DETERMINANTS OF WILLINGNESS TO ADOPT GENETICALLY ENGINEERED SORGHUM AMONG SMALLHOLDER HOUSEHOLDS IN ELGEYO-MARAKWET COUNTY, KENYA
Keywords:
Genetically engineered sorghum; willingness to adopt; agricultural extensionAbstract
Genetically engineered (GE) sorghum has potential to address production constraints such as Striga infestation, drought stress, and low productivity. However, evidence on farmers’ willingness to adopt GE sorghum in Kenya remains limited. This study examined the determinants of willingness to adopt GE sorghum among smallholder households in Elgeyo-Marakwet County, Kenya. A cross-sectional survey design was employed. The target population comprised 884 sorghum farmers, from whom a multistage sampling procedure selected 275 farmers. Primary data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed using logistic regression. The results showed that willingness to adopt GE sorghum was significantly associated with gender, secondary education, sorghum-farming experience, market access, exposure to cattle rustling, access to subsidies, extension services, farmer organisations and relevant farm inputs. The findings suggest that willingness to adopt GE sorghum is influenced by farmers’ production experience, livelihood conditions, market opportunities and institutional support. The study recommends strengthening extension education, farmer organisations, input access and market linkages to enable farmers to make informed decisions regarding emerging sorghum technologies.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Boaz Changwony Korir, Ibrahim Macharia Ndegwa, Susan Musembi
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