Examining the Effectiveness of Agricultural Productivity on Household Living Conditions

This study examines the effectiveness of agricultural productivity on household living conditions, focusing on small-scale farmers in Kamfisa Constituency. The specific objectives include analyzing the relationship between agricultural productivity and household income, assessing farmers' knowledge levels of sustainable agricultural practices and innovation adoption, and identifying challenges faced by farmers in optimizing productivity. The research employed both qualitative and quantitative methods, targeting a population of 40 small-scale farmers and 10 Ministry of Agriculture officers, using random sampling to select 50 respondents. Data was collected via structured questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS software. Findings reveal a significant positive relationship between agricultural productivity and household income, with 70% of respondents reporting that increased productivity proportionally enhances income levels. The primary factors influencing this relationship are access to modern farming technologies and climate variability. In low productivity regions, 55.7% of respondents recommend stricter agricultural trade regulations, while 44.3% suggest income diversification. Challenges such as high input costs, poor input quality, limited access to modern equipment, and inadequate training significantly hinder productivity. Sustainable farming practices are recognized for their benefits, with 60% of respondents noting significant improvements in productivity and income levels. Crop rotation and diversification are deemed sustainable practices by 75.3% of farmers, while awareness and education gaps are identified as major barriers to the adoption of sustainable practices. To address these challenges, recommendations include enhancing access to modern farming technologies, diversifying income sources, reducing input costs, and improving training and education on sustainable practices. Bridging the knowledge gap through government extension services and formal education, improving access to credit, and enhancing infrastructure are crucial for optimizing agricultural productivity and stabilizing household incomes. Effective pest and disease management strategies and market dynamics management are also vital to ensuring sustainable improvements for small-scale farmers in Kamfisa Constituency.