Influence of Land Size on Adoption of Jatropha Curcas in Yatta District, Kenya

Abstract

This study investigated how total land size owned influenced Jatropha curcas adoption in Yatta District. The study applied quantitative research method where questionnaires were administered to 240 respondents selected through multi-stage sampling technique. Data analysis was carried out using regression analysis and chi square test. It was found that farmers who had adopted Jatropha curcas cultivation were significantly low at 15.4%. It was also found that total land size owned was not a major factor influencing land size allocated to Jatropha cultivation since total land size owned accounted for only 28% variance of land size allocated to Jatropha cultivation and 78% of respondents were not willing to convert their pasture lands to Jatropha farms. An area of 248 acres was under Jatropha cultivation in the district which is equivalent to 0.038% of the total district area coverage. It was concluded that adoption of Jatropha in Yatta District was low. There was a negative correlation between total land size owned and land size allocated to Jatropha cultivation. Total land size owned did not have substantial influence on size of land allocated to Jatropha cultivation as willingness to convert pasture land to Jatropha farms, lack of alternative land for farming, land tenure and control and population density influenced on land size allocated to Jatropha cultivation.

Keywords: Adoption; ASALs; Biofuels; Jatropha Curcas; Yatta District.