Blockchain's Transparency and the Performance of the Small-Scale Agricultural Farms in Kenya

Agriculture remains a fundamental pillar of Kenya’s economy, supporting livelihoods and contributing significantly to GDP. However, small-scale agricultural farms face persistent inefficiencies, including poor traceability, inadequate record-keeping, and limited accountability, which constrain productivity and market integration. This study investigates the extent to which blockchain technology’s transparency can address these challenges and enhance farm performance. Blockchain’s decentralized and tamper-proof ledger system offers the potential to improve transparency, build trust, and streamline agricultural processes. This research specifically explores how blockchain-driven transparency influences trust, decision-making, coordination, and operational efficiency in Kenya’s small-scale farming context. The study employed a pragmatic philosophy and a mixed-methods approach, integrating both qualitative and quantitative methodologies. Focus group discussions with selected village champions provided contextual insights into farmers’ experiences with blockchain applications, while structured questionnaires collected quantitative data from all 52 blockchain- enabled agricultural firms in the study population, enabling a full census. Data analysis included both descriptive and inferential techniques. Thematic analysis was applied to qualitative responses to identify recurring patterns, while Pearson’s and Spearman’s Rank correlation tests assessed key relationships. Multiple regression models were used to determine the predictive strength and statistical significance of blockchain-related variables on farm performance. Findings indicate that blockchain transparency significantly enhances traceability, improves operational decision-making, and fosters stronger stakeholder trust. These outcomes collectively contribute to improved market access, reduced post-harvest losses, and greater efficiency. Despite challenges such as low awareness levels and technical skill gaps, the evidence supports blockchain transparency as a valuable enabler of performance improvement in Kenya’s small-scale agricultural sector. This study contributes to the growing body of literature on agricultural digitalization, offering empirical evidence on the practical value of blockchain technology in emerging economies.