Factors influencing adoption and intensity of adoption of orange flesh sweetpotato varieties: evidence from an extension intervention in Nyanza and Western province, Kenya

This study applied logit and logit transformed regression to examine factors affecting theadoption of orange flesh sweet-potatoes (OFSP), and intensity of such adoption, by arepresentative sample of 340 farmers in the Busia and Rachuonyo districts of Kenya in 2009.The study also investigated whether participation in a value chain extension interventionprogramme increased these farmers’ likelihood of adopting OFSP. The results suggest that thedistrict where the farmer comes from, knowledge on value addition and nutritional benefits, andavailability of vines were the key factors for adoption. The results also suggest that participationin a value chain extension programme enhanced the probability of adoption. Factors affectingintensity of adoption were site, value addition, vines availability, level of commercialization andhaving a child of up to five years.