Assessment of Sustainable Sugarcane Farming Practice Adoption among Smallholder Farmers in Kakamega North Sub-County, Kenya.

Abstract:

This study aimed to assess the current adoption status of Sustainable Sugarcane Farming Practices (SSFPs) among smallholder farmers in Kakamega North Sub-County, Kenya. A cross-sectional survey of 394 farmers assessed the use of each practice. Descriptive and chi-square tests quantified differences between adopters and non-adopters. Organic mulching enjoyed widespread adoption (84 %), driven by ready access to cane residue (χ² = 179.58, df = 1, p < 0.05). In contrast, only 7 % of farmers conducted soil tests (χ² = 289.96, df = 1, p < 0.05), and a mere 3 % practiced Integrated Weed Management (IWM), despite its proven yield benefits. Coordinated extension strategies are needed to enhance the adoption of these practices: deploy mobile soil-testing units to inform mulch and fertilizer recommendations and strengthen farmer field schools on IWM. Such integrated interventions break the cycle of limited resources and low practice uptake, ultimately improving sugarcane production.