| dc.description.abstract | Research on the use of Rhizobia inoculants to enhance BNF has been conducted in Africa
since 1950's. It has demonstrated the benefit of the use of inoculation on legumes in relation
to the use of nitrogenous fertilizers. However, the use of inoculants has not been widely
applied by the smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa despite the challenges of
acquisition of nitrogenous fertilizers and other environmental concerns. The aim of this study
was to examine how farmers perceive BIOFIX® inoculant, factors that drive its use and its
profitability among the smallholder farmers. It uses data collected from 210 soybean farmers
in three regions of Western Kenya namely, Bungoma West in Bungoma County, Mumias in
Kakamega County and Bondo in Siaya County. Regression techniques were used to assess
factors influencing perception and drivers of BIOFIX® inoculant use and partial budget
analysis techniques to examine the profitability. The results show that farmers who have used
BIOFIX® view it more positively than those who do not use. Perception is significantly (p<
0.01) influenced by frequency of contacts with organizations that promote BNF and
membership in soybean producer group. Other factors that influence perception of inoculants
is farmer's age (p< 0.10), use of nitrogenous fertilizers on legumes (p< 0.05) and region from
where the farmer comes from (p< 0.05). The study finds that farmer's decision to use
inoculants is determined by knowledge of legume root nodules (p <0.01), contact with
organizations promoting BNF technologies (p <0.01), membership in soybean promoting
group (p <0.01), location of the farmer and area under crop (p <0.10). The intensity of
BIOFIX® use is mainly influenced by area under crops, frequency of contacts with
organizations promoting BNF technologies, group membership and the distance to collection
centers, knowledge of the importance of roots nodules and location of the farmer. Partial
budget analysis finds a 26% increase in soybean yields by farmers who inoculate their
soybean (864 kg ha') in comparison to those who do not inoculate (78 kg ha-1 less) with the
difference in mean yields significant at p<O.Ol. Difference in gross margins achieved by
users of inoculants (Ksh. 21,651 ha') and non-users (13,641 ha') is highly significant
(p<O.Ol). The findings of this study imply that there is need to strengthen local institutions
and for greater involvement of commercial sector (agro-dealers) and public extension to
enhance promotion of inoculants use. Other channels of passing information and knowledge
of BNF technologies need to be explored such as the use of radio, television and mobile
phones. The findings also highlight the importance of markets as drivers of technologies
adoption. This suggests that for soil fertility improvement technologies such as inoculants to
be adopted, there is need to strengthen the output market. | en_US |
