Contribution of Multi-Purpose Pumpkin (Curcubita Moschata Duch.) to the Economy of Kenyan Small-Scale Households

Abstract

Kenya’s agricultural sector has generally faced a blow with repeated delays in rains causing suppressed farming. Farmers should therefore grow other non-staple crops which can do well with minimal rainfall. Pumpkin is one such crop that is drought-tolerant and requires very little care and labour. Majority of households do not utilize pumpkins regularly, although it is a multi-purpose food crop capable of forming basis for various products including infant weaning foods, snacks and bakery products. The study established socio-economic status of households and extent of cultivation and sale of pumpkin. A cross-sectional survey using a semi-structured questionnaire was used among 385 households in Nyeri County of Kenya. Majority of households earned low income, with 56.3% earning less than KSh. 12,000 monthly. Pumpkin was grown by 71.4% of farmers but contributed to livelihoods of only 4.2% households. There was a high correlation between the number of pumpkin plants cultivated and amount of income received from pumpkin sale, r (16)= 0.510, P=0.043. Pumpkin fruit contributes very little to income of the households and is not yet tapped to improve food security and livelihood of people in Kenya. Improving marketability of pumpkin could increase its demand, production level and sale to generate income for many poor rural households.