Farmers' propensity to adopting nutrient-dense crops in Kenya: A generalized ordered logit approach

Despite the increasing global commitment to address undernutrition, it remains a persistent problem affecting millions of people worldwide. This paper examined farmers’ propensity to adopt new nutrient-dense food products in Kenya. This research aims to bridge the gap in understanding the factors influencing farmers' choices in adopting nutrient-dense crops to enhance decrease in micro-nutrient deficiency. Consumer Decision Model theoretical framework, which considered various behavioral, economic, personal, and physical factors involved in the adoption decision-making process was utilized. A 4-point Likert scale was used to examine farmers' willingness to adopt nutrient dense crops using a structured questionnaire. The study was conducted in two counties in Kenya, Mukurweini and Kitui. Factors influencing farmers' willingness to adopt nutrents dense crops were analyzed using a generalized ordered logit regression model to examine the relationship between farmers' propensity to adopt nutrient-dense products and socioeconomic variables. The findings from this study contribute to and influence policies promoting resilient and nutrition-sensitive food systems. Results from the generalized logit analysis revealed several key factors that influence farmers' interest in newer crops with higher nutritional content. The findings indicate that socioeconomic factors investigated have varying effects on different categories of interest in different regions. Factors such as having primary education, using hired labour, being a group member, having a larger household size, possessing a larger land size, and not irrigating crops were found to have significant associations with farmers' interest to adopt Nutrient Dense Crops. These results emphasize the importance of considering local contexts and implementing targeted strategies to promote the adoption of newer crops among farmers. The study recommends gender-egalitarian policy shift on the uptake of improved agricultural technologies transforming food systems to safeguard local nutrition and health that will require a shift towards sufficient production of nutrient dense crops and other agricultural products.