Assessment of socio-economic and biophysical environmental factors affecting the adoption of zero grazing technology in Samia sub-county Kenya

Abstract

Adoption of a technology varies from place to place. According to the Rogers Diffusion Theory, most technologies are adopted by farmers if they are perceived to have returns. It is from this view point that this research assessed the role of socioeconomic and environmental factors in the diffusion of the zero grazing (ZG) technology in Samia Sub-County, Kenya. A survey, using a questionnaire and observations was conducted in Lower and Upper Samia. The study employed strata sampling, that is in the Lower Samia and the Upper Samia due to the differences in agroecological zones. Additionally, purposive sampling was employed to select households to be surveyed. A sample size of 200 households was selected using the coefficient of variation formula. Descriptive statistics and Regression analysis were used to analyze the data. Statistical significance was assessed at α=0.05 levels. Results indicated that, socioeconomic factors had no significant effect on adoption of zero grazing (P>0.05).However, environmental factors such as water supply, fodder crops and access to open grazing fields had significant influence on adoption of zero grazing (P<0.000). Further, there was significant difference in adoption of the zero-grazing technology among the locations with more adopters in Upper Samia than Lower Samia (p<0.05). The study findings indicated that the farmers in the study area were not knowledgeable about the technology with 63.5 % having limited knowledge on zero grazing. In conclusion, the research found that adoption of zero grazing was influenced by level of knowledge, water supply, availability of fodder feeds and open grazing fields. Thus there is need for extension agents in the study area to carry out regular farm visits, field days, trainings and demonstrations, in order to make the farming community aware of the technology and to alleviate the perception farmers have towards the technology. Policies on livestock extension should be reviewed by the government to ensure that farmers receive the necessary services.