The role of varietal attributes on adoption of improved seed varieties: The case of sorghum in Kenya

This paper examined the effect of variety attributes on adoption of improved sorghum varieties in Kenya. Using data from a random sample of 140 farmers, a multivariate probit was used to identify variety-specific drivers of adoption. The results on the perception of farmers variety attributes showed...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Timu, G.A., Mulwa, R., Okello, J., Kamau, M.
Format: Journal Article
Language:Inglés
Published: Springer 2014
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/51353
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author Timu, G.A.
Mulwa, R.
Okello, J.
Kamau, M.
author_browse Kamau, M.
Mulwa, R.
Okello, J.
Timu, G.A.
author_facet Timu, G.A.
Mulwa, R.
Okello, J.
Kamau, M.
author_sort Timu, G.A.
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description This paper examined the effect of variety attributes on adoption of improved sorghum varieties in Kenya. Using data from a random sample of 140 farmers, a multivariate probit was used to identify variety-specific drivers of adoption. The results on the perception of farmers variety attributes showed that improved varieties had desirable production and marketing attributes while the local varieties were perceived to have the best consumption attributes. Evidence further indicated that the major sorghum variety attributes driving rapid adoption are taste, drought tolerance, yield, ease of cooking, and the variety’s ability to fetch a price premium. Early maturity, a major focus of research was found to have no effect on the adoption decision. The findings of the study implied that, while developing improved seed varieties, breeders should also focus on non-yield attributes like taste and ease of cooking to increase adoption and satisfy the multiple needs of the farmers.
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spelling CGSpace513532024-05-01T08:16:34Z The role of varietal attributes on adoption of improved seed varieties: The case of sorghum in Kenya Timu, G.A. Mulwa, R. Okello, J. Kamau, M. crops seeds This paper examined the effect of variety attributes on adoption of improved sorghum varieties in Kenya. Using data from a random sample of 140 farmers, a multivariate probit was used to identify variety-specific drivers of adoption. The results on the perception of farmers variety attributes showed that improved varieties had desirable production and marketing attributes while the local varieties were perceived to have the best consumption attributes. Evidence further indicated that the major sorghum variety attributes driving rapid adoption are taste, drought tolerance, yield, ease of cooking, and the variety’s ability to fetch a price premium. Early maturity, a major focus of research was found to have no effect on the adoption decision. The findings of the study implied that, while developing improved seed varieties, breeders should also focus on non-yield attributes like taste and ease of cooking to increase adoption and satisfy the multiple needs of the farmers. 2014-12 2014-11-03T11:48:18Z 2014-11-03T11:48:18Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/51353 en Open Access Springer Timu, G.A., Mulwa, R., Okello, J. and Kamau, M. 2014. The role of varietal attributes on adoption of improved seed varieties: The case of sorghum in Kenya. Agriculture and Food Security 3:9.
spellingShingle crops
seeds
Timu, G.A.
Mulwa, R.
Okello, J.
Kamau, M.
The role of varietal attributes on adoption of improved seed varieties: The case of sorghum in Kenya
title The role of varietal attributes on adoption of improved seed varieties: The case of sorghum in Kenya
title_full The role of varietal attributes on adoption of improved seed varieties: The case of sorghum in Kenya
title_fullStr The role of varietal attributes on adoption of improved seed varieties: The case of sorghum in Kenya
title_full_unstemmed The role of varietal attributes on adoption of improved seed varieties: The case of sorghum in Kenya
title_short The role of varietal attributes on adoption of improved seed varieties: The case of sorghum in Kenya
title_sort role of varietal attributes on adoption of improved seed varieties the case of sorghum in kenya
topic crops
seeds
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/51353
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