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Statistical determination of factors influencing customer satisfaction with research technologies in the Kenya sugar Industry, Kenya
| Content Provider | Semantic Scholar |
|---|---|
| Author | Kahora, F. Wawire, N. W. Wachira, Peter |
| Copyright Year | 2006 |
| Abstract | The objectives of the Kenya Sugar Research Foundation (KESREF) are to generate and introduce new cane varieties, new or updated cane management policies and practices, and disseminate this information to relevant stakeholders, referred to as clients, the most important ones being the farmers. Adoption of these research technologies is important for the improvement of sugarcane and sugar yields in Kenya. This paper deals with evaluation of factors that influence adoption of research technologies. Logistic regression, in particular binary logistic regression has been used to evaluate these factors, which have been identified as determinants of technology adoption. The extent of adoption of the technologies by the sample farmers has also been determined. The data used was collected from farmers through a survey of 5 sugarcane growing zones. The size of the sample in this study was relatively small, only intended to provide baseline information on clients’ adoption of research technologies. From the study, the factors which were found to be significant in influencing adoption of research technologies by farmers were venues of interaction with sugarcane researchers and the frequency of interaction. The extent of adoption by the sample farmers was found to be 24%. Introduction The objectives of sugarcane research are important in a development process with anticipated positive changes in farmers’ well-being. One of the research institution’s desires in the sugar industry is to strengthen the link between research and farmers, millers and out-grower companies to ensure high adoption rate of new technologies. However, there is also a desire to obtain a feedback from stakeholders (clients) on adoption so that research approaches can be revised. Problem Statement The sugar research institution has not carried an adoption study since its inception 5 years ago. The problem of this not having been done is that the institution is likely to be utilizing resources in terms of land, labour and capital to generate technologies, which may not add value to the sugar industry if the farmers do not adopt them. New technologies are intended to improve the yields of sugarcane and sugar, but failure or low level of adoption cannot improve the sugar industry. It is from the lack of knowledge on adoption of research technologies that it was found necessary to carry out this study. Objectives The main objectives of the study were to: (1) evaluate the factors that influence sugarcane farmers to adopt new technologies that emanate from sugarcane research institution and (2) determine the extent of adoption of research technologies by farmers. Methodology Sampling Stratified random sampling technique was used and simple random samples were taken from each stratum. The strata were the sugar zones and these were West Kenya, Nzoia, Mumias, Chemelil and Sony Sugar. A simple random sample of 8-15 farmers from each of the 5 sugar zones was selected with the assistance of out-grower companies. The total sample for the survey was 50 farmers. The farmers were selected at random to provide assurance of objectivity and prevent bias. The criteria used for choosing farmers was their locations within the zones to ensure they were evenly distributed in each zone, and also the size of their farms to ensure the sample constituted of small, medium and large scale farmers. Pre-designed questionnaires were used to collect information from individual farmers. The data collected included the farmers’ cane farming experience, size of their farms, if they had ever heard of the sugarcane research institution, status, frequency and places of interaction with sugarcane researchers, involvement in policy formulation exercise, technologies offered, and if the farmers had adopted these technologies. Data was collected from sampled farmers through personal interviews. Statistical Analysis Data was cross-tabulated and the percentages of farmers who have interacted with and offered services by the sugarcane researchers determined. The percentages of farmers who had ever heard of the research institution and |
| File Format | PDF HTM / HTML |
| Alternate Webpage(s) | http://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke/bitstream/handle/11295/34303/STATISTICAL%20DETERMINATION%20OF%20FACTORS%20INFLUENCING%20CUSTOMER.pdf?isAllowed=y&sequence=1 |
| Language | English |
| Access Restriction | Open |
| Content Type | Text |
| Resource Type | Article |
