Thumbnail Image

Thesis

Browse

20211
Reset filters
Subject: Extension Education × Author: Cherotich, Carolyne × Start date: 2020 × Type: Thesis ×
Reset filters

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemRestricted
    Behavioural intentions of vegetable growers for adoption of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) in Punjab, India and Nakuru, Kenya.
    (Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2021) Cherotich, Carolyne; Manmeet Kaur
    The present study was undertaken to examine vegetable growers‘ risk perception, their awareness of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), determinants of their intentions, and the applicability of Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) among vegetable growers to adopt GAP in Punjab, India, and Nakuru, Kenya. Primary data was collected by surveying 200 randomly selected vegetable growers comprising 100 in Punjab and 100 in Nakuru. Vegetable growers were randomly selected from a list obtained from the Department of Vegetable Science, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana and Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Nakuru County. An interview schedule was developed and used for data collection. Findings revealed that the majority of the vegetable growers in the two regions were of medium age, male, and had marginal landholdings. Vegetable production was a more profitable enterprise in Punjab than in Nakuru. Production occurred under different risk conditions with market risks, institutional risks, weather and climate change risks, and production risks perceived as the leading sources of challenges among the farmers in the two regions. A majority of the vegetable growers were unaware of GAP standards for vegetable production, with many deviating from the expected standards in their vegetable production activities. Most of the vegetable growers identified production costs, market exclusivity, training, government support, and access to labor as the key determinants to the use of GAP in their activities. The findings further revealed that behavioral intention to adopt GAP by vegetable growers is predicted by attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. Socio-personal and economic traits had no significant influence on the intention to adopt GAP among vegetable growers. Perceived risks highly influenced the farmers' intention to adopt GAP, with the relationship being of more significance in Punjab than in Nakuru. Beliefs about the consequences of behavior, such as higher income if GAP is adopted; beliefs regarding the influence of people of importance to the vegetable growers; and the perception that vegetable growers are in control had a significant impact on their attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. The Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) is highly applicable to the study of behavioral intention among vegetable growers. The study revealed the need for training and capacity building of vegetable growers regarding GAP, the need for partnerships and linkages with extension service providers, agrochemical companies, agricultural universities, and other institutions in GAP training and awareness creation. There is also a need for a price premium for vegetables produced following GAP standards and sufficient infrastructural support from the government to encourage the adoption of GAP.