Effect of socio-economic and institutional factors on common bean commercialization among smallholder farmers in Chepalungu sub-county, Bomet County, Kenya

Smallholder common bean commercialization is a critical factor for rural development as it provides a pathway for improving productivity, food security and alleviating poverty. However, common bean sector is dominated by subsistence farming which is not economically efficient as the level of commercialization is low at 0.4. Therefore, the study intended to determine the effect of socio-economic and institutional factors on common bean commercialization in Chepalungu sub-county, Bomet county. The study utilized cluster sampling procedure to obtain a sample size of 313 and data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and Tobit regression model were utilized to analyze the data through SPSS version 29 and Stata version 15 software. The average level of common bean commercialization was 0.39 indicating a low level of input and output market participation. The model showed that market distance and access to extension services were significant at 1% and positively influenced common bean commercialization among smallholder farmers while marketing experience and total land size were significant at 5% and positively influenced common bean commercialization. Age was significant at 1% and negatively influenced common bean commercialization. Strategies need to be developed to improve farmers’ market participation in input and output markets based on these variables. Youth need to be involved more on common bean production and marketing and the county government can provide training and extension services to farmers to increase level of productivity and commercialization.