Adoption and intensity of improved fish feeds use in Western Kenya

Abstract

Improved fish feeds are considered to be paramount input for increased agricultural productivity and enhanced food security, however, its adoption in Western Kenya remains very low.  This study utilized double hurdle model to analyse determinants and intensity of adoption of improved fish feeds in Western Kenya using cross-sectional survey data of 400 fish-farming households. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to identify the adopters and non-adopters of improved fish feeds. The study revealed that 51.5% households utilized improved fish feeds. The results of the study indicated that there were differences regarding factors that determine adoption and intensity of adoption of improved fish feeds. It was found that government subsidy, type of labour, credit access, age, and growing crops significantly influenced the probability of adoption of improved fish feeds but had no significant influence on intensity of use.  The findings further revealed that group membership, access to  extension services, experience, and non-farm activity significantly affected the intensity of use of improved fish feeds but did not explain probability of adoption. However, market access, household size, fish income, education, livestock ownership and farm-gate  price  of  fish  significantly influenced both adoption and intensity of use of improved fish feeds. To enhance adoption and intensity of use of improved fish feed technology, policy interventions such as availing market information, reducing transaction costs, improving resource  endowment  of  farmers,  improving education  through  trainings  to  reach  many  farmers and  increasing  price  of  fish  yield  are  recommended.