Communication Factors Influencing Adoption of Soil and Water Conservation Technologies in the Dry Zones of Tharaka-Nithi County, Kenya
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Date
2021-10-19
Authors
Njenga, Maureen Wairimu
Mugwe, Jayne Njeri
Mogaka, Hezron
Nyabuga, George
Kiboi, Milka
Ngetich, Felix
Mucheru-Muna, Monicah
Sijali, Isaya
Mugendi, Daniel
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
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Abstract
Integrated soil fertility and soil water conservation technologies are possible solutions to the low per capita food
production in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Nonetheless, the rate of adoption of these technologies by smallholder
farmers has stagnated over the years despite being recommended. This has been attributed to the existence of
wide communication gaps among researchers, extension agents, and farmers. Therefore, this study aimed to assess
the influence of communication factors on the adoption of the selected technologies among smallholder farmers in
the drylands of Tharaka-Nithi County. We used a cross-sectional survey design and collected data using an
interview schedule from 400 randomly selected farming households. Binary logistic regression was employed for
data analysis. Results showed that accessibility of extension agents after introducing the technology significantly
influenced the adoption of combined organic and inorganic fertilizers (p ¼ 0.056), mulch (p ¼ 0.051), and Zai pit
(p ¼ 0.058). Similarly, practical orientation significantly influenced the adoption of combined organic and
inorganic fertilizers (p ¼ 0.001), mulch (p ¼ 0.010), and Zai pit (p ¼ 0.003). Information repetition significantly
influenced the adoption of combined organic and inorganic fertilizers, mulch, and Zai pit at p-value 0.003, 0.001,
and 0.001, respectively. Training was essential for mulch and Zai pit technologies at (p ¼ 0.030) and (p ¼ 0.001)
respectively, while farmer group membership significantly influenced adoption for combined organic and inorganic fertilizers (p ¼ 0.045) and Zai pit (p ¼ 0.057) technologies. Extension agents should increase their interactions with farmers after the introduction of technologies. Equally use of demonstrations should be
encouraged during the dissemination of these technologies among the farmers as they enhance the chances of
adoption of the technologies.
Description
A Research Article in the Heliyon
Keywords
Communication factors, Adoption, Integrated soil fertility management, Soil water conservation technologies
Citation
Njenga, M. W., Mugwe, J. N., Mogaka, H., Nyabuga, G., Kiboi, M., Ngetich, F., ... & Mugendi, D. (2021). Communication factors influencing adoption of soil and water conservation technologies in the dry zones of Tharaka-Nithi County, Kenya. Heliyon, 7(10), e08236.