Farmers’ Knowledge on Soil Conservation Technologies, Associated Farm and Farmers’ Attributes in Hilly Farms of Nandi County, Kenya

Abstract

Soil erosion is an issue of global concern due to its effects on the natural resource base in which agriculture is based on. In Kenya, low utilisation of soil conservation technologies (SCTs) has been blamed for continued land degradation. A study was designed to examine association of selected farmers’ and farm attributes with knowledge on SCTs using an ex post facto survey design. A sample of 138 farmers was accessed in the hilly terrains of Nandi County, Kenya through a multi-stage sampling technique. The study was based on the trans-theoretical model and its stages of change, with a focus on its initial stages. Data was questionnaire-based and the data was analysed for associations using Gamma and Sommers’ delta. Kruskal-wallis (KW) test was utilised to test for differences between groups. Post hoc tests are based on Bonferroni correction. Results indicate that there was significant influence of formal education levels, gender, duration of residence and farmers income levels on knowledge in SCTs. Significant KW test results on differences in knowledge levels on SCTs were; Education, H (2) = 9.359, P= 0.009; Age, H (3) = 9.938, P=.019; Gender, H (1) = 3.429, P = .064; duration in current farm, H (2) = 6.122, P = .047 and income levels, H (2) = 8.710, P = 0.013. There were no significant differences based on household size, farm gradient and farm size. Information literacy on SCTs was low among lowly-educated and low-income categories. Deliberate investments in soil conservation measures targeting these categories are recommended. An in-depth study on the underlying causes for the face-value association is recommended.