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Prospects and constraints in smallholder farmers' adoption of multiple soil carbon enhancing practices in Western Kenya.

ABSTRACT: Most smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are adversely affected by low soil fertility, land degradation and climate change-related shocks such as drought. These problems lead to low productivity and low household income. In addition, the adoption of soil carbon enhancing practices remains low in Western Kenya. This study analyses the factors that influence the probability and extent of adoption of soil carbon enhancing practices in Western Kenya utilizing plot-level information, socioeconomic characteristics and external supporting factors. Multivariate probit model and generalized ordered logit were utilized to assess the adoption of multiple soil carbon enhancing practices and the extent of adoption respectively. Results indicate that the adoption of soil carbon enhancing practices is correlated, suggesting interrelation in farmers' adoption decisions. Both the multivariate probit model and generalized ordered probit results indicate that the probability and extent of adoption of soil carbon enhancing practices are influenced by plot-level characteristics, literacy level, access to agricultural credit, agricultural group membership, participation in the market, and gender of the household.

SUBMITTER: Kanyenji GM

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7075800 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Prospects and constraints in smallholder farmers' adoption of multiple soil carbon enhancing practices in Western Kenya.

Kanyenji George Magambo GM Oluoch-Kosura Willis W Onyango Cecilia Moraa CM Ng'ang'a Stanley Karanja SK

Heliyon 20200312 3

Most smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are adversely affected by low soil fertility, land degradation and climate change-related shocks such as drought. These problems lead to low productivity and low household income. In addition, the adoption of soil carbon enhancing practices remains low in Western Kenya. This study analyses the factors that influence the probability and extent of adoption of soil carbon enhancing practices in Western Kenya utilizing plot-level information, soci ...[more]

PMID: 32195381

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Project description:Declining soil fertility is one of the major causes of food insecurity and high levels of poverty, both of which tend to hamper economic development in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). To improve soil fertility, the implementation of soil organic carbon (SOC) enhancement technologies has become crucial to slowing land degradation, through increasing SOC, which is the basis of soil fertility. Using data from 381 households from Azuga-Suba and Yesir watersheds in Ethiopia, this study explores the extent of the adoption of technologies that enhance SOC. Soil organic carbon enhancing technologies include the use of manure, fertilizer, and crop residue management. The Probit model was used to assess what constrains the adoption of these technologies. The results indicate that fertilizer is the most adopted technology having over 90% adoption in both watersheds. Manure at 28% and 56% adoption while crop residue management at 37% and 26% adoption in Azuga-Suba and Yesir respectively. Technology adoption is highly constrained by lack of education, access to extension services, and access to credit services. Institutions and local farmer groups influence these constraints through training, provision of information, offering incentives, and credit services. Large plots hinder the use of manure and fertilizer due to the bulky nature of manure and the high costs of fertilizers. Insecurity in land tenure limits the adoption of manure and residue management. Perception of soil erosion and soil fertility tends to constrain the adoption of SOC technologies, as farmers are afraid that all improvements through soil amendment will be diminished through soil erosion. At the same time, farmers do not perceive the importance of SOC enhancing technologies in plots that were fertile. These results imply that strengthening institutions that enhance farmers' knowledge and provide credit as well as strengthening social protection schemes and farmer groups is crucial in promoting the adoption of these technologies.

Dataset Information

Prospects and constraints in smallholder farmers' adoption of multiple soil carbon enhancing practices in Western Kenya.

Publications

Prospects and constraints in smallholder farmers' adoption of multiple soil carbon enhancing practices in Western Kenya.

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