Research Article
Determinants of Maize Production and Its Supply Response
in Kenya
Allan Nyakora Masese ,
1
Lucia Mary Mbithi,
2
Niraj Prakash Joshi ,
3,4,5,6
and Samson Masese Machuka
7,8
1
Research Institute of Economics and Management (RIEM), Southwestern University of Finance and Economics,
55 uanghuacun Street, Chengdu 610074, China
2
School of Economics, University of Nairobi, P. O. Box 30197, PO, Nairobi, Kenya
3
Center for Peaceful and Sustainable Futures, Te IDEC Institute, Hiroshima University, Higashihiroshima, Japan
4
International Economic Development Program, raduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences,
Hiroshima University, Higashihiroshima, Japan
5
TAOYAKA Program, Hiroshima University, Higashihiroshima, Japan
6
raduate School of Innovation and Practice for Smart Society, Hiroshima University, IDEC 211, 1•5•1 Kagamiyama,
Higashi•Hiroshima Shi, Hiroshima 739•8529, Japan
7
Africa Nazarene University, Nairobi, Kenya
8
Monitoring and Evaluation Department, State Department for Planning, P. O. Box 30005•00100, Nairobi, Kenya
Correspondence should be addressed to Allan Nyakora Masese; maseseallan@gmail.com
Received 9 April 2022; Revised 16 August 2022; Accepted 21 September 2022; Published 10 November 2022
Academic Editor: David Clay
Copyright © 2022 Allan Nyakora Masese et al. Tis is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution
License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly
cited.
Maize (Zea mays L.) is an essential crop in Kenya and its production has a direct implication on food and economic security.
However, in Kenya, there is a gap between what is being produced and what is being consumed. Tis gap is growing and, hence,
remains a policy concern. Under this backdrop, this study aimed to estimate thecombined contribution of maize area harvested,
expenditure on fertilizers,number of tractors used, and maize seed quantity to national maize productionin Kenya using the
Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) and Nerlove Model. Te fndings indicate that maize production in Kenya is negatively
associated with maize area harvested, expenditure on fertilizers, and the number of tractors used. However, there is a positive
relationship between maize production and maize seed quantity. Te response of maize production depicted that the price of
maize in the previous period determined the production levels in the current period positively; however, as we move further away,
the price level in the fourth period depicted a negative relationship. Tis study recommended that the government provide an
adequate quantity of maize seeds to boost maize production. It also recommended that farmers be educated on the proper use of
fertilizers and the optimum use of tractors and land. Furthermore, the government needs to ensure a favorable and stable price for
farmers to contribute to increased maize production.
1. Introduction
Te Kenyan government is committed to attaining a food
secure, healthy, productive, and wealthy nation that assures
its citizens the right to be free from hunger and to have
adequate food of acceptable quality [1]. Te maize sub•
sector signifcantly contributes to Kenya’s economy
through foreign exchange earnings, a source of family
income, employment creation, and food security. As a re•
sult, Kenya appears on the list of African countries with the
highest consumption of maize. However, there is a negative
relationship between maize production and consumption
trends in Kenya. Over the years, maize production has
revealed a declining trend, whereas consumption has in•
creased. For instance, in 2017, 2016, and 2015, maize
consumption was seen to be 4.55, 3.85, and 4.15 million
Hindawi
International Journal of Agronomy
Volume 2022, Article ID 2597283, 8 pages
https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/2597283