The Level of Adoption of Vegetable Sun-Drying Technology in Teso South Sub County, Kenya

Abstract

Sun-drying is one of the most efficient and cost-effective, renewable, and sustainable technologies to conserve agricultural products in sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries. The aim of this study was to determine the level of adoption of vegetable sun-drying technology in Teso South sub-County, Kenya. A mixed survey design was used to access the target population. The population was first grouped into strata before the actual size was determined. Simple random sampling technique was used to administer semi-structured questionnaire to 384 farmers. Data gathered was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The study found out that 73% of respondents were aware of vegetable sun drying technology.  The main source of information about sun-drying technology were farmer to farmer extension (59%), field days and demos (15%), researchers (10%) and agricultural extension services (9%). The study also revealed that seasonality had great influence on utilization of sun-drying technology with majority of the respondents preferring to sun-dry their vegetables whenever they had surplus (62%) and during the dry seasons (30%). The main reason for sun-drying vegetables was to increase availability during off season (40%). Cowpeas (63%), black night shade (12%), spider plant and amaranth (7%) were the most preferred sun-dried vegetables. The main materials used to sun-dry vegetables were polythene paper (32%), gunny bags (27%) and trays (20%). The major constraints to the use of sun-drying technology were unfavourable weather conditions (54%) and disturbance from livestock (21%) as most farmers lacked fabrication skills for enclosed solar dryers. In conclusion, sun-drying technology had positive influence on living standard of the people and therefore more farmers should be encouraged to embrace it. The study recommends commercialization of enclosed solar dryers by TVET institutions to overcome challenges associated with traditional sun-drying methods.