Mutai, Julius Kiplangat2025-02-242025-02-242014-01http://41.89.96.120:4000/handle/123456789/1038Although maize performs well compared with other grains and legumes in Eastern and South there are challenges in production, post harvest handling and marketing of the maize produce. Majority of farmers sell the maize produce soon after harvest realizing low prices. As £1 effort to mitigate the challenge, the Govemment together with other development partners introduced Grain Warehouse Receipt System (GWRS) under Kenya maize development programme (KMDP). However, the success of the system is yet to be achieved hence the need to be re-examined. This study therefore analyzed level of awareness and factors that influence farmers’ participation in Grain Warehouse Receipt System (GWRS). A multistage sampling technique was adopted in the study with two divisions, Njoro and Gilgil purposely selected. Each of the divisions had 89 maize growing households randomly selected. The sample size thus became 178 households. Data on the socio-economic characteristics of respondents, post harvest costs and maize price movements were collected. Marginal rate of retum (MRR) was used to analyze economic benefits of the system and double hurdle model was used to analyze factors that determine farmers’ participation in the system and the extent of participation. The organizations that offered warehousing services were National cereals and produce board (NCPB) and Lesiolo grain handlers. On level of awareness of GWRS, 38.76% of the household heads were not aware of the existence of GWRS, 34.27% were aware but were not participating in Grain Warehouse Receipt System (GWRS) while 26.97% were aware and were participating in GWRS. Of the household heads that were aware, 4.27% perceived it as less important maize marketing strategy, 36.75% perceived it as important while 58.97% perceived it as very important. Gender and distance to warehouse negatively influenced farmers’ participation in the system while land size under maize production, off farm income, group membership positively influenced farmers’ participation in GWRS. Gender and distance to warehouse negatively influenced the extent of participation in GWRS while land size under maize production, group membership positively influenced the extent of participation. After carrying partial budget and marginal analysis, marketing maize under GWRS was the most profitable compared to other post harvest trading options. The study recommends promotion of Grain Warehouse Receipt System, strengthening of farmer owned organizations, women empowerment in agricultural activities promotion of off farm income generating activities and grain driers and collection points made which Famwers access them.enGrain warehouse receipts systemFarmers participation and perfomance analysisThesis