Abstract
The study analysed the factors affecting the choice of alternative crop enterprises among smallholder tobacco farmers in Teso district, Kenya, using Multinomial logit model. Data used for the study were obtained from primary sources through structured questionnaires using a multistage sampling technique from 150 farmers selected randomly. The results indicate that farmers are indeed reducing the acreage under tobacco and venturing into other alternative crops. This shift and the choice of the alternative gone into was found to be influenced positively by factors such as land size, experience, access to extension services and distance to market. Total asset value however negatively influenced the shift to other crops. However demographic factors such as age, education, household size and gender had no role in influencing the farmers’ decision to shift to alternative crops. There is therefore need for more awareness on the hazards of tobacco cultivation and facilitation to other alternative crops through support of extension services, credit, market and identification of alternatives suitable to the area for the farmers.
Key words: Multinomial logit regression, World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), tobacco, alternative enterprise.
