Browsing by Author "Mugendi, Daniel"

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  • Publication
    Publication
    Communication factors influencing adoption of soil and water conservation technologies in the dry zones of Tharaka-Nithi County, Kenya
    (Elsevier, 2021) Njenga, Maureen Wairimu; Mugwe, Jayne Njeri; Mogaka, Hezron; Nyabuga, George; Kiboi, Milka; Ngetich, Felix; Mucheru-Muna, Monicah; Sijali, Isaya; Mugendi, Daniel
    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 = 0.056), mulch (p = 0.051), and Zai pit (p = 0.058). Similarly, practical orientation significantly influenced the adoption of combined organic and inorganic fertilizers (p = 0.001), mulch (p = 0.010), and Zai pit (p = 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 = 0.030) and (p = 0.001) respectively, while farmer group membership significantly influenced adoption for combined organic and inorganic fertilizers (p = 0.045) and Zai pit (p = 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.
  • Publication
    Publication
    Communication factors influencing adoption of soil and water conservation technologies in the dry zones of Tharaka-Nithi County, Kenya
    (Heliyon, 2021-10-21) Njenga, Maureen Wairimu; Mugwe, Jayne Njeri; Mogaka, Hezron; Nyabuga, George; Kiboi, Milka; Ngetich, Felix; Mucheru-Muna, Monicah; Sijali, Isaya; Mugendi, Daniel
    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 = 0.056), mulch (p = 0.051), and Zai pit (p = 0.058). Similarly, practical orientation significantly influenced the adoption of combined organic and inorganic fertilizers (p = 0.001), mulch (p = 0.010), and Zai pit (p = 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 = 0.030) and (p = 0.001) respectively, while farmer group membership significantly influenced adoption for combined organic and inorganic fertilizers (p = 0.045) and Zai pit (p = 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.
  • Publication
    Publication
    Determinants of farmers’ knowledge on soil and water conservation technologies in dry zones of Central Highlands, Kenya
    (Journal of Agricultural Extension, 2021-11-15) Njenga, Maureen W.; Mugwe, Jayne N.; Mogaka, Hezron R.; Nyabuga, George; Oduor, Nathan; Kiboi, Milka; Ngetich, Felix; Mucheru-Muna, Monicah; Sijali, Isaya; Mugendi, Daniel
    This study ascertained the socioeconomic determinants of farmers’ knowledge on soil and water conservation technologies in Dry zones of Central Highlands of Kenya involving 400 farming households. Results showed that the majority of the farmers had inadequate knowledge on the use and benefits of soil and water conservation technologies. The socio-economic factors that influence knowledge levels of the knowledge-intensive technologies were education level, gender, perceptions on soil fertility, farmer group membership, access to training, farm size, access to credit, number of livestock kept and access to farm equipment. This implies that there is the need to come up with an all-inclusive policy that can be employed in improving farmer’s level of knowledge through the use of more innovative methods of information dissemination. This can be done by strengthening the existing farmer groups, enhancing extension services, and also formulating gender-friendly policies.
  • Publication
    Publication
    Determinants of farmers’ knowledge on soil and water conservation technologies in dry zones of Central Highlands, Kenya
    (Journal of Agricultural Extension, 2021) Njenga, Maureen W.; Mugwe, Jayne N.; Mogaka, Hezron R.; Nyabuga, George; Oduor, Nathan; Kiboi, Milka; Ngetich, Felix; Mucheru-Muna, Monicah; Sijali, Isaya; Mugendi, Daniel
    This study ascertained the socioeconomic determinants of farmers’ knowledge on soil and water conservation technologies in Dry zones of Central Highlands of Kenya involving 400 farming households. Results showed that the majority of the farmers had inadequate knowledge on the use and benefits of soil and water conservation technologies. The socio-economic factors that influence knowledge levels of the knowledge-intensive technologies were education level, gender, perceptions on soil fertility, farmer group membership, access to training, farm size, access to credit, number of livestock kept and access to farm equipment. This implies that there is the need to come up with an all-inclusive policy that can be employed in improving farmer’s level of knowledge through the use of more innovative methods of information dissemination. This can be done by strengthening the existing farmer groups, enhancing extension services, and also formulating gender-friendly policies.
  • Publication
    Publication
    Enhancing Water Use Efficiency Through Integrated Soil Management Practices in the Drylands of Kenya
    (Elsevier, 2022-02-16) Oduor, Nathan Okoth; Mucheru-Muna, Monicah; Mugwe, Jayne N.; Sijali, Isaya; Nyabuga, George; Mugendi, Daniel
    Low water use efficiency in the dryland regions contributes to the low crop productivity. We assessed how selected soil management strategies affect soil moisture, and water use efficiency in the drylands of Tharaka-Nithi County in Kenya. The experiment was laid in a randomized complete block design and replicated four times. Three (120 N kg ha -1 , 60 N kg ha -1 , and 30 N kg ha -1 ) by three (Minimum tillage with mulch, tied ridges and conventional tillage) split plot arrangement was used to assess the interaction effect of soil fertility and soil & water conservation practices. Treatment combinations included manure + fertilizer + tied ridging under 120 N kg ha -1 , 60 N kg ha -1 and 30 N kg ha -1 ; manure + fertilizer + minimum tillage with crop residue mulch under 120 N kg ha -1 , 60 N kg ha -1 and 30 N kg ha -1 ; manure + fertilizer + conventional tillage under 120 N kg ha -1 , 60 N kg ha -1 and 30 N kg ha -1 ; Managing Beneficial Interactions in Legume Intercrops (MBILI) with 60 N kg ha -1 ; MBILI (Not fertilized); and the control. Minimum tillage with residue mulch had the highest soil moisture and water use efficiency followed by tied ridges, then conventional tillage. Manure plus fertilizer application at 30 N kg ha -1 had the highest soil moisture content, followed by 60 N kg ha -1 , then 120 N kg ha -1 . For water use efficiency, the highest was 120 N kg ha -1 followed by 60 N kg ha -1 , then 30 N kg ha -1 . Combination of soil and water conservation and soil fertility practices increased soil moisture by 30-91% and water use efficiency by 77-90% across the seasons and crop growth stages. The best treatment combination was manure + fertilizer (120 N kg ha -1 ) + minimum tillage with mulch.