Determinants of Animal Manure Adoption Among Smallholder Farmers in Garbatulla Sub-County, Isiolo County, Kenya
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Abstract
Animal manure is an important component of sustainable soil fertility management, yet its adoption among smallholder farmers remains limited in many arid and semi-arid regions of Kenya. This study investigated the determinants of animal manure adoption among smallholder farmers in Garbatulla Sub-County, Isiolo County, Kenya. A cross-sectional mixed-methods design was employed, involving 202 randomly selected farmers. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression, while qualitative data from key informant interviews and focus group discussions were analyzed thematically. The findings revealed that farm location and pesticide use were significant determinants of animal manure adoption, whereas socio-demographic factors such as age, gender, education, household size, and farm size did not significantly influence adoption decisions. Qualitative findings further identified transportation costs, labor requirements, and limited extension support as key barriers to effective manure utilization. The study concludes that improving access to manure resources, strengthening agricultural extension services, promoting integrated crop–livestock farming, and implementing location-specific interventions are essential for increasing adoption of animal manure. These measures will enhance sustainable soil fertility management, improve agricultural productivity, and contribute to climate-smart agriculture and food security in Kenya's arid and semi-arid regions.
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