Communication Factors Influencing Adoption of Soil and Water Conservation Technologies in the Dry Zones of Tharaka-Nithi County, Kenya

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dc.contributor.authorNjenga, Maureen Wairimu
dc.contributor.authorMugwe, Jayne Njeri
dc.contributor.authorMogaka, Hezron
dc.contributor.authorNyabuga, George
dc.contributor.authorKiboi, Milka
dc.contributor.authorNgetich, Felix
dc.contributor.authorMucheru-Muna, Monicah
dc.contributor.authorSijali, Isaya
dc.contributor.authorMugendi, Daniel
dc.date.accessioned2022-02-23T13:00:29Z
dc.date.available2022-02-23T13:00:29Z
dc.date.issued2021-10-19
dc.descriptionA Research Article in the Heliyonen_US
dc.description.abstractIntegrated 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.en_US
dc.description.sponsorshipFlemish Interuniversity CouncilUniversity Development Co-operation through the VLIR-UOS Project on climate-smart options allowing agricultural intensification among smallholder farmers in the dry zones of the central highlands of Kenya.en_US
dc.identifier.citationNjenga, 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.en_US
dc.identifier.issn2405-8440
dc.identifier.urihttp://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/23180
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.subjectCommunication factorsen_US
dc.subjectAdoptionen_US
dc.subjectIntegrated soil fertility managementen_US
dc.subjectSoil water conservation technologiesen_US
dc.titleCommunication Factors Influencing Adoption of Soil and Water Conservation Technologies in the Dry Zones of Tharaka-Nithi County, Kenyaen_US
dc.typeArticleen_US
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