Constraints to On-Farm Maize (Zea mays L.) Seed Production in Western Kenya: Plant Growth and Yield

Table 10

Economic analysis of various treatment combinations in Western Kenya.

	Costs (Ksh) by treatment combination
Variable (ha^−1)	Local variety		KSTP
	With fertilizer (A)	Without Fertilizer (B)	With fertilizer (C)	Without fertilizer (D)
Yield (kg/ha)	3697.30	2039.73	3461.62	1805.05
Gross field benefit	49297	27196	46155	24067
Land preparation	3,600	3,600	3,600	3,600
Cost of seed	600^a	600^a	1,200	1,200
Cost of fertilizer	6,503	0	6,503	0
Cost of weeding	3,840	3,840	3,840	3,840
Cost of empty bags	1,150	600	1,100	525
Total variable costs	15,693	8,640	16,243	9,165
Net benefit	33,604	18,556	29,912	14,902
Benefit: cost ratio	2.14	2.15	1.84	1.62

^aThe cost of seed for the local variety was taken as the price of maize price plus the storage costs.