Jerop, R. and Dannenberg, P. and George Owuor, G. and Mshenga, P. and etl, .
(2018)
Factors affecting the adoption of agricultural
innovations on underutilized cereals: The case of finger
millet among smallholder farmers in Kenya.
African Journal of Agricultural Research, 13 (36).
pp. 1888-1900.
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Abstract
Agricultural innovation adoption is fundamental in increasing incomes and food output in developing
countries. However, the factors that influence farmers’ decisions to adopt innovations in underutilized
crops are not well-documented. Underutilized crops like finger millet have been an alternative form of
sustenance for resource-poor farmers especially in arid and semi-arid areas in Kenya. They are more
nutritive and resilient to environmental extremes and harsh weather conditions than common crops like
maize. The study presented sought to investigate factors that facilitate or impede the probability and
level of use of different innovations (improved varieties, conservation tillage, integrated pest and weed
management, and group marketing) on the production and marketing of these crops. A multi-stage
sampling technique was used to survey 384 finger millet producers in Elgeyo-Marakwet County, Kenya.
The study employed a multivariate probit to model simultaneously the interdependent adoption
decisions of finger millet farmers and an ordered probit to determine the level of adoption. The results
reveal that plot size, off/non-farm income, household credit, and extension contact positively influence
the decision to adopt and the level of adoption. Technical training positively affects the level of
adoption but negatively influences the probability of adopting some innovations. Awareness of these
factors could allow the development of strategies, policies, and plans to increase the uptake and
sustenance of agricultural innovations on the production and marketing of finger millet and could,
consequently, contribute to the food security and incomes of finger millet farmers through enhanced
productivity and marketing of the crop.
| Item Type: |
Article
|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: |
Agricultural innovations, adoption, underutilized cereals, smallholders, Kenya |
| Author Affiliation: |
Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Management, Egerton University, P. O. Box 536-20115
Egerton, Kenya |
| Subjects: |
Social Sciences > Agricultural Economics |
| Divisions: |
Millet |
| Depositing User: |
Mr T L Gautham
|
| Date Deposited: |
24 Sep 2018 04:49 |
| Last Modified: |
24 Sep 2018 04:49 |
| URI: |
http://eprints.icrisat.ac.in/id/eprint/15621 |
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