FACTORS INFLUENCING COMMERCIALIZATION OF SMALLHOLDER FARMING IN KENYA

This study looked at the factors determining commercialization of smallholder farming in Kenya. The household characteristics were captured by gender head, labour size, age head and education level head. On other hand, farm size application irrigation. intervening variables access to transport, income from non – activities livestock sales. used cross-sectional data based on surveyed 2011 Kenya Agricultural Productivity Agribusiness Program. Probit model was empirical analysis. results show that likelihood small holder commercialisation statistically increases with irrigation, increase force land under farming. control variables, agricultural credit, transport facilities, use improved seeds, presence non-farm income, extension services all found positively significantly influence Based findings study, recommends need both national county governments invest empowering farmers through provision irrigation infrastructure. Further given is core influencing Kenya, there for relooking tenure system a view having putting cap minimum acreage prevent high fragmentation which would adversely affect production ultimately services, size. positive association market participation suggests are complementary. may point existence credit constraints off-farm serving relieve this constraint. Being female associated negative effect commercialization. These supportive current policy expand investments improve rural infrastructure especially County calls development coherent Keyword: Household Characteristics, Farm Level Transport, Income Non-Farm Activities, Livestock Sales CITATION: Waweru, O. W., & Olweny, T. (2023). Factors . Strategic Journal Business Change Management, 10 (2), 1227 1248.