Publication: Drivers of Organic Fertiliser Adoption and Use Intensity Among Smallholder Maize Farmers in Lake Victoria Region, Western Kenya
Loading...
Total Views 0
total viewsTotal Downloads 2
total downloadsDate
2025
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Funder
NRF
Publisher
Cite this Item
Abstract
Smallholder farmers account for about 75% of maize production in Kenya. The current average on
farm productivity is 1.43 ton/ha against the potential of 6 ton/ha. In Western Kenya, low soil organic carbon is
one of the contributors to the low maize productivity. Studies have shown that organic fertilizers contribute
towards increase in soil productivity. However, there is paucity of information on the relationship between
drivers of organic fertilizers adoption and use intensity among the farmers, which the study seeks to address. A
total of 358 farmers were interviewed in the 2020/21 growing seasons. Heckman’s two-stage model was
estimated. The results demonstrate that age, education, gender, soil quality perception and access to supportive
resources are pivotal in shaping organic farming decisions. There is need for targeted extension services to less
educated and older farmers. Off-farm income generation should be encouraged. Integrated soil fertility
management approaches that address nutrient replenishment and soil erosion control is necessary, and there is
need to promote mechanization or subsidization of organic fertilizer application on larger farms as this may
help overcome labour constraints and improve organic fertilizer adoption on a broader scale. The results may
be a source of literature for subsequent studies in related fields.
Description
Keywords
Drivers of organic fertilizer, Use intensity, Heckman Two-Stage, Maize, Western Kenya