Adoption of Soybean by Smallholder Farmers in the Central Highlands of Kenya
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Date
2019-05
Authors
Murage, F. M.
Mugwe, J. N.
Ngetich, K. F.
Mucheru-Muna, M. M.
Mugendi, D. N.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
International Scholars Journals Publishing Corporation
Abstract
Current demand for soybean in Kenya is higher than production, and the deficit is filled through importation
from neighboring Countries. Despite the high demand, production and adoption remain low. The study sought
to determine factors influencing the decision to adopt soybean by smallholder farmers, assess acreage under
soybean, and its production. Interviews were carried out using an interview schedule on 210 households
randomly sampled from purposively selected farmer groups. Data were subjected to cross-tabulation for
categorical variables to test for association. It was also subjected to a logistic regression model to predict
factors affecting the decision to adopt soybean. Results showed that 41% of the households were adopters
while 59% were non-adopters. The number of adopters increased from 28% to 88% over the six seasons.
Acreage under soybean and its production increased over the six seasons. Farm size, membership of a farmer
group and attendance of training on soybean production influenced the decision to adopt soybean positively
while household head age negatively influenced the adoption of soybean. These results imply that the
adoption of soybean can be enhanced by targeting younger farmers, farmers with bigger farm sizes,
encouraging farmers to join farmer groups and increasing training on soybean.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
Adoption, Acreage, Production, Soybean, Smallholder farmers
Citation
African Journal of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development Vol. 7 (5), pp. 001-012, May, 2019