Spatial Trends and Distribution Patterns of Organic Crop Production in Central Kenya.
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This research adds to knowledge on trends and distribution patterns of organic agriculture (OA) systems. The study was descriptive in nature involving 329 organic farmers selected through stratified random sampling from four counties in Central Kenya. The counties were Nyeri, Muranga, Kirinyaga, and Kiambu. A peer and expert reviewed semi-structured questionnaire and GPS devices were used for data collection. The mean acreage under OA in the four counties rose significantly from M = 264.88, (tau) = .0.44, p < .05 in 2012 to M = 508.95, = .95, p < .05 in 2017. The annual income from organic crops increased by 84% from KShs 29,926 ($299.26) in 2012 to KShs 181,635 ($1816.35) in 2017. Most of the organic farms were clustered as reported by the average neighbor index (index = .05, p <.05, Z = -37.24). More conventional agricultural farmers converted to OA, thus, acreage and income emanating from organic crop production rose tremendously. The clustering of the farms resulted from the formation of farmer groups, proximity to the packing houses and holding facilities, environmental, sociological, and financial factors. More farmers in the region should be encouraged to convert to OA. An expansion of clusters would enhance the sharing of information.
