Determinants of Soil and Water Conservation Practices Adoption by Smallholder Farmers in the Central Highlands of Kenya
Elsevier
Download
Abstract: This study investigates the drivers that influence smallholder farmers? adoption of soil and water conservation practices in Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya. Using a combination of household surveys, key informant interviews, and binary logistic regression analysis, the research identifies agro-ecological zone, farm size, age, and farm distance as significant factors affecting uptake. Farmers use structural, vegetative, and agronomic strategies including terraces, minimum tillage, and crop rotation. Key constraints include labor intensity, lack of capital, and inadequate technical guidance. The findings underscore the need for enhanced farmer education, locally tailored extension services, and financial support to improve uptake rates. Recommendations call for integrating conservation approaches into county planning and investing in climate-resilient agricultural systems that bolster both productivity and environmental restoration. The work provides critical input for county-level policies and development programs aimed at building sustainable livelihoods and reversing land degradation.