Factors influencing Mobile Phone use on Climate-Smart Horticulture in Taita-Taveta County, Kenya
Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO)
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Abstract: This study analyzed the factors influencing the use of mobile phones on climate-smart horticulture. The study surveyed 403 tomato and green gram farmers randomly drawn from three sub-counties (Wundanyi, Mwatate and Taveta) in Taita-Taveta County. A binary logit model was applied to analyze the factors influencing mobile phone use on climate-smart horticulture. The results showed that gender, trust on the information received through mobile phone, access to electric power (solar and hydro-electricity) and access to credit improved mobile phone use on climate-smart horticulture while farmer’s age exhibited negative influence. National and County governments should partner with local telecommunication service providers and other agricultural stakeholders to educate farmers and extension agents on mobile phone use on farming and develop a mobile phone digital platform that would provide real time and credible weather, agronomic, market and price information.