FACTORS INFLUENCING ADOPTION OF GRAIN AMARANTH/MAIZE INTERCROP AMONG SMALL HOLDER FARMERS IN KIMININI SUB-COUNTY, TRANS NZOIA, KENYA

Abstract

Food insecurity is a real challenge to most populations globally. For several years, agriculture has been the single most important sector, providing livelihood for at least 53% of the economically active population. In particular, about 84% of economically active population is small holder farmers who are engaged in the agricultural sector. For years, most farmlands under cultivation or arable land have reduced significantly due to global population pressure on land. This arable land has continued to reduce to a level that significant agricultural practice is minimal. Declining yields per unit area has also been on the increase, hence creating food deficits in most countries. TransNzoia County despite being the bread basket of Kenya has seen a decline in production in most parts of the county, with Kiminini sub-county on the lead. Poverty index is high with about 60% recorded. Grain amaranth/maize intercrop is one of the potential practices to increasing yields, with Amaranth having unique agricultural properties, high yielding, fast growing and resistance to drought compared to other cereals. The main aim of intercropping is to augment the total productivity per unit area and time, besides judicious and equitable utilization of land resources and farming inputs including labour etc. There is therefore, the need for intercropping to efficiently utilize small parcels of land and avail good nutritional crop mix for the vulnerable households. This study therefore sought to determine the factors influencing adoption of grain amaranth/maize intercropping among smallholder farmers in Kiminini sub-county, Kenya. Cross sectional survey research design was used through structured questionnaire among 100 smallholder farmers from 5 wards of Kiminini Sub County. Data collected was subjected to descriptive statistical analysis and the binary logistic regression model. There were significant differences (p<0.05) observed with regard to adoption of grain amaranth/maize intercrop. Education level played a critical role in adoption accounting for over (75%) with above post secondary education, while other areas such as land ownership (83%),economic factors generally showed regression analysis of r=0.774,p<0.05 whereas, institutional factors largely recorded positive significant effect of r=0.292,p<0.018 such as extension services (76%) with (p< 0.05),NGOs offering the services at (72%) and training being the most sought services by farmers at (75%).social, economic and institutional factors had positive significant influence on the adoption of grain amaranth/maize intercrop. The study therefore concluded that gender; farmer’s level of education, economic and institutional factors had positive significant influence on adoption of grain amaranth/maize intercrop. There is need to strengthen extension services to smallholder farmers to increase their production capacity.