Tropentag, September 16 - 18, 2026, Göttingen "Towards multi-functional agro-ecosystems promoting climate-resilient futures"

Gendered seeking behaviour of plant health advisory services in Kenya

¹Egerton University, Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Management, Kenya
²Pwani University, School of Agricultural Sciences and Agribusiness, Kenya

Abstract

Plant health clinics are demand-driven initiatives that offer farmers plant health advisory services to minimize pre- and post-harvest losses caused by pests and diseases and increase food production. Therefore, the study aimed to assess gender differences in smallholder tomato farmers’ plant health advisory service-seeking behaviour, focusing on gender-disaggregated data. Data on self-reported estimates of plant health advisory service-seeking behaviour were collected through a multistage sampling procedure using a pre-tested, electronically designed semi-structured questionnaire administered to 385 respondents in Kirinyaga County, Kenya. Overall, structural equation modelling results indicated farmers’ service-seeking intentions did not significantly translate into actual behaviour. Multigroup analysis results indicated no gender differences in plant health advisory service-seeking intentions between male and female farmers, likely influenced by their attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control, and motivation. However, a gender difference was observed in actual service-seeking behaviour, with male farmers more likely to act on their intentions than their female counterparts. These findings underscore the need for policies that support evidence-based demonstrations, employ behavioural nudges, strengthen the presence of female extension staff, promote gender-sensitive training for plant health clinic personnel, expand awareness campaigns, and scale up digital advisory platforms to encourage the actual service-seeking behaviour among farmers.

Keywords: Kenya, plant health advisory services, plant health clinics, PLS-multigroup analysis, seeking behaviour

Contact Address: Bathwell Oliver Ombuya, Egerton University, Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Management, Nakuru, Kenya, e-mail: bombuya98gmail.com