Farmer Groups’ Characteristics Influencing Application of Soil Fertility Technologies in The Central Highlands of Kenya

Abstract

Declining soil fertility is a major problem in East and Central Africa. Soil fertility enhancement (SFE) technologies have been developed, but their uptake has remained low. This first study assessed the influence of farmer groups’ characteristics on the technology application. The study was carried out in Mbeere South and Maara sub-counties in Kenya. Interview schedules were administered to a total sample of 60 farmer groups. Data were analysed using SPSS software. Variables that influenced groups’ application of animal manure were: group size (p=0.019), frequency of group meetings (p=0.050) and the number of females in the group (p=0.027). Variables that influenced application of fertilizer included: Tropical livestock unit (p=0.045), group formation prompt (p=0.098) and qualification into group membership (p=0.028). Variables that influenced application of a combination included: reason for applying a combination (p=0.003), number of females in the group (p=0.067) and group gender (p=0.056). This information will be helpful to the groups, researchers, policy makers, farmers’ training designers and other stakeholders wishing to disseminate technologies in natural resource management programmes.