Factors Influencing the Adoption of Greenhouse Technology among Smallholder Tomato Farmers in Nakuru County: Kenya
- July 13, 2019
- Posted by: RSIS
- Category: Economics
International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume III, Issue VI, June 2019 | ISSN 2454–6186
Daniel Kipruto Tuitoek1*, Henry Odhiambo Omondi2, Edwin Kipyego Kipchoge3, Silas Kiprono Samoei4, Mathew Kipkoech Bartilol5
1Lecturer, Department of Economics, Moi University, Kenya
2,3,5Post Graduate Student, Department of Agricultural Economics and Resource Management, Moi University, Kenya
4Biostatistics Masters Student, Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Eldoret, Kenya
*Corresponding Address
Abstract: Tomato (Lycopersicon escutelum) is one of the major and most popular vegetable that is grown in Kenya. It is mainly grown on small scale in the open field under both rain-fed and irrigation production systems due to declining land sizes. The country does not have an all year-round supply of tomatoes because of the rapidly changing weather conditions. However, tomato production in Kenya has taken a new course of the greenhouse technology. The introduction of the greenhouse production of tomatoes raises hopes that the popular vegetable will become available throughout the year. The introduction also heralds what could be a major shift from open pollinated farming to hybrid high yielding methods which will lead to massive improvements in tomato production, incomes and ultimately self-sufficiency in the production of tomatoes. The technology has however been proved profitable and also economically viable but the adoption in Nakuru County has however been low. Therefore, this study sought to investigate why the uptake of the technology is low in the county and also explain what has been the fundamental tool for growers and investors to do investment analyses and make decisions of which production system to adopt. The study also sought to provide up-to-date benchmark indicators for evaluating the viability and sustainability of greenhouse tomato production. In carrying out the study, targeting small holder tomato farmers, a systematic random sampling technique was used to select a sample of 40 respondents and data was collected with the help of structured questionnaires. Data analysis for both qualitative and quantitative data was conducted through Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). Results indicated that access to extension services, access to credit, membership to farmers’ group and farm income significantly determined adoption of greenhouse technology (p – values 0.008, 0.029, 0.029 and 0.005 respectively).
I. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
More than 119 million tons of tomatoes were produced during the year 2012 with the crop being grown across 9.9 million acres in over 160 countries. Total world production has increased by over 35% over the last 10 years. The biggest producer is China with 27.6 million tons followed by United States of America with 13.4 million tons.
