factors influencing the adoption of modern agricultural technologies by small scale farmers

119 Pages·2016·1.7 MB·English

FACTORS INFLUENCING THE ADOPTION OF
MODERN AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGIES BY
SMALL SCALE FARMERS: THE CASE OF THIKA
EAST SUB-COUNTY, KENYA

BY
ROBIN NYANDIKA NGONGO

A Research Project Report Submitted In Partial Fulfillment For The Requirements
Of The Award Of Master Of Arts Degree In Project Planning And Management
Of The University Of Nairobi

2016
DECLARATION

This research project report is my original work and has not been presented for any award
in other institution.

Signature..................................................................Date......................................................

ROBIN NYANDIKA NGONGO
L50/76142/2014

This research project report has been submitted for examination with my approval as the
University supervisor.

Signature.............................................................................Date............................................

DR. NAOMI GIKONYO
SENIOR LECTURER,
DEPARTMENT OF DISTANCE STUDIES,
UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI

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DEDICATION
To my wife edinah, daughter Tiffany and my parents; Mr.John Nyangoto and Mrs Teresa
Nyaboke, my brother Caleb and my sister Loice for their moral and financial support
during this project undertaking. Without their support I would not have completed my
masters studies.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
With great humility I would like to sincerely thank and express my gratitude and
appreciation to the following people and institutions: First and foremost to my great
heavenly Father who answered my prayers giving me strength, patient and relevant
knowledge to complete my course work and this research project. My encouraging, able
and competent supervisor Dr. Naomi Gikonyo a senior lecturer in the Department of
Distance Studies who guided me positively throughout the course of this research project.
I also acknowledge and thank the University of Nairobi-Thika Extra mural centres‟
teaching and non-teaching sfaff.; Dr. Lydia Wambugu, Dr. Kianyajui Ng‟ng‟a and Mrs
Joyce Githae for their relentless effort and encouragemnt during the course work
completion. I also appreciate all my class 2014 collegue students at Thika Extra-Mural
Center.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
DECLARATION.................................................................................................................ii
DEDICATION....................................................................................................................iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT..................................................................................................iv
LIST OF TABLES...........................................................................................................viii
LIST OF FIGURES............................................................................................................x
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS..........................................................xi
ABSTRACT......................................................................................................................xii
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION.............................................................................1
1.1 Background of the study..............................................................................................1
1.2 Statement of the problem ............................................................................................4
1.3 Purpose of the study .....................................................................................................5
1.4 Objectives of the study.................................................................................................5
1.5 Research questions........................................................................................................6
1.6 Significance ofthe study................................................................................................6
1.7 Assumptions of the study.............................................................................................7
1.8 Limitations of the study...............................................................................................7
1.9 Delimitations of the study............................................................................................7
1.10 Defination of key terms used in study......................................................................8
1.11 Organization of the study.............................................................................................9

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW.............................................................10
2.1 Introduction…………………………………..………………...……….……………10
2.2 Adoption of modern agricultural technologies by small scale farmers………….......10
2.3 Resources and adoption of modern agricultural technologies……………………….13
2.4 Extension services and adoption of modern agricultural technologies……………...16
2.5 Modern agricultural technologies‟ information and adoption of modern agricultural
technologies……………………………………………………………………………...19
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2.6 Agricultural Research activities adoption of modern agricultural technologies……..22
2.7 Theoretical Framework………………………………………….……………….......25
2.8 Conceptual Framework …………………………………………………………..….28
2.9 Summary and Knowledge gaps in the literature review……………………………..30
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY...........................................33
3.1 Introduction..................................................................................................................33
3.2 Research Design..........................................................................................................33
3.3 Target Population.........................................................................................................33
3.4 Sample size and Sampling Techniques.......................................................................34
3.5 Research Instruments..................................................................................................36
3.6 Piloting the instruments...............................................................................................36
3.7 Validity of instruments................................................................................................37
3.8 Reliability of the instruments......................................................................................37
3.9 Data collection procedure...........................................................................................38
3.10 Data analyzing techniques........................................................................................38
3.11 Ethical Considerations...............................................................................................39
CHAPTER FOUR: DATA ANALYSIS, PRESENTATION, INTERPRETATION
AND DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS…………………………………………….....…42
4.1 Introduction……………………………………………………..………..…………..42
4.2 Research tools return rate…………………………………………………...………..42
4.3 Demographic information of the respondents……………………………………..…43
4.4 Influence of Resource factors on the adoption of modern agricultural
technologies………………………………………………………………………...……48
4.5 Influence of Extension services on the adoption of modern agricultural technologies
………………………………………………………………………………………...….57
4.6 Influence of Modern agricultural technologies‟ information on the adoption of
modern agricultural technologies…………………………………………….…..…..…..65
4.7 Influence of Agricultural research activities on the adoption of modern agricultural
technologies……………………………………………………………………….……..69
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CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND
RECOMMENDATIONS…………………….……………………….………………...76
5.1 Introduction…………………………………………………………………………..76
5.2 Summary of findings…………………………………………………………………76
5.4 Conclusions of the study……………………………………………………………..79
5.5 Recommendations of the study……………………………………………..………..81
5.6 Suggestions for future research……………………………………………………....82
REFERENCES.................................................................................................................84

