Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of selected economic factors on adoption of
cotton production. Adoption of cotton production is a very important chance to improve the
economy of Embu County. Since cotton is an important cash crop used by both, developed and
developing countries, it has important implication for livelihoods of rural people. In order to
achieve this, several interventions have been done in this sector. The general objective was to
determine effect of selected economic factors on adoption of cotton production among small-scale
farmers in Evurore Ward, Embu County. The specific objectives were to determine effect of access
to market on adoption of cotton production in Evurore ward, to determine effect of cost of
production on adoption of cotton production in Evurore ward and to determine effect of access to
extension services on adoption of cotton production in Evurore. The study was confined to Evurore
ward because it is one of the suitable areas for cotton production in Embu County the area has
climate favorable for cotton production. The target population was small-scale farmers who grow
cotton under little technology with small land size below a hectare. Questionnaires were used to
collect data from selected farmers. A sample size of fifty was used to represent all small scale
farmers in the area. The data, in form of the coded variables, was entered into the Statistical
Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), followed by data editing. This exercise ensured that every
data entered for each questionnaire in each variable is correct. The study used descriptive survey
design. Descriptive survey design was appropriate because it involves collecting data in order to
answer questions concerning the status of subjects, of the study. Access to market had a strong
positive relationship, access to extension services had strong positive relationship and cost of
production had a moderate positive relationship on adoption of cotton production in Evurore ward.
Therefore the research concluded that access to market, extension services and cost of production
had a positive influence on adoption of cotton production in the study area. The study recommends
that the government should facilitate development of local and international market for cotton
products and ensure effective and efficient extension services.
