Determinants of Stevia (stevia rebaudiana) Adoption by Small Scale Farmers in Kericho District, Kenya

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the socio-economic and institutional factors influencing Stevia adoption in Kericho District Kenya. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from farmers both adopters and non adopters of Stevia through face to face interviews where purposive sampling methods were employed respectively and 150 respondents were contacted in total. Heckman two-step regression analysis was used to determine factors affecting Stevia adoption as well as the extent of adoption. The results showed that group membership, gender, education extension services and individual land ownership significantly and positively affected the adoption of Stevia while age was significant with negative effect.  Household size, farm size, revenue from Stevia and access to extension services significantly and positively influenced the extent of adoption. In conclusion, there is need for more effort in terms of extension service so as to encourage farmers to adopt improved crop varieties through demonstrations on farmers' fields, field days, farm visits and agricultural shows and also development of institutional strategies to support farmers. Therefore policy interventions is recommended to enhance access to credit, reduce illiteracy levels among farmers through training and extension services.

Keywords: Stevia, adoption, socioeconomic factors