FARMER’S ADOPTION OF CROP DIVERSIFICATION IN VARIOUS AGRO ECOLOGICAL ZONES OF EMBU COUNTY

Abstract

Crop diversification has and continues to play an important role in promoting climate change adaptation.
Moreover, crop diversification reduces the risk crop failure. Despites its importance, very little has been documented on the agro ecological zone perspective. The objective of this study is to investigate the adoption
crop diversification by farmers in different agro ecological zones. The study also investigated the factors
influencing farmers to diversify their cropping patterns. The study is based on a sample of 96 randomly selected smallholder farming households from different agro ecological zones of Embu County. Data was collected through observation and use of questionnaires. Chi square test was used to analyse farmers’ adoption
to crop diversification. The results reveal that 57% of the farmers have adopted crop diversification while
43% have not. Additionally, the results divulge different factors that influence crop diversification. Gender
and agro ecological zones significantly influence diversification with chi square value and p values of 0.556;
0.456 and 5.270; 0.042 respectively. On the other hand, education level (X2
=0.538, P value= 0.982), age (X2
=0.596, P value = 0.891) and land size (X2
=0.284, P value=0.594) do not influence crop diversification.
Based on these findings the study recommends the government to consider undertaking policies that will
encourage few farmers who have not adopted crop diversification. Promotion campaigns should also be carried out in order to reduce the spatial variations in adoption of crop diversification across the entire study
area.