Adoption of SIPs among small-scale mango growers in Kitui County, Kenya

Abstract

Sustainable Intensification Practices (SIPs) continue to be generally acknowledged as a key factor for increasing agricultural productivity while being environmentally benign. SIPs assure the safety, quality, and availability of food. However, despite the potential benefit of SIPs, their adoption among smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) – particularly mango growers – remains low. The low adoption of SIPs is generally attributed to differences in the biophysical and socioeconomic circumstances present on respective farms. Thus, this study investigates the adoption of SIPs and their determinants among mango producers in Kitui County, Kenya,Specific objective focusing on assessment of adoption of various SIPs in given counties,investigate factors determining adoption of SIPs and assessment of SIPs on production.  using data collected from a cross-section survey of 438 mango farmers. The study adopted the t-tests and negative binomial regression analysis. The findings reveal that, on average, mango farmers adopted at least four (4) different SIPs. Modern crop management SIPs (5.0) having the highest mean of adoption, followed by soil management SIPs (3.0), and crop varieties and intercrops SIPs (3.0). Water management SIPs (2.0), local crop management SIPs (2.0), and post-harvest management SIPs (0) had the least mean adoption. Comparing mango farmers who adopted SIPs versus those who did not reveals that those adopting various SIPs have significantly higher mango yields. The negative binomial regression indicates that access to market information, off-season selling, access to training, credit access, household income, distance to the tarmac, and cultivation period influences the adoption of SIPs. The results provide useful insights to direct further efforts required to encourage greater adoption of SIPs and strengthen the enabling environment for mango farmers. In addition policy makers are recommended to provide SIPs that enable farmers to produce mangoes throughout the year; Strengthen farmers SIPs capacity through trainings, Improve skills of extension officers and increase trainings’ channel, Help farmers adopt measures that access credit. In addition, farmers to adopt the seed varieties that mature early to enable them sell their produce during off-season;