Factors Influencing Farmer’s Willingness to Adopt Pearl Millet Production in Tigania West District, Kenya

Abstract

Pearl millet crop has the potential to mitigate food unavailability and variability risks in Tigania West district due to its sturdiness and suitability to low and marginal areas. This study aimed at identifying and analyzing the factors influencing farmer's willingness to adopt pearl millet production in Tigania West District. A sample of 160 farmers was selected from the population of the small-scale farmers in the district. Primary data were collected through administration of a structured questionnaire. Secondary data was sourced through extensive literature review. A binomial logit model was applied to establish the farmers' willingness to grow pearl millet. Computer statistical programs, STATA and SPSS were used in the process of data management and analysis. The study revealed that household head's age, education level, land size and household size are statistically significant factors in influencing a farmer's willingness to grow pearl millet crop. The study showed that older farmers are more willing to adopt pearl millet cultivation than young farmers and the more the education level the more the willingness to grow pearl millet by the farmers. These older farmers can be sought as the target units by the policy makers