Determinants of Crop-Livestock Diversification among Smallholder Farmers in Mbeere North Sub-County, Embu County, Kenya

Smallholder farming systems face increasing risks from climate variability, market fluctuations, soil degradation, and socioeconomic inequalities. Crop-livestock diversification can improve resource-use efficiency, spread production risks, and strengthen resilience. However, evidence on its socioeconomic and institutional determinants remains limited in Kenya’s semi-arid regions. This study examined these determinants among smallholder farmers in Mbeere North Sub-County, Embu County. A cross-sectional survey of 394 randomly selected households used stratified sampling. Diversification was measured using the Simpson Diversity Index, and fractional regression identified associated factors. Overall, household size (β = 0.065, p < 0.01), age (β = 0.005, p < 0.10), market distance (β = 0.086, p < 0.01), land tenure security (β = 0.171, p < 0.05), climate information access (β = 0.287, p < 0.01), and credit access (β = −0.172, p < 0.01) were significant determinants. Gender-disaggregated results revealed distinct patterns. Among female-headed households, household size, land tenure security, and market distance significantly influenced diversification. Among male-headed households, household size, farmer-group membership, climate information access, and market distance had significant positive effects, whereas credit access had a significant negative effect. These findings highlight the importance of secure land rights, accessible climate information, effective farmer organizations, and gender-responsive agricultural support. Policies addressing these factors could strengthen crop-livestock diversification and improve smallholder resilience in semi-arid farming systems.