FACTORS DRIVING ADOPTION OF AGRO-ECOLOGICAL PRACTICES AMONG SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN KANGUNDO SUB-COUNTY, KENYA
Keywords:
Agro-ecological Practices, Smallholder farmers, Drivers of AdoptionAbstract
Agroecology is a key component of Climate-Smart Agriculture technologies advocated for among smallholder farmers by various agricultural programs. However, many farmers abandon these practices after the end of agricultural projects. This study aimed to investigate the drivers of agroecology agriculture adoption among smallholder farmers in Kangundo Sub-County. Utilizing a combination of purposive and snowball sampling, 41 agroecology smallholder farmers were selected. Primary data was collected using interview guides developed through the Kobo Collect App. Descriptive statistics and quantitative analysis, including simple linear regression, was employed to analyse the collected data. The findings of this study underscore the multifaceted nature of factors influencing the adoption of agroecological practices. Statistically significant evidence (p > .05) identified several key drivers positively affecting the adoption of agroecological practices. These drivers include the type of group (agricultural or non- agricultural), farmer category (lead or follower farmer), interaction with agricultural officers, level of involvement in a group (active or passive members), and group membership. These findings highlight the importance of social networks, group dynamics, and access to support services in facilitating the adoption of agroecological practices among smallholder farmers. In addition, the study also revealed land size, abandonment of other farming practices, household formal employment, and labour requirements as some of the factors hindering the adoption of agroecological practices in the area. Addressing these barriers is crucial for promoting the widespread adoption of sustainable agricultural practices and enhancing agricultural productivity and resilience.
References
Adamaagashi, I., Juda, A., & Erezi, E. (2023). Assessing the Impact of Farmer-to-Farmer Communication Networks on Knowledge Sharing and Adoption of Sustainable Agricultural Practices in Africa. International Journal of Agriculture and Earth Science, 9(4)58-76.
Adenuga, A.H., Jack, C., & McCarry, R. (2021). The Case for Long-Term Land Leasing: A Review of the Empirical Literature. Land, 10(3), 238
Ahmed, M.M., Sharif, U., Raza, A., Safdar, M., Ali, P., Asim, M., Muzammal, H., Sattar, J., Khan, R., Maqbool, S., & Zaheer, M. (2024). Climate-Smart Agriculture for Resilience and Profitability. In M. Muhammad (Ed.), Sustainable Practices for Agriculture and Marketing Convergence (pp. 324). IGI Global.
Akanmu, A.O., Akol, A.M., Ndolo, D.O., Kutu, F.R., & Babalola, O.O. (2023). Agroecological techniques: adoption of safe and sustainable agricultural practices among the smallholder farmers in Africa. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 7.
Altieri, M., Nicholls, C., Henao, A., & Lana, M. (2015). Agroecology and the design of climate change-resilient farming systems. Agronomy for Sustainable Development, 35, 869–890.
Barrios, E., Gemmill-Herren, B., Bicksler, A., Siliprandi, E., Brathwaite, R., Moller, S., …Tittonell, P. (2020). The 10 Elements of Agroecology: enabling transitions towards sustainable agriculture and food systems through visual narratives. Ecosystems and People, 16 (1), 230–247.
Belay, A., Oludhe, C., Mirzabaev, A., Recha, J. W., Berhane, Z., Osano, P. M., Demissie, T., Olaka, L. A., & Solomon, D. (2022). Knowledge of climate change and adaptation by smallholder farmers: evidence from southern Ethiopia. Heliyon, 8 (12).
Bwalya, Bridget & Mutandwa, Edward & Chiluba, Brian. (2023). Awareness and Use of Sustainable Land Management Practices in Smallholder Farming Systems. Sustainability. 15(20), 14660.
Carolina, Q., Alejandra, A., & Nadine, A. (2024). Evidence of agroecology’s contribution to mitigation, adaptation, and resilience under climate variability and change in Latin America. Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems, 48 (2), 228–252.
