FERTILIZER ADOPTION BY SMALL-SCALE FARMERS IN NAKURU DISTRICT, KENYA

This study identifies the socio-economic factors responsible for ferti lizer adoption in Nakuru District, Kenya. Data for the study were obta ined from a cross section of the farmers by using a multi-stage random sampling technique to purposively select both adopters and non-adopte rs of fertilizers. The probit model was employed to analyse the data v ia the maximum likelihood estimation technique. In addition, by making use of changes in stimulus level due to changes in socioeconomic vari ables, the effect of different policy options on fertilizer adoption w as explored. The results of the study indicate that fertilizer adoptio n in the area of study is more sensitive to sociological and instituti onal factors than to economic factors such as labour and credit availa bilities. Specifically, it is recommended among others that efforts be made to encourage farmers in the area to join cooperative societies. Also, frequency of extension visitation to the farmers should be incre ased for wide spread fertilizer adoption in particular and for the ado ption of other new appropriate technologies by small-scale farmers in the area.