Determinants of improved maize seed and fertilizer adoption in Kenya

Abstract

The study quantifies factors affecting adoption of improved maize varieties and fertilizer by households in
maize growing zones of Kenya. It uses Heckman two-stage model to analyze data collected from 1850
households in 2002. Credit was important in explaining the adoption of improved maize seed and fertilizer.
Likewise the ability to access hired labour was positively associated with adoption of improved maize
varieties and fertilizer. Education of household head and number of extension contacts played a role in the
adoption of improved maize varieties. Distance to market was negatively associated with adoption of fertilizer.
Use of fertilizer affected the adoption of improved maize varieties and the converse was true. The area planted
to improved maize varieties was positively affected by household characteristics (education and age of
household head), institutional factors (number of extension contacts) and other variables such as ability to
hire labour. Use of fertilizer was strongly and positively associated with the intensity of use of improved
maize. These findings suggest that provision of credit and strengthening of research/extension farmers
linkages are likely to play a significant role in enhancing the use of improved maize seed and fertilizer and
therefore increasing maize productivity in Kenya