Factors influencing adoption of coffe production practises in Kieni West and Mathira divisions of Nyeri District Kenya

Abstract

Smallholder coffee farming picked up after Kenya's independence in 1963. Mathira and Kieni West Divisions recorded recognized difierences in coffee produce yet they share similar agro-ecologic conditions. This study sought to detcnnine farmers‘ adoption of Coffee Research Foundation's recommended production practices and document the factors that have influenced adoption of the practices (beside price fluctuations) by smallholder farmers in Mathira and Kieni West division of Nyeri district. Ex-post facto survey design was used. A sample of 200 coffee farmers was selected. Four strata were formed. two from each division. From each stratum. 50 farmers were randomly. Pre-test of the research instruments was carried out involving Tumutumu coffee farmers. The instruments had a reliability coetficient of 0.7422 using Cronbach alpha coefiicient method. Data was collected using validated interview and observation schedules and analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics set to give results at alpha 0.05 level. Mean adoption of the Coffee Research Foundation recommended practices was 40.8%. Kieni West division had lower adoption (30.46%) while Mathira division had a higher adoption (53.15%). The most poorly adopted coffee production practices were fertilizer application (82% non- adoption). use of Ruiru ll coffee variety (97% non-adoption) and use of herbicides and pesticide chemicals (97.5% non-adoption). Independent variables which had significant relationship with adoption of Coffee Research Foundation recommended practices were: knowledge of recommended practices. cost of coffee production practices. farmers‘ education levels and frequency of extension services delivery to farmers. There was a significant difference in adoption between Kieni West and Mathira Divisions. The study concluded that there was need for farmers‘ advisory services to improve adoption of recommended practices and consequently improve coffee production output. The study therefore recommends improvement in frequency of delivery of extension services to farmers. Policy makers should design strategies of reducing costs of farm inputs make cost of production affordable to coffee farmers.