Influence of Socio-Economic and Institutional Factors on the Uptake and the Extent of Application of Climate-Smart Agricultural Technologies and Management Practices among Smallholder Potato Farmers in Kenya

  • S. N. Wamuyu Department of Agricultural Economics and Business Management, Egerton University
  • H. K. Bett Department of Agricultural Economics and Business Management, Egerton University
  • I. M. Kariuki Department of Agricultural Economics and Business Management, Egerton University
  • J. Cadot Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics (AAEC), Virginia Tech University, Blacksburg

Abstract

Smallholder farmers in developing countries are facing the threat of climate change and have resorted into numerous adaptation strategies that have collectively been referred to as Climate Smart Agricultural Technologies and Management Practices (CSA TMPs). Potato (Solanum tuberosum) is the second most important food crop in
Kenya after maize. This study sought to determine the influence of socio-economic and institutional factors on the uptake and the extent of application of climate-smart agricultural technologies and management practices among smallholder potato farmers. The study was carried out in Taita-Taveta, Nyandarua, Nyeri and Elgeyo Marakwet Counties in Kenya. A sample of 312 smallholder farmers was used. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to get the study sample. Researcher administered questionnaires were used to collect primary data. The research instrument was pre-tested in Nakuru County. In this study, descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the collected data using Stata (version 14). Multivariate Tobit regression model was used in identifying factors that influence the uptake and extent of application of CSA TMPs. This study found that farmers had adopted majority of the CSA TMPs under investigation. Older farmers and those with more household members are more likely to adopt climate smart agronomic practices. Some of additional enabling factors that enhance adoption of climate smart
agronomic practices include greater extension contacts, non-farm income and land size. This study recommends that farmers should be trained in order to enhance their adoption of climate smart agricultural practices. Training is key in compensating for lack of adequate skills in farming activities. Training can be realized through
#Corresponding author: ngunjirikrt@yahoo.com extension programmes and information dissemination through social media among other platforms. Owing to
cost implication involved in climate smart agronomic practices, farmers should be supported on how to access the needed capital through well-structured loan facilities.

Published
2022-08-26
How to Cite
Wamuyu, S. N., Bett, H. K., Kariuki, I. M., & Cadot, J. (2022). Influence of Socio-Economic and Institutional Factors on the Uptake and the Extent of Application of Climate-Smart Agricultural Technologies and Management Practices among Smallholder Potato Farmers in Kenya. East African Agricultural and Forestry Journal, 86(1-2), 14. Retrieved from https://www.kalro.org/www.eaafj.or.ke/index.php/path/article/view/553
Issue
Vol 86 No 1-2 (2022): East African Agricultural and Forestry Journal
Section
Articles

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