Determinants of farmers’ knowledge on soil and water conservation technologies in dry zones of Central Highlands, Kenya

Njenga, Maureen; Mugwe, J. N.; Mogaka, Hezron; Nyabuga, George; Oduor, Nathan Okoth; Kiboi, Milka N.; Ngetich, Felix K.; Mucheru-Muna, M.; Sijali, I. V.; Mugendi, Daniel N.

doi:10.4314/jae.v25i4.14

Cited by 2 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…Literature indicates that young and highly educated farmers exhibit a greater propensity to adopt new technologies and embrace sustainable agricultural practices (Jumman et al, 2022). Moreover, individuals with higher levels of education are more likely to possess a deeper understanding of soil and water conservation practices, as they have increased access to information and opportunities for training (Njenga et al, 2021). Respondents' working status also varied.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Perceptions and attitudes of farmers and landowners on soil salinity management and use of elemental sulphur in Oman

Al‐Mayahi,

Al‐Shibli,

Gibreel

et al. 2023

Soil Use and Management

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Soil salinity threatens agricultural sustainability globally and is a significant challenge in Oman. Previous studies in Oman focused on examining the causality and spatiotemporal variation of groundwater and soil salinity, neglecting farmers' perceptions and attitudes toward salinity management. Therefore, this study evaluates (i) perceptions and attitudes of landowners and farmers toward soil salinity and its management, and (ii) determinants of willingness to use elemental sulfur to alleviate soil salinity in Oman. A questionnaire survey (122 responses) assessed perceptions, attitudes, and knowledge using Likert scales and qualitative questions. Binary Logistic Regression analyzed determinants of willingness to use elemental sulfur. Results reveal variations in perceptions, attitudes, knowledge, and management practices. Most of the respondents were aware of adequate nutrient and water requirements for crops (P<0.05). Respondents rely on social media (38.5%), fellow farmers (32.1%), and personal experiences (11.5%) for knowledge acquisition about soil salinity management. Half of the respondents did not monitor soil salinity, while the other half relied primarily on visual observation. A substantial number (62.6%) of the respondents did not implement any techniques to alleviate soil salinity, while among those who acted, a majority preferred cultivating date palms (55%) or fodders (29.4%). Awareness of the national salinity management strategy and commercial products is lacking. However, when introduced to elemental sulfur as a soil amendment for salinity, 74.8% of the respondents demonstrated a willingness to utilize it. Most (82.4%) preferred elemental sulfur products within the lowest price range. Being a full‐time farmer, owning a farm, awareness of the national strategy, and low‐price preferences were positive determinants, while <1 year farming experience was negative determinant to willingness to use elemental sulfur. These findings inform future research on socio‐economic perceptions of salinity in Oman, the Gulf region, and similar arid areas facing food production limitations.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Perceptions and attitudes of farmers and landowners on soil salinity management and use of elemental sulphur in Oman

Al‐Mayahi,

Al‐Shibli,

Gibreel

et al. 2023

Soil Use and Management

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Training is one of the critical means of acquiring, developing and assimilating diverse agricultural techniques which ultimately impart positive behaviour and attitude on the impact of agricultural technologies (Lukuyu et al, 2012; Macharia et al, 2014). Additionally, training is vital in imparting knowledge and sensitizing farmers on productivity effects and environmental concerns of agricultural technologies (Njenga, Mugwe, Mogaka, et al, 2021; Njenga, Mugwe, Nyabuga, et al, 2021). The findings by Danquah et al (2019) has shown that farmers who have frequent contact with training programs are likely to adopt agricultural technologies, attributing a similar aspect in adoption intensity.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Most of the extant studies have majorly focused on adoption of ISFM technologies using models such as multivariate analysis and regression, Fisher's exact test, Welch's t test and ordered logistic regression, binary logistic (Mairura et al, 2022; Mwaura, Kiboi, Mugwe, et al, 2021; Njenga, Mugwe, Mogaka, et al, 2021; Njenga, Mugwe, Nyabuga, et al, 2021; Wawire et al, 2021). This prompts the study to apply a model that facilitate double approach of adoption and adoption intensity of ISFM technologies.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…About 80% of the total population depend on the sector for survival and it contributes up to 25% on gross domestic product (GDP) globally (WorldBank, 2021). Despite its economic significance, the sector faces a number of drawbacks on resource utilization because of population pressure and climate change (Ghosh, 2019; Njenga, Mugwe, Mogaka, et al, 2021; Njenga, Mugwe, Nyabuga, et al, 2021). Because of increased land use to meet needs like settlement, industrialization and infrastructural growth, an increase in population affects the amount of arable land used for food production (Coulibaly & Li, 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Extant studies have focused on the use and economic contribution of improved sorghum varieties (Mucioki et al, 2016; Mwangi et al, 2020). Pertaining ISFM, studies have concentrated on the study of selected set of technologies that fails to give a full picture on the level of adoption and the intensity of such adoption (Njenga, Mugwe, Mogaka, et al, 2021; Njenga, Mugwe, Nyabuga, et al, 2021; Okeyo et al, 2014; Wawire et al, 2021). Additionally, studies on the uptake of the technologies were done on the adoption level of the few selected ISFM technologies while a few have focused on its adoption intensity (Mairura et al, 2022; Mwaura, Kiboi, Mugwe, et al, 2021; Ndeke et al, 2021; Otieno, Kiboi, et al, 2021; Otieno, Kipchirchir, et al, 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Determinants of adoption and adoption intensity of integrated soil fertility management technologies among sorghum farmers in Upper Eastern Kenya

Kiprotich,

Mogaka,

Ndirangu

et al. 2023

Soil Use and Management

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Climate change manifestations and population pressure are some of the most critical challenges that affect agricultural productivity. Integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) technologies are among the agricultural innovations that have been developed to address declining crop productivity. These technologies have been promoted across diverse areas including marginal agro‐ecological zones. Despite the nobility and versatility of ISFM technologies, their adoption is still low particularly across Kenya landscapes. Consequently, there is limited knowledge explaining the adoption of these technologies especially in the dry areas. This study therefore, applied Cragg`s Double Hurdle model to determine the factors affecting adoption and adoption intensity of ISFM technologies among farmers in Upper Eastern Kenya, who mainly grow sorghum both as a food and a cash crop. The results revealed that gender, dependants, farming goal for subsistence purpose (P <0.01), decision on information use, farm size, extension services, research awareness, ISFM awareness and ISFM access, significantly affected household decision on adoption of ISFM technologies. On the other hand, gender of household head, farm size, main source of agricultural information and formal agricultural training had significant influence on adoption intensity of ISFM technologies. There is a thus a crucial need for integration of determinants surrounding adoption and adoption intensity of ISFM technologies in policy making and planning processes to enhance sorghum crop productivity in marginal Upper Eastern areas of the Country.

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Determinants of farmers’ knowledge on soil and water conservation technologies in dry zones of Central Highlands, Kenya

Cited by 2 publications

References 22 publications

Perceptions and attitudes of farmers and landowners on soil salinity management and use of elemental sulphur in Oman

Perceptions and attitudes of farmers and landowners on soil salinity management and use of elemental sulphur in Oman

Determinants of adoption and adoption intensity of integrated soil fertility management technologies among sorghum farmers in Upper Eastern Kenya

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