Farmers' perceptions and economic analysis of factors affecting farm-level maize enterprisee and adoption of agricultural technological innovations in semi-arid South Eastern Kenya

Abstract

This thesis investigates factors which influence maize enterprise performance and the adoption of an improved maize cultivar, Katumani Composite B (KCB), among subsistence farmers in Kenya's semi-arid south eastem region. Also examined were the perceptions conceming maize production constraints in the region and the advantages and disadvantages of using the cultivar. Empirical analysis was based on cross-sectional farm survey data gathered by means of a questionnaire from a random sample of 96 farmers to whom KCB was available. Maize enterprise performance was measured quantitatively in terms of output (yield) per acre under maize in 1990 whereas adoption was measured qualitatively as a dichotomous variable in terms of adopters and non-adopters. Statistical analysis was based on two dependence models; (1) Multiple Linear Regression and (2) Multiple Logistic Regression. Additionally, descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests of statistical independence were used. Linear regression results suggest that selling price of maize, percentage of land under maize, farming experience, use of inorganic fertilizers, and contact with agricultural extension agents are the most important factors influencing farm-level maize enterprise performance. Interestingly, the Logistic Regression results suggest that the use of hired labour, family size and off-farm employment are the most important factors influencing the adoption of KCB, even though this usage was not a significant factor in the previous results. Further, inadequate rainfall, infertile soils and high cost of inorganic fertilizers were shown to be the major constraints to regional maize production perceived by farmers. Also, farmers perceived early maturity and the high cost of seed to be the main advantage and disadvantage of KCB, respectively. In general, however, farmers in the study region seem to have some contradictory perceptions regarding technical information about KCB.