Cheney, A. M., Barrera, T., Rodriguez, K., & Jaramillo López, A. M. (2022). The Intersection of Workplace and Environmental Exposure on Health in Latinx Farm Working Communities in Rural Inland Southern California. International journal of environmental research and public health, 19 (19), 12940.
Coulibaly, A., Motelica-Heino, M., & Hien, E. (2019). Determinants of Agroecological Practices Adoption in the Sudano-Sahelian Zone. Journal of Environmental Protection, 10(7).
Emerick, K., & Dar, M. (2020). Farmer Field Days and Demonstrator Selection for Increasing Technology Adoption.
The Review of Economics and Statistics, 1-41.
Erezi, E., Ehi, O., & Ayodeji, O. (2023). Promoting Sustainable Agriculture and Climate Resilience in African Nations. International Journal of Agriculture and Earth Science, 9, 27-45.
Eshetae, M.A., Abera, W., Tamene, L., Mulatu, K., & Tesfaye, A. (2024). Understanding farm typology for targeting agricultural development in mixed crop-livestock farming systems of Ethiopia. Farming System, 2(3), 100088.
Ewert, F., Baatz, R., & Finger, R. (2023). Agroecology for a Sustainable Agriculture and Food System: From Local Solutions to Large-Scale Adoption. Annual Review of Resource Economics, 15:351-381.
Gairola, A., & Nithinkumar, K. (2023). Soil Conservation Methods: Agronomic Measures and Vegetative Barriers. In
Frontiers in Agricultural Sustainability (pp. 157-172). Integrated Publications TM.
Gao, Y., Zhao, D., Yu, L., & Yang, H. (2020). Influence of a new agricultural technology extension mode on farmers' technology adoption behavior in China. Journal of Rural Studies 76(3).
Gebre, G.G., Isoda, H., Rahut, D.B., Amekawa, Y., & Nomura, H. (2019). Gender differences in the adoption of agricultural technology: The case of improved maize varieties in southern Ethiopia. Women's Studies International Forum, 76, 102264.
Ghali, M., Ben Jaballah, M., Ben Arfa, N., et al. (2022). Analysis of factors that influence adoption of agroecological practices in viticulture. Review of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Studies, 103, 179–209.
Kliem, L. (2024). Strengthening agroecological resilience through commons-based seed governance in the Philippines. Environ Dev Sustain, 26, 5367–5399.
Maitra, S., Hossain, A., Brestic, M., Skalicky, M., Ondrisik, P., Gitari, H., Brahmachari, K., Shankar, T., Bhadra, P., Palai, J.B., et al. (2021). Intercropping—A Low Input Agricultural Strategy for Food and Environmental Security. Agronomy, 11(2), 343.
Makate, C. (2019). Effective scaling of climate smart agriculture innovations in African smallholder agriculture: A review of approaches, policy and institutional strategy needs. Environmental Science & Policy, 96, 37-51.
Masere, T. P., & Worth, S. H. (2022). Factors influencing adoption, innovation of new technology and decision- making by small-scale resource-constrained farmers: The perspective of farmers in Lower Gweru, Zimbabwe. African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development, 22 (3), 20013-20035.
Mbithi, E.M. (2018). Assessment of household land size and uses for sustainable food and livelihood security in maize farming systems: Case study of Matetani Sub-location, Kangundo Sub-county, Machakos County. PhD Thesis. University of Nairobi
Masca, U., Kyule N. M & Bor, E.K.(2022). Does access to credit influence the adoption of good agricultural practices? The case of smallholder potato farmers in Molo Sub-County, Kenya. Journal of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, 14(1), 24-32.
Muriithi, L., Onyari, C., Mogaka, R., Gichimu, B., Gatumo, G., & Kwena, K. (2021). Adoption Determinants of Adapted Climate Smart Agriculture Technologies Among Smallholder Farmers in Machakos, Makueni, and Kitui Counties of Kenya. Journal of Agricultural Extension, 25, 75-85.
