ISSN 2375-0693
African Journal of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development ISSN 2375-0693 Vol. 5 (2), pp. 532-538, February, 2017. © International ScholarsJournals
Full Length Research Paper
Determinants of adoption and intensity of use of brooding technology in Kenya: The case of indigenous chicken farmers in Makueni and Kakamega Counties, Kenya
1Christopher Njuguna K*,2Lucy W. Kabuage and 1Eric K. Bett
1Department of Agribusiness Management & Trade, Kenyatta University: P.O BOX 43844, Nairobi, 2Department of Animal Sciences, Kenyatta University: P.O BOX 43844, Nairobi.
Received 15 December, 2016; Revised 14 January, 2016; Accepted 17 January, 2017 and Published 02 February, 2017
Abstract
Indigenous chicken (IC) boosts the livelihoods of many smallholder famers in Kenya. IC constitutes 80% of poultry population in Kenya and kept by over 80% of the smallholders’ rural households. To increase IC productivity, use of brooders remains an option. Brooders enhance chick’s separation, reduce predation prospects, boost controlled temperatures and reduce trampling. However, information on determinants of adoption and use intensity of brooders among smallholder IC farmers in Eastern and Western Kenya remained scanty. Therefore, the study aimed at filling this gap. A total of 384 households were sampled using stratified random sampling procedure. A structured questionnaire was used to collect primary data. Secondary data was accessed from Makueni and Kakamega livestock offices. Descriptive analysis and Double-Hurdle econometric model were employed using STATA 13. Results revealed that farm size, training on poultry production and awareness of IC significantly influenced adoption decision. On the other hand, education level, household size, farm size, training on poultry production, distance to the training center and awareness of IC determined use intensity of brooders. We recommend that policymakers should target factors influencing adoption and use intensity of brooders. More infrastructures and extension agents should be deployed to boost information dissemination on brooding technology.
Keywords: Adoption, awareness, brooders, double-hurdle, intensity, indigenous chicken, training.