A double-hurdle model estimation of adoption and intensity of use of poultry production technologies in Machakos County, Kenya

Abstract

Poultry production technologies adoption, such as improved Indigenous Chicken (IC) breeds and fabricated brooders, remain a viable option for enhancing IC productivity. However, the uptake of improved IC technologies remains low, especially in developing countries. This study investigated the adoption and intensity of the use of IC technologies in Machakos County, Kenya. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey to collect data from 374 households selected through a multi-stage sampling technique. A structured questionnaire and focus group discussion were employed, and data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Double-Hurdle model. The double hurdle results revealed that farmer experience, land size, non-farm activities, group membership, access to credit, awareness of IC technologies, and use of intensive/semi-intensive production systems were positively associated with IC technology adoption. However, household size was negatively associated with IC technology adoption. The intensity of use of IC technology was positively associated with gender, active labor, credit access, distance to the weather roads, and intensive production system. The study recommends that there is a need for agricultural stakeholders to promote membership in farmer associations and credit access, create awareness of IC technology, and improve opportunities for non-farm activities to help improve the adoption and intensity of the use of IC technologies.