Smallholder Farmers’ Adoption of the New Rice for Africa (Nerica) Technology and Its Contribution to Food Security in Migori County, Kenya

Abstract

Kenya’s agriculture sector is significant for smallholder households because it supports their livelihoods and food security. Adoption of agricultural technologies has been documented as one of the vital approaches to improve smallholder farmers’ productivity. However, empirical studies have reported that the uptake of these technologies has not yet been addressed by the farmers adequately. The national policy documents have equally documented the government efforts in addressing food security and adoption of agricultural technologies has been emphasized therein. Despite these efforts, the situation seems to remain dire. The policy documents indicate that Kenya imports basic food commodities that impact on foreign exchange. Among these technologies to address food security is the New Rice For Africa (NERICA) technology that was introduced in Migori County in 2009. The main objective of this study was to assess the farmers’ uptake of the New Rice for Africa agricultural technology and its role in addressing the food security and livelihoods situation in Migori County. The research assessed the effect of farmer characteristics; farmers’ previous farming experiences; socio-cultural norms; social networks, and extension education and support on adoption of NERICA technologies as well as the contribution of NERICA technologies to smallholder household food security. The research was carried out in Migori County, Kenya deploying a mixed-methods approach, a survey of 263 NERICA rice farmers and 8 focus group discussions were conducted in Uriri and Awendo Sub Counties of Migori County. Twenty-two (22) key informant interviews were also carried out with appropriate stakeholders. Data was collected using an open-ended questionnaire, interview guide and checklist of questions. Quantitative data from the questionnaires were analyzed using the SPSS computer software and the findings were presented in frequencies and percentages. Further, inferential statistics were carried out by use of Chi-square tests of significance to determine associations between the variables of research. Finally, the Pearson Product Moment Correlation was used to test the strength and direction of the association between the key variables. Qualitative data were transcribed and analyzed by means of thematic analysis. The findings indicated that there was low adoption by a majority of the farmers occasioned by land acreage planted to for NERICA which was very small, poor farming practices and the yields were low. Even though adoption was low, the farmers enjoyed some benefits including augmented incomes. The results additionally revealed that the bulk of the households did not have adequate food. NERICA technology enhanced the farmers’ household food security condition. Farmers characteristics were expected to stimulate adoption of NERICA rice and it was found that more of the pointers like age, marital status, education and size of the household did not have any effect on adoption while farmers’ assets ownership and level of income had an effect on adoption of NERICA rice. Results from previous farmers’ farming experiences disclosed that there was a statistical relationship between crop and livestock experiences and adoption of NERICA rice technology. In terms of Social Networks, the results exposed a statistically significant association between farmer group membership and support and adoption of NERICA rice technology. The study recommended the need for government food policies to emphasize adoption of relevant inputs and practices as a package to reduce the food insecurity and the trend towards commercial farming needs strengthening by the county extension services.