Adoption of integrated pest management strategy for suppression of mango fruit flies on household welfare in selected counties in Kenya

Horticultural farming is the fastest growing agricultural sector in Kenya. Despite this, the production and marketing of mangoes is hampered by fruit fly infestation that is responsible for high pre and post-harvest losses. To reduce the losses, cost of production and increase the profit at producer level, International Center for Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) developed and disseminated Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategy for suppression of mango fruit flies in selected counties in Kenya. Despite the rapid uptake of mango IPM strategy, the role of socio-economic and institutional variables influencing adoption was not clear in literature. This study was conducted to fill this gap. The general objective of this study was to contribute towards improved market access and improved livelihood through enhanced adoption of IPM technologies for suppression of mango fruit flies in selected counties in Kenya. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire on a sample of 660 mango farmers from Embu, Meru, Machakos and Makueni Counties. The study employed a multi-stage sampling procedure technique. STATA software was used for data analysis. Multivariate Probit model method was used for data analysis. The results of Multivariate probit indicate that off-farm income, distance to nearest market for inputs, credit access and access to extension services had a positive effect on the adoption of IPM strategies opposed to age of the household head and intercropping. Group membership and the number of trees per acre had mixed results. There is need to link mango farmers to credit institutions, have appropriate demand driven extension services and trainings that impart relevant skills that enhance the adoption of new farming technologies. Keywords: Adoption, fruit flies, integrated pest management, Kenya, mango