Abstract:
Agriculture depends on and influences a number of environmental resources
including water, land, biodiversity as well as production technologies and
management skills. Given the vast global area under agriculture, the influence
of agriculture on overall environmental sustainability cannot be overlooked.
Environmental challenges such as pollution, soil erosion, soil acidification, low
agricultural production and unsustainability of the agricultural ecosystems, have
been associated with conventional farming practices. To address these environmental
challenges, environmentalists have mooted Eco-friendly Farming Practices (EFFPs)
as possible alternatives to conventional farming approaches that have greatly been
associated with aforementioned challenges. This study was conducted among
households of Embu County in Kenya to determine the socio-economic factors
that influenced adoption of EFFPs. Earlier studies had indicated clearly that Embu
County was experiencing soil erosion, pollution and soil acidification, yet EFFPs
had been introduced to counter these environmental challenges. The study sought
to determine the influence of socioeconomic factors on adoption of the EFFPs. Ex
post facto research design was used. Through multi-stage random sampling, 402
household heads were selected and all the 32 extension officers in the area were
interviewed. Average income from agriculture, gender, farming experience, level
of education, size of the farm, age and primary were statistically significant (at
5% significance levels) in influencing adoption of EFFPs among households of
Embu County. It was concluded that socioeconomic factors significantly influenced
adoption of EFFPs among households of Embu County. There is therefore a need to
consider house hold characteristics in designing effective environmental programs
in the county.
