Factors Related to Farmers’ Acceptance of Improved Technologies: A Case Study of Small-Scale Sugar Cane Farmers in Kakamega County, Kenya

Abstract

Improvement of agricultural technologies has been a global focus, aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity for economic growth and improved livelihood. Through research, many agricultural technologies, loaded with potential benefits have been produced but their acceptance by the intended users has been a global challenge. This calls for need to develop effective mechanism to enhance technology acceptance so that their potential benefits may be realised. This study focused on these phenomena through establishment of various factors related to acceptance of improved sugar cane varieties among small-scale sugar cane farmers in Kakamega County. Understanding of these factors was critical, as it would pin point critical conditions that would facillitate wider acceptance of improved technologies by the targeted users. The study was built on Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT); and the theory of Diffusion of Innovations (DOI). A Cross-Sectional Survey research design was used. The target population was 137,355 sugar cane farmers from Kakamega County, from which a sample of 384 farmers was randomly selected. Questionnaires were used to collect data. Statistical analysis was done using chi-square at 0.05 significance level. The study findings established significant relationships between gender, age, education, land ownership, experience in farming, source of income, sugar cane varietal attributes, variety choice, seed sources, availability of advisory services and marketing of sugar cane, with farmers’ acceptance of improved varieties. Addressing these factors is of great importance to technology developers and promoters as they would facilitate acceptance of the improved technologies produced by farmers. The study recommended extension service providers and sugar millers to provide farmers with adequate information on improved sugar cane varieties, required facilitating resources and supportive services in effort to enhance production of these varieties by farmers.