Factors Influencing Farmers Adopting the Government Supported Fish Farming Strategy to Food Security in Nyeri County, Kenya

Abstract

Fish farming is among the programs started by the government of Kenya to cushion its citizens against the effects of global economic recession of 2008-2009. The program aimed at providing income to farmers and diversifying livelihoods in Nyeri County. The study examined factors that influenced adoption of fish farming and its effects on consumption patterns in Mathira Sub County Nyeri County The study employed descriptive research design and applied both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The study targeted fish farmers who benefited from the program. The study site was Mathira Sub-counties which was purposively selected since it had the highest number of fish farmers (439) and systematic sampling employed to identify the study respondents comprising of 343 fish farmers. Field survey was carried out using open ended questionnaires administered to fish farmers. Logit regression model was used to determine factors influencing adoption of fish farming in Mathira Sub Counties, Nyeri County. The study found that the age of the farmer, family size, education level, membership to a farmers group, frequency of fish consumption and household and marital status were significant in explaining farmers will to adopt fish farming. Further, farmers training had a strong association with adoption of fish farming at x² 98.571, p =0.001. It also recommends the incorporation of farmers' socio-economic characteristics to arouse fish farming adoption and more investment on farmers training and extension. The finding will assist the stakeholders in agriculture formulate, execute and monitor policies that will support farmers to ascertain food security concerns in Kenya.