Investigation of Market Factors Influencing Commercialization of Indigenous Chicken Farming by Small Scale Farmers in Kericho County, Kenya

Indigenous chicken commercialization is crucial in ensuring increased productivity hence increased food security and income of rural people. Poultry products are an essential component of diets in both rural and urban centers. However, the production has remained subsistence in nature, characterized by low productivity. The commercialization provides major opportunities for increased production and incomes for smallholder farmers and plays a role in poverty reduction. Despite the high demand for indigenous chicken in urban areas because of leanness and good taste, very few farmers consider it as a commercial enterprise. The purpose of this study was to investigate market factors influencing commercialization of indigenous chicken farming by small scale farmers in Kericho County, Kenya. Descriptive research design was used to analyze the factors that influence commercialization of indigenous chicken farming. The target populations were 800 indigenous chicken farmers from 46 groups and 15 key informants. Stratified and simple random sampling technique was used to select a sample of 127 indigenous chicken farmers. Additionally, all the 15 key informants were interviewed and a focus group discussion conducted from randomly selected target groups. Data was collected using both interview schedules, questionnaires and focused group discussion guide. Data was analyzed using frequencies, percentages and chi-square and presented in tables, bar charts and graphs. Hypotheses were tested at 95 % level of confidence. The descriptive statistics results of the findings show that most farmers were accessible to the market but had limited access to market information. The sales volumes of live chicken and eggs per year by each farmer were low as compared to the high demand indicated by most farmers. The prices of live chicken and eggs were equally low with most farmers indicating that they determined the price of live chicken by physical observation. The chi square test results show a p value of 0.019 for market factors. Clearly, this study has demonstrated that markets factors significantly influence commercialization of indigenous chicken farming in Kericho County, Kenya. The study recommends use of ICT to complement other extension methods in technology dissemination, establishment of marketing platforms and networks for information sharing as well as training farmers on market driven production and effective price determination