A Double-Hurdle Model Estimation of Adoption and Intensity of Use of Poultry Production Technologies in Machakos County, Kenya
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Date
2024-03
Authors
Kamau, Christopher N.
Majiwa, Eucabeth B.
Otieno, Geoffrey O.
Kabuage, Lucy W.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Taylor & Francis Group
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Poultry production technologies adoption, such as improved Indigenous Chicken (IC) breeds
and fabricated brooders, remain a viable option for enhancing IC productivity. However, the
uptake of improved IC technologies remains low, especially in developing countries. This
study investigated the adoption and intensity of the use of IC technologies in Machakos
County, Kenya. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey to collect data from 374
households selected through a multi-stage sampling technique. A structured questionnaire
and focus group discussion were employed, and data were analyzed using descriptive
statistics and the Double-Hurdle model. The double hurdle results revealed that farmer
experience, land size, non-farm activities, group membership, access to credit, awareness of
IC technologies, and use of intensive/semi-intensive production systems were positively
associated with IC technology adoption. However, household size was negatively associated
with IC technology adoption. The intensity of use of IC technology was positively associated
with gender, active labor, credit access, distance to the weather roads, and intensive
production system. The study recommends that there is a need for agricultural stakeholders
to promote membership in farmer associations and credit access, create awareness of IC
technology, and improve opportunities for non-farm activities to help improve the adoption
and intensity of the use of IC technologies.
PUBLIC INTEREST STATEMENT
The integration of improved Indigenous Chicken (IC) technologies plays an essential role in
bridging the existing demand for white meat in developing nations. The present popularity
of the indigenous chicken is due to the ease of feed conversion, the organic nature of
production, scavenging ability, and delicious products. Despite the increased demand, the
rate of uptake of the improved IC technologies remained low. The findings underscore the
crucial role of human-specific, economic, and institutional factors in determining the decision
and intensity of IC technologies in the arid and semi-arid lands of Kenya. The focus should be
on targeted interventions such as programs suited to the requirements of the region’s farmers,
increasing access to credit and extension services, and campaigning for supporting government
policies and programs that stimulate the use of improved IC technologies.
Description
Article
Keywords
Adoption, improved indigenous chicken, technologies, brooders, intensity
Citation
Kamau, C. N., Majiwa, E. B., Otieno, G. O., & Kabuage, L. W. (2024). A double-hurdle model estimation of adoption and intensity of use of poultry production technologies in Machakos County, Kenya. Cogent Food & Agriculture, 10(1), 2338435.