Mutyasira, V., Hoag, D., Pendell, D., & Yildiz, F. (2018). The adoption of sustainable agricultural practices by smallholder farmers in Ethiopian highlands: An integrative approach. Cogent Food & Agriculture, 4 (1).
Odendo, M., Obare, G., & Salasya, B. (2010). Farmers' perceptions and knowledge of soil fertility degradation in two contrasting sites in Western Kenya. Land Degradation & Development, 21, 557-564.
Olum, S., Gellynck, X., Juvinal, J., Ongeng, D., & De Steur, H. (2020). Farmers’ adoption of agricultural innovations: A systematic review on willingness to pay studies. Outlook on Agriculture, 49(3), 187-203.
Place, F., Niederle, P., Sinclair, F., Estrada-Carmona, N., Gueneau, S. G. E., Gitz, V., Alpha, A., Sabourin, E., & Hainzelin, E. (2022). Agroecologically-conducive policies: A review of recent advances and remaining challenges. Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF). https://doi.org/10.17528/cifor-icraf/008593
PolonioPunzano, A., Rahmani, D., & Cabello Delgado, M.d.M. (2021). Adoption and Diffusion of Agroecological Practices in the Horticulture of Catalonia.Agronomy, 11, 1959. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11101959
Ricart, S., Gandolfi, C., & Castelletti, A. (2023). Climate change awareness, perceived impacts, and adaptation from farmers’ experience and behavior: a triple-loop review. Reg Environ Change, 23, 82.
Nyawira, S. S., Bolo, P., Ntinyari, W., Orero, L., Onyango, K., Manjella, A., Sakha, M., Owili, S. O., Gumo, P., Mbelwa, M., Korir, H., & Fuchs, L. E. (2023). A desk-top review of the context of agroecological principles of Kiambu and Makueni counties. Kenya Context Assessment Report, Agroecology Initiative. Retrieved from https://www.cgiar.org/initiative/agroecology/
Sjakir, M., Awang, A., Azima, A., Hussain, M., & Zaimah, R. (2015). Learning and Technology Adoption Impacts on Farmer’s Productivity. Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, 6(4)3, 126.
Taruvinga, A., Kambanje, A., Mushunje, A., et al. (2022). Determinants of livestock species ownership at household level: Evidence from rural OR Tambo District Municipality, South Africa. Pastoralism, 12(8).
Theis, S., Lefore, N., Meinzen-Dick, R., et al. (2018). What happens after technology adoption? Gendered aspects of small-scale irrigation technologies in Ethiopia, Ghana, and Tanzania. Agriculture and Human Values, 35, 671–684.
Tufa, A. H., Kanyamuka, J. S., Alene, A., Ngoma, H., Marenya, P. P., Thierfelder, C., Banda, H., & Chikoye, D. (2023). Analysis of adoption of conservation agriculture practices in southern Africa: mixed-methods approach. Front. Sustain. Food Syst., 7, 1151876.
Wanjira, E., & Muriuki, J. (2020). Review of the Status of Agroforestry Practices in Kenya. Background study for preparation of Kenya National Agroforestry Strategy (2021-2030).
Wezel, A., Herren, B. G., Kerr, R. B., et al. (2020). Agroecological principles and elements and their implications for transitioning to sustainable food systems. A review. Agron. Sustain. Dev., 40, 40.
Xu, Z., Li, J., & Ma, J. (2022). Impacts of Extension Contact on the Adoption of Formulated Fertilizers and Farm Performance among Large-Scale Farms in Rural China. Land, 11, 1974.
Zulu, O. (2017). Determinants of conservation agriculture adoption among Zambian smallholder farmers (Working Paper No. 114). Ndaba Agricultural Policy Research Institute.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 FLUENT PUBLISHERS JOURNAL
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Creative Commons License (CC BY 4.0)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
You are free to:
- Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium, format, or platform.
- Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially.
Under the following terms:
- Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
For more details about the license and how to attribute, please visit the Creative Commons website.
