USING AGRICULTURAL SHOWS TO CREATE DEMAND FOR DESMODIUM SEEDS IN “PUSH PULL” TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION IN WESTERN KENYA

Abstract

Despite  the effectiveness of the Push Pull technology in increasing maize yields by controlling Stem borer and striga weeds, farmers have yet to fully realize the benefits of this technology, which involves planting Napier grass around a maize field intercropped with Desmodium. Agricultural shows are often used to spread agricultural technologies to farmers but their effectiveness in stimulating and creating demand for Desmodium seeds, which are critical inpush pull technology adoption had not been established or was inadequate. This study provides the missing information using a cross-sectional research design to collect data from 800 farmers at Kisumu agricultural show in Western Kenya. A valid, closed-ended questionnaire whose 0.85α reliability coefficient was above the 0.70 acceptable threshold was used. Data were analysed using Chi-square at a confidence level set a priori at 0.05α. Only 4% of the farmers practiced push pull technology in their farms. Most farmers (97%) who visited the push pull technology demonstration plot wanted to adopt it in their farms and to buy Desmodium seeds in future and 54% wanted to purchase the seeds at Kisumu Agricultural Society of Kenya Show. The study concluded that agricultural shows created demand for Desmodium seeds and that farmers were willing to buy the seeds during the shows. It is recommended that seed dealers should ensure Desmodium seeds availability and access to farmers during the agricultural shows.