Determinants of actual and potential adoption of improved indigenous chicken under asymmetrical exposure conditions in rural Kenya

Abstract

We employ the average treatment effects approach to account for asymmetrical information exposure on a sample of 744 farmers in Kisii and Nyamira counties, Kenya, to estimate the actual and potential adoption of a new chicken cross breed. The actual adoption rate of the Kuroiler chicken was 10 percent while the potential adoption rate was 13 percent, dependent on the entire population being aware of and knowledgeable about the new breed. We also observed an adoption gap of 3 and 1 percent due to lack of awareness and attribute knowledge respectively. The factors that influence awareness and attribute knowledge of the new breed were different. Besides, ownership of land title deeds increased adoption while age, distance to tarmac and off-farm income had a negative effect on adoption. The new chicken breed needs to be promoted as a niche enterprise given its low adoption potential even when all farmers are aware of it and have knowledge of its attributes. There is also need for the inclusion of awareness and attribute knowledge messages in the promotion initiatives of the chicken in order to boost its adoption. Moreover, government policy needs to support issuance of title deeds to enhance adoption as well as tarmacking of roads to ease market access.