Analysis of Factors Influencing Adoption of Soil and Water Conservation Technologies in Ngaciuma Sub-Catchment, Kenya
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Date
2012
Authors
Obando, Joy Apiyo
Alufah, S.
Shisanya, C.A.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
African Journal of Basic & Applied Sciences
Abstract
The main study objective was to determine and examine factors influencing the adoption of soil and water conservation (SWC) technologies for sustainable watershed management and planning in the Ngaciuma sub-catchment. To achieve the goal of the study, pre-tested questionnaires were administered to 120 household farmers. Numerical tools for data analysis comprised of descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviations), non-parametric test (chi-square) and logistic economic model. It was found that terracing, tree planting, agroforestry, cover cropping, mixed cropping and contour vegetation strip were major SWC technologies in the area. It also came to light that household size, perception of soil erosion problem, training in soil erosion control, land ownership and access to institutional credit had significant effects on adoption of SWC technologies. The study further revealed that age, distance of farm from the Ngaciuma River, slope of cultivated land (significant at P< 0.01) and membership of an organization or group have positive influence on adoption while education, distance of farm from homestead and number of farm parcels have negative effect on adoption of SWC technologies in the catchment. It was obvious from the study findings that farmers consider personal characteristics, socio-economic, institutional, technology attributes and other exogenous factors before adopting SWC technologies in the catchment. The findings reinforce the fact that
in order to achieve sustainable watershed management, institutional and economic factors should be given special attention. Based on the study findings, the following implications were drawn. There is need for sensitization of farmers to form groups to benefit from institutional credit facilities to enhance adoption of SWC technologies, formal training of all stakeholders in SWC technologies and capacity building of farmers in other livelihood areas to reduce pressure on watershed natural resources.
Key words: Adoption, Soil and water conservation technologies, Logit model, Ngaciuma sub-catchment, Kenya
Description
DOI: 10.5829/idosi.ajbas.2012.4.5.1112
Keywords
Adoption, Soil and water conservation technologies, Logit model, Ngaciuma sub-catchment, Kenya
Citation
African Journal of Basic & Applied Sciences 4 (5): 172-185, 2012