Influence of Farm’s Characteristics on Adoption of Eco-Friendly Farming Practices in Agroecosystems of Embu County, Kenya

Abstract

There is a close association between agriculture and the environment. Agriculture is one of the main economic activities that depends on and influences a number of environmental resources including water, land and biodiversity as well as production technologies and management skills. In the pursuit of feeding the rapidly increasing world population, some widespread agricultural practices have contributed to loss of biodiversity, acidification, soil erosion, unsustainable production and salinization. To simultaneously address these environmental challenges and ensure sustainable production, environmentalists have recommended a paradigm shift. This has led to promotion of Eco-Friendly Farming Practices (EFFPs) among farmers. EFFPs are farming activities that ensure optimum farm production and simultaneously maintain the environmental integrity of the agroecosystems within which they occur. However, despite the effort made in promoting EFFPs among farming households in Kenya, the adoption rates have varied greatly. This study was conducted in the agroecosystems of Embu County in Kenya to evaluate the Eco-Friendly Farming Practices (EFFPs). The purpose of the study was to find out the influence of farm’s characteristics on adoption of the EFFPs. Ex post facto research design was used and through a multi-stage random sampling technique, 240 household farms were selected for the study. Soil pH, Farms’ slopes, soil moisture and carbon content were determined and their relationship with EFFPs established. Slope of the farm had a statistically significant relationship with adoption of EFFPs. Levels of soil moisture were positively influencing adoption of EFFPs. Therefore the farms’ biophysical characteristics need to be evaluated as EFFPs and related technologies are introduced on farms.