Determinants of Pineapple Market Supply in Bureti Sub County, Kericho County, Kenya

Abstract

Supply of agricultural produce is directly influenced by production and productivity. Therefore factors that affect agricultural production also affect supply. This study analyses the determinants of pineapple market supply in Bureti Sub County, Kericho County, Kenya. Multi stage sampling was used to select 133 farmers for the study using structured interview schedules. This was supplemented by secondary data collected using content analysis from different published and unpublished sources. Econometric analysis using Ordinary Least Square (OLS) was used to analyse the collected data. Results of the findings revealed that area of land under pineapples and quantity of pineapple produced affected the quantities of pineapples supplied to the market significantly and positively at (p ˂ 0.01) by a factor of (r = 0.908) and (r = 0.667) respectively. The other factors that affected quantities supplied to the market positively at (p ˂ 0.05) were years in pineapple production (r = 0.296), education level (r = 0.204), total land holding (r = 0.284) and price at the nearest market(r = 0.305). Production seasonality and distance to the nearest market affected quantities supplied to the market at (p ˂ 0.1) by a factor of (r = - 0.371) and (r = 0.448) respectively. Based on the findings the study concludes that factors that affect market supply can either be positive or negative thus results into an increase or a reduction in the quantities supplied to the market. The study therefore recommends training of farmers on modern production techniques, input usage and marketing. It further recommends introduction of new high yielding pineapple varieties like MD2 and improvement of rural roads.