Factors influencing the adoption of pre-harvest practices among mango farmers in Embu and Machakos counties, Kenya

Abstract

Pre-harvest practices (PHPs) are key to sustainable mango farming, including their impact on fruit quality at harvest and post-harvest longevity. However, the adoption of these practices is still below the expected levels for optimal production. This paper analyses the determinants of the extent of adoption of PHPs using cross-sectional data collected in Embu and Machakos counties of Kenya. Multivariate probit and ordered probit models were applied. The results reveal that there are significant correlations among the PHPs. Further analysis shows that the probability of and the level of adoption of PHPs is influenced by region, years of experience in mango farming, off-farm income, mango sales, number of mango trees, access to inputs, and perceptions towards PHPs. These results indicate that policymakers and their development counterparts ought to strengthen farmers' access to farm inputs and extension services, and address barriers to financial access to accelerate the adoption of PHPs.