Determinants of Adoption and Utilisation of Integrated Soil Fertility Management by Small Holders in Central Kenya

Abstract

Per capita food production in Africa has been declining over the last two decades, contrary to global trends due to soil fertility decline. The study sought to determine factors that influence adoption and utilization of integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) technologies by smallholder farmers in central Kenya. Two hundred and forty (240) farmers were randomly sampled and data collected through face-to-face interviews. Data were subjected to binary logistic regression to determine factors that could explain adoption and utilization of the ISFM technologies. Results showed that in regard to combined organic and inorganic fertilizers utilisation, positive associations were detected with occupation, farming experience, perception of soil degradation, external assistance, off-farm income, perception of food and cash security, tropical livestock units, and house-hold size. The study concludes that there is need to examine the critical role that socio-economic variables contribute in the farming system during the development of ISFM