Investigating Farmer’s Participation in Value–Added Activities in Rural Kenya: Case of Kapkamak-Kabonon Irrigation Project in Arror Ward, Elgeyo Marakwet County

Abstract

For a long time, agriculture has received little attention exemplified by only 4% of development assistance. Yet an important agriculture method such as value-added agriculture has drawn the attention of different stakeholders (including the government, farmers, NGOs, commercial entities) interested in maximizing the potential of farming operations and strengthening rural communities. This study sought to investigate valueadded agriculture, including the extent to which food growers consider, or are involved in KapkamakKabonon Irrigation Project in Arror Ward. The study was conducted in September 2017 using data and response from 41 questionnaires returned from the field survey. The findings show that even though farmers at scheme grow products that add value to food production, there is no attempt of processing them. Some of the barriers experienced at the scheme manifest itself in the form of added expenses, lack of time, knowledge, and markets, on value-added products. The study recommends that there is need for both national and county governments to support the farmers through training, financial support in order to improve the current farming situation. This study only utilized data from a limited number of project’s database and future studies can be broaden the scope to gather from the farmers themselves or even other rural irrigation projects along Kerio Valley.