Factors Affecting Use Levels of Farmyard Manure in Vihiga County, Kenya

Abstract

Several studies have been done to determine factors affecting adoption of new technologies. However, few or no studies have been carried out to determine factors believed to affect use level of recommended technology packages. Majority of farmers in the study area had used farmyard manure in crop production. Framers however used suboptimal levels resulting in low crop yields. This happens despite the fact that farmers are aware of the recommended levels needed for appreciable yields to be realized. Studies need to be done to determine why farmers use suboptimal levels of farmyard materials in the study area. The study analyzed the factors believed to affect intensity of use of farmyard fertilizers with the aim of identifying the role each factor plays in determining level of use of farmyard fertilizers among smallholder farmers. Stratified random sampling was used to select respondents. A total of 120 farmers were selected to provide data needed for the study. Data was collected from three out of six divisions of Vihiga County. At least 30 farmers were selected from each division. Primary data was collected using questionnaires and data collected was analyzed using regression analysis. The results of the analysis indicated that a number of factors were significant in determining use levels of farmyard manure. Out of the ten factors believed to affect use intensity of farmyard manure, five were statistically significant at 95% confidence level. The results of the regression analysis showed that education level of decision-maker, farm size, income of household, availability of labor and access to manure were significant at 95% level in explaining use intensity of farmyard manure in the study area. The study recommended that factors affecting use levels of farm yard manure be addressed with the aim improving the amounts used in order to bridge the gap between the current use level and the recommended level of farmyard fertilizers among smallholder farmers.

Keywords: Factors affecting, Use Levels, Farmyard Manure, Kenya

DOI: 10.7176/JESD/12-24-05

Publication date: December 31^st 2021