O'Reilly, Ryan Keefe2020-07-302020-07-302020-07-29vt_gsexam:27085http://hdl.handle.net/10919/99453This thesis analyzes factors affecting adoption of integrated pest management (IPM) techniques by Kenyan vegetable farmers, including the role of their risk preferences. It also analyzes factors affecting their pesticide applications and expenditures. A survey was administered to 450 Kenyan vegetable growers to identify their pest management practices, and a behavioral experiment was run to elicit their risk preferences utilizing. Cumulative Prospect Theory. Loss aversion was found to be correlated with higher likelihood of IPM adoption while risk aversion was associated with higher pesticide application rates and expenditures. The influence of IPM adoption on pesticide use differed by IPM technique.ETDIn Copyrightagricultural developmenttechnology adoptionKenyan agricultureKenyan horticultureIntegrated Pest ManagementCumulative Prospect Theorypoverty trapsThesis