Determinants of Adoption and Dis-Adoption of Integrated Pest Management Practices in the Suppression of Mango Fruit Fly Infestation: Evidence from Embu County, Kenya

Abstract

This study evaluates the drivers of the adoption and dis-adoption of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices in the suppression of mango fruit-fly infestation in Embu County, Kenya. It employs a Correlated Random Effects Probit Model and a Discrete-time Proportional Hazard Model on two-wave panel data of 149 mango farmers selected using a cluster sampling technique. The descriptive results show that 59% and 17% of the respondents were adopters and dis-adopters of mango fruit fly IPM practices, respectively. Empirical findings reveal that the cost of IPM and training on IPM positively and significantly influenced adoption, while the unavailability of the technology had a negative and significant effect on adoption. For dis-adoption, the results indicate that farm size and the quality of IPM positively influenced the hazard of exit from IPM use, and hence, enhanced the sustained adoption of IPM. The study recommends capacity building for mango farmers through training and increased access to extension services to enhance the adoption of this technology and prevent dis-adoption.