ABSTRACT Kenya, like most countries in the East Africa Region, has continued to be beleaguered by unabated high and volatile food prices. The government, in an effort to counter these challenges, has instituted various policies aimed at reversing the situation. This paper is aimed at examining spatial maize market integration in the presence of non-constant transaction costs and policies implemented. Findings indicate that market pairs close to each other were integrated, had a lower transaction cost and the price differential across markets were quickly corrected compared to markets further apart. Evaluation of the effects of policies on market integration shows the implementation of policies resulted in market distortion. The price difference between surplus and deficit markets were not corrected hence equilibrium was not achieved. When markets are poorly integrated, the price mechanism does not work and price signals cannot be transmitted thus allowing for efficient exchange of food products across spatial markets. To reduce transaction costs in the maize sector, the government should improve the road infrastructure connecting production areas with the markets and between markets. Harmonisation of the local government levies imposed on maize traversing different local municipalities will help reduce transaction costs. On the fertiliser subsidy, the government needs to collaborate with the private sector as it has a wide distribution network countrywide. This will ensure accessibility of the fertiliser by farmers in remote areas. Market forces should guide participation of the marketing board in the maize market. The board should not succumb to political pressure by purchasing maize at a higher price than the market prices.

中文翻译：

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高粮价时代的空间市场整合。肯尼亚玉米市场盈余和亏缺案例

摘要 与东非地区的大多数国家一样，肯尼亚继续受到食品价格高企且波动不减的困扰。为应对这些挑战，政府制定了各种旨在扭转局势的政策。本文旨在研究在存在非恒定交易成本和实施政策的情况下的空间玉米市场整合。调查结果表明，与相距较远的市场相比，彼此靠近的市场对是整合的，交易成本较低，而且市场之间的价格差异很快得到纠正。对政策对市场一体化影响的评估表明，政策的实施导致了市场扭曲。盈余和赤字市场之间的价格差异没有得到纠正，因此没有达到均衡。当市场整合不力时，价格机制不起作用，价格信号无法传递，从而允许跨空间市场的食品有效交换。为降低玉米部门的交易成本，政府应改善连接产区与市场以及市场之间的道路基础设施。地方政府对跨越不同地方自治市的玉米征收的统一税将有助于降低交易成本。在化肥补贴方面，政府需要与私营部门合作，因为它在全国拥有广泛的分销网络。这将确保偏远地区的农民能够获得肥料。市场力量应引导营销委员会参与玉米市场。