Gender and age analysis on factors influencing output market access by smallholder farmers in Machakos County, Kenya

Abstract

Output markets are key prerequisite for enhancing agriculture-based economic growth and increasing rural incomes. However majority of smallholder farmers rarely access output markets. The study determined factors influencing smallholder farmers in Yatta district to access output market based on data collected from 160 households. The data was disaggregated in terms of gender and age and analyzed using SPSS and STATA version 10. Descriptive results revealed a gender and age disparity in accessing output market. Tobit model result indicated that households with access to extension, credit, land, own means of transport, and are members in groups are more likely to access output market. Nevertheless access to output market was reduced by enterprise diversification, higher education level, household size, age and marital status of household head. To enable farmers to access output market, there is need for policies that promote group membership, improve physical infrastructure, and facilitate access to credit (for example free interest loan) as well as extension services especially to women and youths.