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Periodical article | Leiden University catalogue | WorldCat |
Title: | Determinants of Fertilizer Use on Smallholder Coffee and Maize in Murang'a District, Kenya |
Authors: | Kimuyu, P.K. Jama, M.A. Muturi, W.M. |
Year: | 1991 |
Periodical: | Eastern Africa Economic Review |
Volume: | 7 |
Issue: | 1 |
Pages: | 45-49 |
Language: | English |
Geographic term: | Kenya |
Subjects: | small farms fertilizers maize coffee Agriculture, Natural Resources and the Environment Development and Technology Economics and Trade |
Abstract: | Although smallholders in Kenya began applying chemical fertilizers in the 1960s, their levels of application are still very low relative to recommendations. The present study delineates the primary determinants of fertilizer application on smallholder coffee and maize as a first step in developing strategies for promoting increased fertilizer application. Applying econometric methods on farm-level data obtained from a sample of locationally based smallholder clusters from Kandara Division, Murang'a District, in early 1989, the authors found that fertilizer application on both crops is primarily influenced by producer prices, fertilizer prices and credit availability. These findings concur with those from other similar farm-level studies. On that account, increased smallholder fertilizer application will require producer price support, minimization of delivered fertilizer costs, as well as development of sustainable smallholder credit lines. Bibliogr., notes, ref., sum. |