Input policy and use of fertilizers and improved seeds for maize production in Kenya

The use of improved inputs is important in increasing crop productivity. In put policy plays a crucial role in giving farmers incentives to increase th eir adoption and use. This paper analyses the Kenyan input policy before an d after input market liberalization. Particular attention is focused on the use of fertilizer and improved seeds in maize production during this time. Price analysis shows that both fertilizer and improved seed prices rose sh arply after the input market liberalization. Input profitability analysis s howed that both the fertilizer-maize price ratio and the improved seeds-mai ze price ratio decreased after input market liberalization due to the maize price increases that occurred during the same period.