Determinants of adopting imazapyr-resistant maize for Striga control in Western Kenya: A double-hurdle approach D. B. Mignouna1,2*, V. M. Manyong1 , K. D. S. Mutab

Abstract

Discussions and debates have been on going about Striga, a major constraint to increasing maize production
and food security in western Kenya. To inform these debates this paper applies econometrics to farm survey
data in order to estimate and determine the factors which drive farmers’ decision to adopt imazapyr-resistant
maize (IRM), a novel technology for Striga control. The study uses data from a multistage, random sample of
600 households of which, 169 were IRM adopters and 431 were non-adopters. This paper tests the hypothesis
that the factors affecting farmers’ decision to adopt IRM are not necessarily the same as those affecting their
extent of adoption. Results from the double-hurdle model indicates that age of the household head, household
size, membership to social group, access to extension services and perception towards IRM for Striga control
were found to influence the decision to adopt IRM. And, household size, gap between maize production and
consumption per capita, access to extension services and perception towards IRM for Striga control influenced
the extent the farmer is willing to adopt. The paper concludes with policy implications aimed at renewing the
focus on IRM transfer in western Kenya and other areas with similar conditions.