FACTORS INFLUENCING ADOPTION OF RECOMMENDED SOIL FERTILITY REPLENISHMENT TECHNOLOGIES BY MAIZE FARMERS IN THE NORTH RIFT REGION OF KENYA

Abstract

Adoption of recommended soil fertility replenishment technologies (SFRT), a key component of soil fertility management by farmers in developing countries, particularly sub Saharan African has and continues to be low. This study, through a questionnaire to 384 household heads, investigated factors affecting the adoption of recommended soil fertility replenishment technologies by maize farmers in the Kenya’s main maize growing counties of Trans Nzoia and Uasin Gishu. The target population in the study area was maize farmers in Uasin Gishu and Trans Nzoia counties. The study employed multistage, proportionate, systematic and simple random sampling techniques to get a sample size of 384 respondents for the main study. Farm households were used as units for analysis. Data was collected using questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Multinomial logistic model was used to estimate the parameters of the regression model and the Likert Scale was used to measure the perception. Results revealed that, coefficient gender was negative and had significant by -1.844, -2.015 and -1.688 (p<0.05, p<0.05, p<0.001) effect on the adoption of FURP, FURPL and Mavuno technologies, respectively. Age of the househole had a positive significant effect on adoption of FURP, FURP and NAAIAP technologies by 1.960, 1.948 and 1.469 (p<0.05), respectively. However, it had negative significant effect on adoption of Mavuno technology by -1.617 (p<0.001). Size of land showed a negative and significant effect on the choice of Rutuba by -0.390 (p<0.05). Farm income negatively influenced the adoption of FURPL technology by -0.669 (P<0.05). The results revealed that the coefficient off- farm income was negative and statistically influenced the adoption of FURP, ½ rate Rutuba plus ½ FURP and NAAIAP technologies by -18.234, -2.364 and -2.515 at (p<0.001, p<0.05 and p<0.05), respectively. Access to credit had a significant negative in influence in the likelihood of adopting FURPL by -0.088 (p<0.05) while it was significantly positive in adoption NAAIAP technology by 1.749 (p<0.1). Further, the cost of technology had a negative influence on choice of FURP and Rutuba at -4.032 (p < 0.05 and -15.688 (p < 0.001) significance levels. Farmers had a positive perception of the soil fertility replenishment technologies at a mean score of 3.6. Farmers in Trans Nzoia county identified lack of capital (70.2%) compared to Uasin Gishu (36.9%) as the greatest challenge in the adoption of the recommended SFRT technologies. Credit schemes that are farmer friendly should be established to enable farmers have access to credit. Researchers, development agents and the government ought to implement measures and strategies that will increase access to productive resources by female farmers. The government should device a policy that should encourage the youth involvement in the agricultural activities. Policy makers should also focus on strengthening research/extension/ farmer linkages