EFFECT OF THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY ON AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY: A CASE OF TANA RIVER COUNTY IN KENYA

Abstract

Purpose: The general objective of the study was to establish the effect of the Agricultural Sector Development Strategy on agricultural productivity in Tana River County.Methodology: This study employed descriptive survey design since it is an efficient method of collecting data as it involved studying large and small population. It targeted the sixty eight (68) technical staff members in the agriculture sector in Tana River County as its population. A census was used since the population was small. The study utilised questionnaires with both open and close ended questions for collection of data where the drop and pick method was used to administer the same.Results: The study found that climate change response, agribusiness and market access, agricultural extension services and access to agricultural credit positively and significantly influences agricultural productivity.Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The study recommended that Tana River County should implement agricultural extension services by ensuring there is enough staff in the county who are regularly capacity building so as to improve the agricultural productivity of the county.