at the Trans-Nzoia County headquarters, the extension staff and selected farmers. A total of 357 respondents were selected using simple cluster sampling technique. The study employed regression model with a view to ascertain which of the farm enterprises would be appropriate in improving the farmer‟s livelihoods. Computation of the profitability revealed that maize growing is more profitable than beans. It is concluded that maize has higher economic returns per acre than beans, thus, if grown in large quantities, beans could equally be profitable. It is recommended that the government should formulate a food security strategy and incorporate low-cost, sustainable technologies which build on the resources, production capacities and innate potential of the small scale farmers.