Implementation of tissue culture banana projects in Kenya: the Nexus between Technology and Socio-economic Gains

A paper presentation at the 3rd East African Multidisciplinary Research Conference (EAMARC III) held at the United States International University- Africa, 15th -17th November, 2016.The purpose of the study was to evaluate the socio-economic gains from Tissue Culture Banana technology among smallholder farming households in Kisii County, Kenya. Tissue Culture Banana (TCB) technology refers to the production of plants from very small plant parts, tissues or cells grown aseptically under laboratory conditions where the environment and nutrition are rigidly controlled (ISAAA, 2003). Kisii highlands, by 2000, were leading producing national farmer average of 12t/ha against a potential of 60t/ha (Kwach, Makworo, Nasambu, & Onyango, 2000). The low average production is due to adoption of poor yielding cultivars, infestation of diseases and pests, poor farming methods and lack of clean planting materials. To enhance uptake of TCB technology among the resource poor smallholder farmers, a credit scheme using a group based lending approach was adopted under the auspices of K-Rep Development Agency, an established micro-finance institution in Kenya. Technology is vital for production and its demerits compared to benefits are insignificant (Alston et al., 1995). Its adoption has been part of the agenda in international forums with studies showing significant influences of technology on the socio-economic welfare of adopters (Andrea et al., 2009; FAO, 2009; Qaim, 1999). Gaps still exist in quantifying the importance of the fruit in Kenya and controversies about the influence of TCBs in smallholder farming persist with most of the existing studies done before the completion of the 10-year life cycle of bananas envisaged in tropical regions. The question as to whether the technology has had socio-economic gains on participating households has remained unresolved thus this survey contributes to previous ex-ante studies by providing comprehensive survey data