Factors influencing adoption and intensity of adoption of orange flesh sweet potato varieties: Evidence from an extension intervention in Nyanza and Western provinces, Kenya

Abstract

This study applied logit and transformed logit regression to examine factors affecting the adoption of orange flesh sweet potatoes, and intensity of such adoption, by a representative sample of 340 farmers in the Busia and Rachuonyo (OFSP) districts of Kenya in 2009. A double-censored Tobit model was also used to study factors affecting intensity of adoption. The study also investigated whether participation in a value chain extension intervention programme increased farmers’ likelihood of adopting OFSP. The participation variable was first tested for endogeneity and “purified” before using it as a “proxy” in the adoption regression. The results suggest that the district where the farmer comes from, knowledge on value addition and nutritional benefits, and availability of vines were the key factors for adoption. The results also suggest that participation in a value chain extension programme enhanced the probability of adoption. Factors affecting intensity of adoption were site, value addition, vines availability, level of commercialization and having a child of up to five years.