Factors Affecting Integrated Pest Management Adoption and Pesticide Use in Kenyan Vegetable Farmers    

This study identifies the factors influencing adoption of IPM practices and number of pesticide applications in vegetable farmers in Kenya. The sample size for this study includes 263 vegetable farmers. The survey was conducted in four counties of Kenya: Nyeri, Tharka Nithi, Nakuru and Bomet. The vegetables considered in this study are tomato, cabbage and French beans. Different econometric tools are used to analyze adoption of IPM practices and pesticide application for vegetables. It is found that experience in vegetable cultivation and number of livestock owned have a positive impact on the adoption of IPM practices. However, distance to the nearest town has a negative impact on adoption. Moreover, the number of times pesticides are applied to vegetables also declines as distance of the household from the nearest town increases. Farmers whose crops face less stress from insects and disease tend to apply pesticides fewer times as well. Results from this study indicate that being close to town is important for agricultural activities in general. Being farther away not only reduces the probability of IPM adoption but also reduces pesticide application.