Appendix 1: Letter of Transmittal for data collection instruments...................................92
Appendix 2: Questionnaire for different small scale farmers...........................................93
Appendix 3: Questionnaire for Extension Officers and Research Scientists…………100
Appendix 5: Research Authorization letter……………………………………….…..105
Appendix6: Research Permit…………………………………………………….…....106

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LIST OF TABLES
Table 2.1 Research Gaps...................................................................................................31
Table 3.1 Target population for the two categories of respondents..................................34
Table 3.2 Sample Population for the two categories of respondents................................36
Table 3.3 Operationalisation of variables..........................................................................40
Table 4.1 Research tools return rates.................................................................................43
Table 4.2 Respondents by gender......................................................................................44
Table 4.3 Respondents by age groups...............................................................................45
Table 4.4 Respondents by highest education level...........................................................46
Table 4.5 small scale farmers by average monthly income...............................................47
Table 4.6 Access to credit and loans facilities...................................................................49
Table 4.7 Rating of the levels of access to credit facilities................................................49
Table 4.8 Responses on challenges limiting access to loans and credit facilities............50
Table 4.9 Total land size for agricultural activities...........................................................52
Table 4.10 Access to agricultural inputs, modern machineries and equipments...........53
Table 4.11 Rating of the levels of availability of agricultural inputs to small scale
farmers...............................................................................................................................54
Table 4.12 Access to inputs by monthly income..............................................................55
Table 4.13 Monthly income and access to agricultural inputs Corrrelation....................56
Table 4.14 Challenges limiting the accesss to inputs........................................................57
Table 4.15 Access to extension services on modern agricultural technologies...............58
Table 4.16 Extension officers and Research scientists‟ rating of the level of access to
extension services by small scale farmers.........................................................................58
Table 4.17 Acess to extension services by average monthly income................................59
Table 4.18 Frequency of access to extension services by small farmers..........................60
Table 4.19 Frequency of provision of extension services by extension officers..............61
Table 4.20 Extension training methods and techniques.....................................................62
Table 4.21 Challenges hindering the access to extension services....................................63
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Table 4.22 Access to modern agricultural technolgies‟ information ................................66
Table 4.23 Information sources and communication channels accessed..........................67
Table 4.24 Information sources and communication channnels by highest education
level....................................................................................................................................68
Table 4.25 Access to Agricultural research centers, their research activities and
products..............................................................................................................................70
Table 4.26 Extension officers and Research scientists‟ responses on the access to
agricultural research centers, their research activities and products..................................70
Table 4.27 Rating of the levels of access to agricultural research centers, their research
activities and products .......................................................................................................71
Table 4.28 Access to agricultural research centers their research activities and products
by small scale farmers‟ average monthly income……………………………………..…72
Table 4.29 Agricultural research activities and products accessed………………………72
Table 4.28 Challenges limiting the access to to agricultural research centers their research
activities and products ......................................................................................................74

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LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: Conceptual frame work……………………………………………………......29

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