Journal of Agriculture
and Environmental Sciences

Financial Benefit-cost Analysis of Terraces in Maize-pigeon pea Intercrop in Semi-arid Areas of Kenya.
Stella J Matere, Oliver L E Mbatia, Jonathan M Nzuma, Sospeter O Nyamwaro

Abstract
Farming households depending on rain-fed agriculture in semi-arid lands of Kenya have been adversely affected by climate change. Many impacts such as increased land degradation and soil erosion, changes in water availability, reduced farm productivity need be addressed. Fanya juu terraces have been promoted for soil and water conservation and as an adaptation strategy to climate change in semi-arid lands of South Eastern Kenya; however, the efficiency and profitability of the terraces has not been explored. Survey data to determine the efficiency of terraces was gathered from Machakos, Makindu and Mutomo Sub-counties. The net present value, internal rate of return and benefit to cost ratios were used to estimate the efficiency of fanya juu terraces in maize and pigeon pea production. The results show that adoption of fanya juu terraces as an adaptation strategy is feasible. The study recommends policy interventions that increase farmers’ adoption of fanya juu terraces through improved access to agricultural extension services and credit facilities. Improvement of market environment is also required as an incentive to adopt the adaptation strategies whose yields could have easy access to a functioning market to enable generation of maximum farm revenue for sustainable operation and maintenance of farm activities.

Full Text: PDF     DOI: 10.15640/jaes.v5n1a14