Analysis of Farmers' Preferences in Choice and Adoption of Maize and Bean Varieties in Kenya

Abstract

Maize and common beans are the backbone of food security in Kenya. However, production of the two crops has not kept pace with demand. Although farmers grow several varieties of maize and common beans, the attributes of the varieties that influence farmers' preferences and adoption are not clearly known. The objective of this study was to determine attributes of maize and bean varieties that influence farmers' choices and adoption of varieties. Data were collected from a random sample of 613 respondents from four Counties in Kenya using a structured questionnaire and analysed by descriptive statistics and hedonic pricing model. Results show that farmers used several criteria in choosing the maize and bean varieties they grew. Hedonic pricing analysis indicates that price of beans was mainly determined by bean grain colour and geographical location of the household. The identified attributes are important to the farmers in making their production and marketing decisions and for researchers to focus breeding research to attributes the farmers prefer.