Knowledge, Attitude, Practice And Ex-Ante Adoption Of Intergrated Pest And Pollination Management (Ippm) Innovation Among Avocado Growers In Kenya

Abstract

Despite avocado being the fourth most important fruit crop in Kenya after mango, pineapple and the banana, its economic potential is yet to be fully explored. The crop is pollinator dependent crop and its production is hampered by pests such as Fruit fly, False Codling Moth (FCM) and Thrips. To curb these pests, ICIPE and partners have promoted the dissemination of various Integrated Pest Management (IPM) technologies for several crop pests. However, these IPM technologies have been promoted separately without integration of pollinator services. Thus, ICIPE and partners proposed the introduction of Integrated Pest and Pollinator Management (IPPM) innovation which guarantees more quality yield and income for avocado growers. Since avocado growers’ knowledge, attitude, practices (KAP) and willingness to pay for IPPM innovation is not known, this study sought to conduct an ex-ante intervention introduction that would help gain background information on avocado growers’ knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) towards management of avocado pests, IPM components and the pollination process. Secondly, the study sought to predict avocado growers’ adoption options and to determine their willingness to pay value for the IPPM innovation. Empirical models were applied to a database of 417 sample avocado growing households in Murang’a County, Kenya. The results demonstrate a positive relationship between KAP, the level of education of the household head, and attendance of pest and disease management training. Credit constraint proved to be a hinderance to the likelihood of acquiring KAP for avocado growers. The probability of avocado growers to adopt IPPM innovation was influenced by increase in age and education level of the household head. Finally, avocado growers were willing to pay KES. 21,437 for IPPM technology, KES. 7,674 for the beehive package and KES. 6,106 for IPM package, and this was influenced by a number of factors including the increase in farm size. Derived recommendations from this study were that policies that encourage best practices in agricultural extension education and social capital should be strengthened to ensure that avocado growers maximize on benefits from IPPM innovation.