Diversification Drivers from Livestock to Maize Farming Among Maasai Households in Transmara West Sub-county, Narok County, Kenya

Abstract

The Maasai community has traditionally been livestock farmers. In southeastern Kenya, particularly Narok County, they have increasingly embraced maize farming as a diversification of their livelihoods. This shift is evident in Narok, where livestock numbers declined significantly from 6,068,350 head in 2019 to 3,883,350 in 2021, while maize production rose from 171,000 to 200,000 metric tons, indicating a notable change in agricultural practices and priorities. The study examined the drivers of this diversification, aiming to determine the socio-economic characteristics of farmers who transitioned from livestock to maize farming, assess the factors influencing this shift, and evaluate its socio-economic effects in Narok County. The research employed the Diffusion of Innovation theory to outline the process of diversification among the Maasai community. A descriptive research design was employed, targeting 6,695 small-scale maize farmers. The study specifically focused on maize farmers due to the crop’s central role in household food security and its widespread cultivation in the study area, making it suitable for examining the variables of interest. Livestock farmers were not included in the target population, and the rationale for this selection is elaborated in the methodology section. The Yamane formula determined a sample size of 99 farmers. Data collection involved both structured and unstructured questionnaires for quantitative and qualitative data, complemented by key informants, including six area chiefs, six agricultural extension officers, and six community elders selected purposively for in-depth insights. Qualitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, while Chi-square, ANOVA, and regression analysis examined relationships between variables. Findings showed that farmers aged 35-40 years (57.6%), males (71.7%), and those with secondary education (44.4%) were most associated with diversification. Factors influencing this shift included labor (β= .60, P= .024), farm inputs (β= .77, P= .039), credit access (β= .97, P= .003), market access (β= .904, P= .001), and disintegration of communal land systems (β= .008, P= .048). Economically, diversification resulted in higher market prices (43%), market reliability (33.7%), and substantial maize market returns (23.3%). Socially, it improved access to sufficient food (39.6%), dietary supplementation (36.8%), and increased employment opportunities (23.6%). The study concluded that cattle numbers in Narok have steadily declined while maize output has increased. It is recommended that the county government provide farmers with information on new crop diversification trends, such as Hass avocado, and establish mentorship programs for small-scale maize farmers.