Analysis of factors influencing sustainable adoption of improved maize technologies among smallholder farmers in Ugenya Sub-County, Kenya (Published)
Most smallholder farmers who account for more than 70% of the maize produced in Kenya are perpetually food insecure and stuck below poverty level. Sustained maize yield increase largely depends on long term adoption of modern farming technology. However, despite the high yields associated with modern maize technology promotion during and shortly after implementation phase of many projects, sustainability of the technologies still remains a challenge for smallholder maize producers in Kenya. The objective of this study was to analyse factors that influence sustainable adoption of maize technologies beyond the promotion phase among smallholder farmers in Ugenya Sub-County. An ex post facto research was carried out where one hundred and eighty eight smallholder farmers were selected through simple random sampling from purposively selected study population in Ugenya Sub-County. The data was subjected to Independent 2-Sample T-Test and multiple regression analysis. Maize yields obtained by inputs subsidy beneficiaries and non beneficiaries during post-subsidy support phase were not statistically significant (p>0.05). Except for on-farm labour availability and farmer’s farming experience (p<0.05) all other socio-economic, technical, management and institutional factors known to influence farming technology adoption had no significant influence on average maize yield (p>0.05) in the study area. The study recommended that smallholder farmers should operate under a functional structure such as farmers’ association that will support timely access to key factors of production, optimize on benefits of the economies of scale, enforce sustainable practices and serve as a linkage to key enterprise value chain actors.
Keywords: Adoption, Smallholder, Sustainable, Technologies
Utilisation of Sustainable Agricultural Practices among Crop Farmers in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State (Published)
The study examined utilisation of sustainable agricultural practices among crop farmers in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. A total of 120 respondents were selected for the study using multi-stage sampling technique. Structured questionnaires were used for data collection. The data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistical tools. Results showed that the mean age of the respondents was 44.77 years. Also, 60.00% were married, while 65.00% were females. Mixed cropping and organic manure application ranked 1st and 2nd most used sustainable agricultural practices. Utilisation of sustainable agricultural practices was low. Significant relationships existed between household size (r2 = 0.342, p < 0.05), educational status (c2 = 4.325, p < 0.05), knowledge level (r2 = 0.154, p < 0.05) and use of sustainable agricultural practices. It is recommended that policies and programmes of the government be directed at increasing utilisation of sustainable agricultural practices. Moreover, extension and farmers’ organisations should work towards increasing farmers’ knowledge on the importance and use of sustainable agricultural practices.
Keywords: Agricultural practice, Knowledge Level., Mixed cropping, Sustainable, Utilisation.