An analysis of socioeconomic factors affecting avocado production around Lake Victoria Basin of Kenya with special emphasis on flooding and its implications

Abstract

Climate change which is caused by global warming has become a very important aspect of agricultural production in the world. Some of the impacts of climate change are rising temperatures, droughts, flooding and intense winds. In sub-Saharan Africa these impacts have become increasingly devastating to Agriculture and food security situation as the impacts increase in magnitude and frequency. Avocado (Persia americana) is a very important world crop due to its nutritional and health importance. In Kenya it has become a very important crop but its production is limited by flooding among other factors. Studies were conducted in the Lake Victoria Basin Counties of Busia (Bunyala), Muhoroni, Nyando and Rachuonyo to investigate the socioeconomic factors and flooding on Avocado production. Questionnaires, focus group discussions, key informants’ interviews and desktop reviews were used to collect. Data collected were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Scientists, outputs such as frequencies, percentages etc were interpreted and reported in this paper. The objectives were to find how flooding, human capital and other socioeconomic factors such as gender, age, farmer education affect Avocado production in the five sub- Counties of Rachuonyo, Nyando Muhoroni, Bunyala, and Samia. The results showed that human capital affected all decisions of Avocado production in input purchase, rootstock selection, establishment, harvesting and marketing. It is concluded that in flooded areas in these Counties, Avocado production is affected by root diseases (Phytophthora cinnamon). In all aspects human capital, farmer education, extension services contribute to farmer’s abilities to adopt new technologies for increased crop productivity.