Socio-economic factors affecting agro-forestry technology adoption in Nyando, Kenya

Abstract

Agro-forestry (AFR) technologies are perceived to improve livelihoods and natural resource sustainability of the rural households. Despite their aggressive promotion by multiple national and international agencies, the adoption of AFR technologies has been minimal in Kenya. This study conducted a survey to examine the socio-economic factors that affect the adoption process in Nyando, Kenya. Results revealed that farmers with bigger farms and higher education were more likely to adopt the new technology. Additionally, farmers were quicker to adopt technology if they had an increase in crop yields and had stayed longer in the study area. Generally, wealthier famers tended to adopt more AFR technology than those with less income. Access to information was the only factor strongly correlated with the rest of the independent variables. The results suggest that, adoption would be more enhanced with a clear focus on extension activities, income enhancing AFR practices and soil amelioration technologies. This study may be replicated in other parts of Kenya and East Africa to improve the level of AFR technology adoption for sustainable rural development.

Keywords

• adoption
• agro-forestry technologies
• farmers
• socio-economic factors