Abstract:
Potato is widely consumed as a staple world over with direct consumption by humans as food being 31.3 kg per capita. In Kenya, potato follows maize in order of importance for human consumption with a countrywide production of between 4.4 t/ha and 15 t/ha. However, 40t/ha are possible. The Ministry of Agriculture through collaborative efforts with other stakeholders developed improved potato varieties and released them for farmers to plant in Kenya in order to bridge the low level of production. Nonetheless, the adoption rate of these varieties was significantly low in Mumberes division. The main aim of this study was to investigate the influence of selected factors namely demographic factors (family size, level of education of household head, age and gender), access to extension services, access to credit services and farmer’s perception about improved potato varieties on adoption of improved potato varieties in Mumberes division, Baringo county. The population of study comprised of smallholder farmers in Mumberes and the sample was selected from this population using proportionate and systematic sampling. The study used a cross sectional survey research design where 128 household heads were interviewed. Interview schedule was used as the data collection instrument. The face and content validity of the instruments was assessed by experts from the field of community studies and extension. A Cronbanch alpha coefficient of reliability of 0.87 was obtained after the pre test. Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) computer program aided data analysis. The study revealed that the selected demographic factors namely gender and marital status of the household head, age, level of education and family size had no statistically significant influence on adoption of improved potato varieties. Only a small fraction of the farmers had access to extension services in the study area. The study showed that access to extension also had no statistically significant influence on adoption of improved potato varieties. The average amount of credit received by farmers was about KES 10000 per year. Access to credit also had no statistically significant influence on adoption. Farmers had a high positive perception of improved potato varieties about taste, maturity, improving food security and increasing incomes for families. However they felt that the improved varieties were not resistant to blight and that production of these varieties was labour intensive. The study therefore recommended that there is need to increase access to extension by farmers by increasing the number of extension staff. Promoting farmer-farmer extension through formation of groups would also necessary to allow sharing of information. Also the amount of credit accessed should be increased since the amount received was low. Additionally, research efforts geared towards seeking varieties resistant to blight and bacterial wilts is paramount. Another research would be necessary to assess other factors influencing adoption in the study area such farm characteristics.
