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Knowledge diffusion efficiency in agricultural information networks: evidence from dairy information networks in Kenya

¹Egerton University, Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Management
²Egerton University, Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Management
³Egerton University, Economics Department

Abstract

Social networks are increasingly becoming important in determining farmers' social and economic outcomes. The innovations in social network tools over the last twenty years have arguably enhanced researchers’ understanding of farm-to-farm and group-member connectedness in various spheres of social and economic endeavour. Further, the role of interpersonal networks, either via discussion groups, farmer-to-farmer ties or peer advice networks, facilitating learning has been demonstrated in several studies This paper applies the weighted knowledge collaboration model to interrogate factors influencing knowledge diffusion efficiency in dairy information networks in Kenya. Multi-stage sampling is used to select 390 dairy farmers operating in formal and informal dairy networks. A two-limit Tobit regression is derived to elicit the determinants of knowledge diffusion efficiencies in composite, formal and informal networks. Dairy information networks operate significantly below their potential in the diffusion of dairy information knowledge. It may thus be surmised that the aforementioned networks may be failing to effectively facilitate optimal diffusion of current dairy knowledge to farmers within the context of extant agricultural information networks. A typical dairy farmer operates at 49% and 66% below his/her knowledge diffusion efficiency. The relationship between knowledge diffusion efficiency and farmers gender is negative in composite, formal and informal networks; whereas the relationship between farmer prominence/influence is positive in composite networks, and negative in formal and informal networks. Access to credit and access to extension services have the most considerable marginal effect on knowledge diffusion efficiency; farmer dairy experience has the least marginal effect on the same. Policies encouraging dairy farmers to increase their uptake of loans and credit facilities need to be encouraged. There is a need for dairy information networks to leverage on existing state and non-state extension platforms to increase the efficiency in knowledge diffusion.

Keywords: Knowledge diffusion efficiency, network efficiency, weighted knowledge collaboration model

Contact Address: Oyugi Nyanjong', Egerton University, Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Management, Economics dept #536, 20115 Egerton, Kenya, e-mail: jnyanjongegerton.ac.ke