Introduction
Agriculture is the backbone of Kenya’s economy, providing food security, employment, and income for a majority of households. To better understand farming performance and decision-making, a crop dataset was developed to capture details of crop types, regional distribution, input use, production costs, and financial outcomes. This analysis provides insights into profitability, seasonal trends, and farming practices that influence outcomes across counties.
Dataset Description
The dataset contains records of farmers across multiple counties, covering both staple and cash crops. Each record captures not only the agronomic aspects of farming (crop type, soil, irrigation, fertiliser, pest control) but also financial metrics (revenue, costs, profits). The dataset also integrates time elements such as planting and harvest dates to allow seasonal trend analysis.
Key Variables
Farmer Information: Farmer name, county, region, farmer contact.
Crops: Crop type (maize, beans, coffee, tea, tomatoes, etc.), crop variety (hybrid, local, organic).
Production Factors: Land area (acres), soil type, irrigation method, fertiliser use, pest control.
Financials: Yield (kg), market price (Kes/kg), revenue, cost of production, profit.
Environmental Conditions: Season, weather impact.
Derived Categories: Revenue category (high/low), profitability category, profit category, revenue-profit classification.
Applications of the Data
Policy-making: Guiding county governments in allocating support (seeds, fertilisers, irrigation).
Farmer decision-making: Identifying profitable crops and efficient farming practices.
Market analysis: Understanding revenue patterns and price influences across seasons.
Research: Studying the relationship between environmental factors and agricultural output.
Extension services: Identifying where training and inputs can increase productivity.
Trends and Insights
Profit: Sorghum,Potatoes and rice recorded highest profits followed by cassava while beans and maiza with the least profit.
Seasonality:Total profit peaked during harvest March, with september lowest.
Farmer Participation: Coffee and potatoes had the highest numbers of farmers across countries while sorghum and beans least farmers paticipated in cultivating it.
Regional Yields: Nairobi and Nyeri recorded the highest yields and land areas. Kiambu showed efficiency in tomato farming.
Environmental Influence: Droughts significantly reduced maize and bean yields, while cassava and sorghum proved more resilient.
Input Use: Hybrid varieties, drip irrigation, and fertiliser application were strongly associated with higher yields and profitability.
Limitations
Some records had N/A values for crop type, soil type, or irrigation method, limiting completeness.
The dataset does not capture labour details, which may affect true cost of production.
Prices are assumed constant per county, yet in practice, they vary by market and time.
The dataset is limited to listed counties and may not fully represent all regions of Kenya.
Recommendations
Promote Climate-Smart Agriculture
Encourage practices such as crop diversification, conservation farming, and soil fertility management to reduce climate-related risks and stabilize yields.
Invest in Irrigation and Water Management
Expand access to affordable irrigation technologies and water-harvesting methods to reduce dependency on unpredictable rainfall.
Support Adoption of Hybrid and Improved Seed Varieties
Facilitate access to certified hybrid seeds that enhance yields and resilience against pests, diseases, and adverse weather conditions.
Enhance Farmer Training and Extension Services
Strengthen agricultural extension programs to build farmers’ capacity in cost management, modern input use, post-harvest handling, and market linkages.
Encourage Value Addition and Market Access
Develop agro-processing and cooperative marketing structures to improve profitability of staple crops and reduce reliance on middlemen.
Design Targeted Policies and Subsidies
Formulate policies that lower the cost of key inputs (fertilizers, pesticides, and improved seeds) and provide incentives for sustainable farming practices.
Leverage Data for Decision-Making
Institutionalize the use of agricultural datasets in government and development programs to guide investments, monitor trends, and track farmer progress.
Promote Financial Access and Risk Management
Enhance farmers’ access to affordable credit, crop insurance, and digital financial tools to manage risks and invest in productivity.
Conclusion
The dataset analysis highlights that crop type, input use, and weather conditions have a greater influence on profitability than land size alone. While cash crops such as coffee, tea, and potatoes dominate profits, staple crops like maize and beans remain vital for household consumption but face profitability challenges. Seasonal and regional trends show opportunities for improving food security and incomes through climate-smart agriculture, efficient irrigation, hybrid seed adoption, and cost management strategies. With further refinement, the dataset can be a powerful tool for policy planning, farmer training, and agricultural investment decisions.
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