Influence of social capital on adoption of agricultural production technologies among beneficiaries of African institute for capacity development training programmes in Kenya

Abstract

Adoption of improved agricultural production technologies remains low amidst dissemination efforts by government and Non-Governmental Organizations in sub-Saharan Africa. This paper examines the role of social capital in the adoption of agricultural production technologies in Kenya. In particular, the paper focuses on how group participation, social trust, social support, social networks and collective action influence the adoption of such technologies. A survey research design employing a structured interview schedule was used to collect data from 120 respondents who were beneficiaries of training programmes implemented by the African Institute for Capacity Development (AICAD) in Kenya. Survey questions were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation coefficient and linear regression model. The findings show that group involvement and social support are the two important components of social capital that were positively associated with and significantly influenced adoption of appropriate agricultural production technologies. Conversely, social networks, social trust, and collective action did not significantly influence the adoption of agricultural production technologies. Based on these findings, it is recommended that capacity building programmes should work to strengthen the group approach in dissemination of technologies and exploit social support structures as part of an overall strategy to sustain and upscale the adoption of agricultural production technologies.