Farmers’ Demonstrate Rationality and Transitivity in Variety Choice: Empirical Evidence From two Rice Growing Niches in Coastal Kenya.

Purpose: A cross-sectional survey was designed to study farmers’ preference and choice framework for rice varieties in Kwale and Taita-Taveta counties of coastal lowland Kenya. Methodology: The survey used a multi-stage sampling technique; systematic selection for the study counties/niches, a purposive sampling approach for the study population (rice growers only) and a systematic random sampling for the respondents on an nth occurrence. Data was collected with the aid of a semi-structured questionnaire and key informant interviews from key rice value chain actors; including farmers as producers as well as consumers and agricultural extension service providers (AESPs) and other stakeholders. A total of 137 individual respondents were interviewed using the semi-structured questionnaire while the key informant interviews engaged a total of 29 AESPs. Data analysis focused on exploring on the varieties that farmers grew and whether they had a criteria or pattern for choosing the varieties to grow and seed source. Findings: Results confirmed that the Kwale rice growing niche had a higher rice variety diversity (more than 12 varieties) while Taita-Taveta had only around seven (7) common varieties. Rice was more traditionally grown in Kwale with low acreage and low yields compared to Taita-Taveta. Common varieties grown were Pachanga, Supa, Kitumbo, Makonde and Kibawa in Kwale while in Taita-Taveta, Japan, Supa and Hybrid 6444 rice varieties were common (with prevalence rating of 44.8%, 25.4%, 22.4%, 20.9 and 17.9% in Kwale respectively and 55.7%, 54.3% and 18.6% in Taita-Taveta respectively). Varieties grown by farmers in Kwale had a long history of seed recycling and were characterized by low productivity (less than 6, 90-kg bags per acre) and subsistent in nature than in Taita-Taveta. The general picture for variety prevalence in both (Kwale and Taita) growing niches was that farmers mostly relied on traditional (own-preserved, farmer-to-farmer exchange or market) seed systems for the recycled rice varieties.  Variety choice by farmers who are both producers and consumers demonstrated a rational and transitive behavior with land resource allocation. Contribution to theory, practice and policy:  The study provided evidence of an urgent need for strategic interventions towards improving the production system through on-farm researcher-led demonstrations for superior rice varieties, agronomic practices as well as an input subsidy and sustainable market linkages. Formation of farmer producer groups and strategic facilitation of the groups with rice certified seed and mills are proposed as positive drivers to improving rice marketing and increased productivity.