Factors influencing income of smallholder tea producers in Chinga division, Nyeri South district, Nyeri county, Kenya.

Abstract

Agriculture influences the social, economic and political development of man over the years . .: The purpose of the study was to examine the challenges influencing tea income of small holder farmers in Chinga Division of Nyeri South District. The objectives of the study were: To examine how drought and frost influences tea income of the smallholder tea producer in Chinga Division, to establish the extent to which cost of energy influences tea income of the smallholder tea producer in Chinga Division, to assess the extent to which farm management practices influences tea income of the smallholder tea producer in Chinga Division and to determine how value addition influences tea income of the smallholder tea producer in Chinga Division. The study used a descriptive survey design. Smallholder tea farmers and staff of Chinga Tea Factory Company in Nyeri South District were included in the study.

Systematic random sampling was used to select 186 smallholder tea producers and simple random to select 14 staff members of Chinga Tea Factory Company. Questionnaires were used to collect data from smallholder tea producers and staff while secondary data was collected from factory data. Statistical Package for Social Sciences was used to analyze the data and the results presented using bar charts, tables, graphs, averages and percentages. From the findings, it was clear that that the factory had establishing tree nursery to improve the entire environment targeting an average of 80, 000 and above within January and February of 2012. The factory regulates farm management practices at a great extent where tea within the company had geographical indication mark.

The study further established that the company used electricity as fuel and that deduction of cost in energy affect cost of production too highly. On the same the study established that the factory engaged in planting tree seedlings on free land in order to improve the entire environment. On farm management practices, the study found that factory offered training to the farmers where farmers benefited by the training by gain practical knowledge and increased tea production by 0.4 - 0.7 of total previous production, this was as a result of Apply fertilizers, mulching and manure adequately which was mainly provided by the KTDA. It is recommended that for farmers not to encounter huge losses during the drought and frost sessions, they should observe instructions given from the company and grow plants that are resistant to drought and frost. The outcome of this study will be important to farmers, marketers, field officers and other stakeholders.