Research Article

Factors that Influence Adoption of New Improved Wheat Varieties by Farmers in Nakuru and Narok, Kenya

Anne Gichangi
Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, Kenya
* Corresponding author
Adrian Mukhebi
Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, Kenya
Festus Murithi
Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) Headquarters, Kenya
DOI icon 10.24018/ejfood.2022.4.2.475

Read Counter
485

Downloads
451

Citations

Share

Article Sidebar

Submitted 2022-03-04
Published 2022-04-14

Read counter = 485 times

Table of Contents

Article Main Content

This study examines the factors that influence the adoption of new improved wheat varieties (NIWV) by wheat farmers in Nakuru and Narok counties in Kenya. Cross-sectional data from 344 randomly selected wheat farmers from the Njoro and Rongai sub-Counties in Nakuru County; and Narok South and Narok North sub-counties in Narok County, Kenya were investigated. Probit model was run to estimate the factors influencing the adoption rate of improved new wheat varieties. Results derived from model estimates indicate that farmers' adoption of improved wheat varieties in the study area is positive due to education, availability of information, off-farm income, distance to inputs and produce markets, and exposure to extension advice services and access to credits. The study recommends that the public and private sectors promote access to advisory services to improve the dissemination of certified wheat seeds to farmers through training, workshops, and seminars.

Keywords: adoption, Kenya, new improved varieties, wheat

References

  1. Monroy L., Mulinge W., and Witwer M. Analysis of incentives and disincentives for wheat in Kenya (Technical notes series, MAFAP). Rome: FAO, 2013.
     Google Scholar
  2. Kamau M., Olwande J., and Githuku J. Consumption and Expenditures on Key Food Commodities in Urban Households: The Case of Nairobi. Nairobi: Tegemeo Institute of Agricultural Policy and Development, 2011.
     Google Scholar
  3. FAO.Analysis of Price Incentives for Wheat in Kenya (Technical notes series, MAFAP). Rome: FAO, 2015.
     Google Scholar
  4. Kiriti Nganga T., and Mugo M. G. Impact of economic regimes on food systems in Kenya, in Towards Food Sustainability Working Paper, 2018, 7. (Bern: Centre for Development and Environment (CDE), University of Bern).
     Google Scholar
  5. Macharia G., and Ngina B. Wheat in Kenya: past and twenty-first century breeding. In Wheat Improvement, Management and Utilization, eds R. Wanyera, and J. Owuoche (Rijeka: InTech), 2017, 3–15. doi: 10.5772/67271.
     Google Scholar
  6. Chemonics International. Staple Foods Value Chain Analysis: Country Report-Kenya. Nairobi: USAID, 2010.
     Google Scholar
  7. KNBS. Economic Survey 2020. Nairobi: Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, 2020.
     Google Scholar
  8. Negassa A., Shiferaw B., Koo J., Sonder K., Smale M., Braun H. J., et al. The Potential for Wheat Production in Africa: Analysis of Biophysical Suitability and Economic Profitability. Mexico: CIMMYT, 2013.
     Google Scholar
  9. Kamwaga J., Macharia G., Boyd L., Chiurugwi T., Midgley I., Canales C., et al. Kenya Wheat Production Handbook. Nairobi: Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, 2016.
     Google Scholar
  10. Tadesse W., Bishaw Z., and Assefa S. Wheat production and breeding in Sub-Saharan Africa: challenges and opportunities in the face of climate change. Int. J. Clim. Change Strat. Manag, 2019;11:696–715. doi: 10.1108/IJCCSM-02-2018-0015.
     Google Scholar
  11. Macharia M., Tebkew D., Agum W., and Njuguna M. Incidence and distribution of insect pests in rain-fed wheat in eastern Africa. Afr. Crop Sci. J., 2016;24:149. doi: 10.4314/acsj.v24i1.17S.
     Google Scholar
  12. Giatu R., S. Mburu M.K. Mathenge and M. Smale. Trade and Agricultural Competitiveness forGrowth , Food Security and Poverty Reduction:A Case of Wheat and Rice Production in Kenya.Tegemo Institute of Agricultural Policy andDevelopment. Nairobi, Kenya, 2010.
     Google Scholar
  13. KALRO. Annual report Njoro, Kenya, 2015:22-36.
     Google Scholar
  14. Wooldridge J. M. Introductory Econometrics: A modern Approach, Michigan, South-Western Cengage Learning, 2010.
     Google Scholar
  15. Adesina A. A., and Zinnah M. M. Technology characteristics, farmers' perceptions and adoption decisions: A Tobit model application in Sierra Leone. Agricultural Economics, 1993;9(4):297-311.
     Google Scholar
  16. McDonald J. F., & Moffitt R. A. The uses of Tobit analysis. The review of economics and statistics, 1980:318-321.
     Google Scholar
  17. Ghimire R., Wen-chi H., & Shrestha B. R. Factors Affecting Adoption of Improved Rice Varieties among Rural Farm Households in Central Nepal. Journal of Rice Science, 2015;22 (1): 35−43.
     Google Scholar
  18. Shiferaw B, Kassie M, Jaleta M, Yirga C. Adoption of improved wheat varieties and impacts on household food security in Ethiopia. Food Policy, 2014;44: 272-284.
     Google Scholar
  19. Olalekan A. W., & Simeon B. A. Discontinued use of improved maize varieties in Osun state, Nigeria Journal of Development and Agricultural Economics. Journal of Development and Agricultural Economics, 2015;7 (3):85-91.
     Google Scholar
  20. Bogale A., Nefo K., & Seboka H. Selection of some morphological traits of bread wheat that enhance the competitiveness against wild oat (Avena fatua L.). World Journal of Agricultural Science, 2011;7 (2): 128–135.
     Google Scholar
  21. Beshir H., Emana B., Kassa B., and Haji J. Determinants of chemical fertilizer technology adoption in north eastern highlands of Ethiopia: The double hurdle approach. Journal of Research Economics and International Finance, 2012;1 (2): 39-49.
     Google Scholar
  22. Yemane A. Determinants of adoption of upland rice varieties in Fogera district, Ethiopia. Journal of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, 2014;8 (12): 332-338.
     Google Scholar
  23. Wondale L., Molla D., and Tilahun D. Logit analysis of factors affecting adoption of improved bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) variety: The case of Yilmana Densa District, West Gojam, Ethiopia. Journal of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, 2016;8 (12): 258-268.
     Google Scholar


Most read articles by the same author(s)