Influence of Smallholder Farmers' Socio-economic Characteristics on and Perceived Benefits of Organic Agriculture Farming

Abstract

The decision to adopt an agricultural technology is categorized into characteristics specific to farmers and their households and socio-economic factors. The difference in factors influencing the smallholder farmers' adoption of Organic Farming (OF) practices varies across the world. Thus, this paper investigates the influence of smallholder farmers' socio-economic characteristics on the adoption of OF in Kisii Central, Kisii County. The study adopted mixed-method research that involved a household survey and key informants. The results indicate that the major socio-economic characteristics influencing smallholder farmers' adoption of organic farming were farm size (79%), income (73%), family size (67%), and age (66%). In addition, there is a positive correlation between education and the use of crop residues (r=0.113), animal manure (r=0.114), and cover crop (r=0.121). The study recommends that promoters of OF consider specific socio-economic characteristics of the farmers in adopting OF.