Socio-Economic Factors Influencing Rice Farmers' Participation in Group Production at Mussa Nntnjanga Irrigation Scheme

Abstract

The study attempted to analyze socioeconomic factors influencing rice farmers' participation in group production at Mussa Mwinjanga Irrigation Scheme. The specific objectives of this study were to examine the influence of farmers' education level in relation to group production, determine the influence of household's income level in relation to group production and establish the influence of farm size in relation to farmer's participation in group production. Quantitative research design was adopted of which survey approach was employed. Stratified and simple random sampling techniques were used to select two strata with the sample size of 106 comprising 80 and 46 members and nonmembers of rice farmers, respectively. The study used primary and secondary data. Data were analyzed using Probit and Tobit regression, Pearson correlation coefficient, Chi-square and descriptive statistics under the aid of Statistical Package of Social Sciences. The findings revealed that, for Tobit regression, farmer's educational level positively influenced the participation decision to rice group production. Probit regression results revealed that off-farm income, access to credit, and keeping farm records influenced farmers' decision to participate in group production. Descriptive statistics showed that farmers' farm size influenced participation decision to group production. The study concluded that level of education, income status and farm size were significantly related with level of participation. The study recommends that continuity of the scheme without misplacing its priority is paramount.