Factors affecting sweetpotato production and soil fertility challenges among smallholder farmers in Kenya

Sweetpotato (Ipomea batatas) is an important food crop in Kenya, but farmers experience low production and thus their food and income security is threatened. This study was done to document factors affecting sweetpotato production and soil fertility challenges in Kenya. A survey was carried out between 21st January 2016 to 13th February 2016 in Kakamega and Elgeiyo Marakwet Counties in Kenya using structured interviews and observations. The features factored in the study were demographic factors, ranking of crops, access to agricultural information, soil fertility challenges and strategies used by the farmers to overcome these constraints. Results indicate that women are the predominant (55.9 %) sweetpotato growers. Majority of the farmers (54.6 %) had attained primary education. Individual land ownership was the norm (76.3 %) with most farms owing 1.0 to 3.0 acres (0.3 - 1.1 ha). Sweetpotato was ranked as the third most important (48.0 %) crop. Many farmers (61.2.0 %) get planting material from other farmers. High cost of fertilisers and low soil fertility in addition to soil erosion were the major soil fertility challenges experienced by sweetpotato growing farmers in west Kenya. Rotational cropping, intercropping and use of animal manure were among the strategies undertaken by the farmers to improve soil fertility. The study used OLS regression to determine the level of productivity per acre. Diagnostic test before regression analysis was carried out. The statistic F (6, 143) = 12.18 ( p < 0.05) indicated that factors which include agro-ecological zone, access to agricultural information, sweetpotato variety and use of fertilizer explained 31 per cent variation in productivity levels per acre. The OLS results indicate that the base level productivity is approximately 38 bags per acre with other significant factors being the sweetpotato variety, agro ecological zone, access to agricultural information and use of fertiliser (organic/ inorganic). It can be concluded that the low level of education among the smallholder farmers necessitates simpler ways of disseminating agricultural information. Training on use of fertilisers should be given priority to avoid continuous cropping without mineral replenishment.