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African
Journal of Agricultural Research Vol. 2(10), pp. 544-551, October, 2007
ISSN 1991- 637X© 2007 Academic Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Factors influencing adoption of
stress-tolerant maize hybrid (WH 502) in western Kenya
Beatrice Salasya1,
Wilfred Mwangi2, Domisiano Mwabu2 and Alpha Diallo2
Accepted 24 September, 2007
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Non-adoption of suitable maize varieties was identified as the second
most important constraint responsible for low maize yields in western
Kenya. In order to increase adoption of suitable varieties it is
important to know the factors that influence the choice of variety and
adoption. This study aimed at identifying varietal, socio-economic and
institutional factors that influence adoption of the maize hybrid, WH
502. Data were collected from a random sample of 504 households and 68
stockists from three districts of western Kenya. Results showed that the
main attributes of WH 502 that influenced its adoption were high yield,
early maturity and non-lodging, whereas the important socio-economic
factors were farm size, cattle ownership, education level of the farmer
and locality specific characteristics. The attributes of WH 502 that
farmers disliked were poor storability and poor husk cover. Neighbors
were found to play a more important role than the public extension
service in making WH 502 variety known to farmers. Breeders need to
improve on storability and husk cover attributes of WH 502 so as to
sustain or improve adoption. Policy makers should support informal ways
of extending new technologies to farmers and also support farmers
through provision of adult education.
Key
words: Hybrid maize, adoption, socio-economic characteristics,
varietal characteristics, high yield, early maturity; storability. |
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