The Economic Impact Of Group Based Ipm Training On Smallholder Horticultural Production In Kenya

Abstract

The horticultural sub-sector in Kenya is a key source of foreign exchange earnings, employment creation and also plays a major role in ensuring food security to many Kenyan households. However, the sector faces serious growth constraints including pests and diseases that are limiting its potential to improve horticultural productivity and livelihoods. In a bid to address these constraints and improve productivity, different extension training approaches, have been implemented in an effort to address the sub-sector challenges. Previously, heavily donor funded approaches were used but were found to be ineffective and financially unsustainable. In realization of these limitations, the Government of Kenya categorized extension service as one of the priority functions of the agriculture and rural development sector where group based training approaches such as Farmer Field School (FFS) and Common Interest Groups (CIG) were to be promoted. The two approaches were expected to be effective in enhancing the adoption of environmental friendly practices like Integrated Pest Management (IPM). However, empirical evidence of whether social or human capital acquired through farmer participation in FFS and CIG stimulates IPM technology adoption among the Kenyan smallholders engaged in horticulture farming and their impact on production levels and household income is scanty. The objective of this study was therefore to examine how the group based training approach, a source of social capital, and socio economic characteristics influenced IPM knowledge diffusion and farmer adoption of IPM technologiesIt also assessed the impact of adoption decisions on yield, household income and integrated pest management practices. Data were collected from four hundred and ninety five FFS, CIG and Control farmers in Central and Eastern province of Kenya. The data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, principal component analysis, recursive simultaneous binary choice model, logit model and propensity score matching method. The result showed that the average age of farmers’ across FFS, CIG and control farmers were 49, 48 and 45 years respectively representing a typical age among Kenyan farmers and that membership in FFS and CIG groups were significantly and positively associated with knowledge and adoption of integrated pest management techniques. Furthermore, adoption of IPM was also linked to age, gender, information sharing as well as locality of the farmer. Results on the impact of IPM training through group based approaches on yield and income did not show significant results, which might be attributed to constraints to market access, which affects most farmers in rural Kenya.This study recommends improving the capacity of extension workers in terms of IPM, which will enable extension workers to train farmers in the concept and application of IPM. The study also recommends formation of farmer groups and encouraging farmers to share IPM knowledge. These are critical in the diffusion and adoption of IPM technologies to enhance sustainable production and environment in general