Department of Agricultural Economics

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Browsing Department of Agricultural Economics by Author "Gikunda, R. M."

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    Extension Education Needs for Improved Adoption of Sustainable Organic Agriculture in Central Kenya
    (Scientific & Academic Publishing, 2021) Gikunda, R. M.; Guo, W.; Boren-Alpizar, A. E.; Baker, M.; Lawver, D. E.
    The study highlights organic agriculture (OA) information gaps that need to be filled in order to upscale the adoption of OA practices. The survey data were gathered from 329 organic farmers selected through stratified random sampling from Central Kenya. An independent t-test, bivariate Moran’s I, and linear multiple regression were used to examine the differences in information access among organic farmers and relate OA advice to its sustainability. Information gaps exist in aspects of soil, water, weed, pest, and disease management. Certified organic farmers significantly differed from non-certified on access to OA advice, t (139.93) = -3.69, p < .05. Extension advice (Moran’s I = .02, p = .01) and sustainability of OA (Moran’s I = .04, p = .01) were slightly clustered. OA advice dimensions significantly accounted for 6% of the variance on the sustainability of OA, F (3, 319) = 6.14, p < .05, R2 = .06. Improved access to information relating to field management practices; soil, water, weed, pest, and disease management is crucial for sustainable organic crop production. Social networks should be strengthened to enhance information sharing among extension actors in the organic industry. The study adds to the knowledge of the spatial patterns of OA advice and the significance of extension advice on the sustainability of OA. This study illuminates the current knowledge gaps that exist among organic farmers, thus providing a basis upon which extension advice can be repackaged to meet the needs of the farmers.
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    Influence of Land Tenure and Farmer Income on Adoption of Indigenous Agricultural Practices in Chuka Sub-County, Kenya
    (2021) Gikunda, R. M.
    Indigenous agricultural practices (IAPs) are environmentally and agriculturally sustainable. Among the widely applied IAPs include crop rotation, agroforestry, intercropping, organic manure application, and minimum tillage. A lot of research has been conducted to reveal the determinants of adoption levels of modern technologies among smallholder farmers. However, little literature exists on factors that contribute to improved adoption of IAPs in Kenya. The research was aimed at determining the influence of land tenure and level of farm income on the adoption levels of IAPs in Chuka Sub-County. A descriptive correlational design was utilized to guide data collection and analysis. The study targeted a population of 22,400 smallholder farmers involving a sample of 100 participants selected through stratified sampling from Mugwe, Karingani, and Magumoni Wards. A semi-structured questionnaire was utilized as a data collection tool. A pilot study was conducted in Muthambi Ward to aid in the checking and improvement of validity of the research instrument. Hypothesis testing involved use of ANOVA and t- tests. The results indicated that land tenure had a significant large effect on the adoption of IAPs, F (2, 97) = 6.59, p = 0.002, ω2 = 0.10. Farm income had a significantly moderate effect on the adoption of IAPs t (97.00) = 4.57, p < .05. The adoption level of IAPs was still moderate given the low frequency of application by many smallholder farmers. The County Government and Ministry of Agriculture should give sufficient support to farmers, strengthen land tenure systems, and sensitize farmers on the importance of IAPs so as to increase the adoption.