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Willingness of Kale Farmers to Pay for Vermiliquid Biofertilizer in Bungoma County, Kenya
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Abstract
Improper management of agricultural wastes can result in adverse environmental, social and economic impacts for both producers and society. Bioconversion of agricultural wastes through composting by worms can turn organic wastes into biofertilizer products thus enhancing the circularity of agricultural systems. Adoption of biofertilizer products requires significant marketing efforts, but there is very little information on farmers’ willingness to pay for Vermiliquid organic fertilizer. This study provides insights into the willingness of smallholder farmers to pay (WTP) for Vermiliquid, a relatively new organic bio-fertilizer derived from worm composting. Unlike prior research that focused broadly on organic fertilizers, this study uniquely evaluates Vermiliquid’s specific attributes including its safety in use, ability to enhance vegetative growth and yields, pest-repelling potential, and environmental friendliness. The study quantifies WTP and identifies key factors influencing farmers’ adoption behavior. Results indicate that 92.19% of sampled farmers expressed willingness to pay for Vermiliquid, with determinants such as access to credit, off-farm income, and access to information significantly influencing their decisions. These findings underscore the critical role of financial capacity and knowledge dissemination in supporting the uptake of emerging sustainable inputs. This study is among the first to assess market demand for Vermiliquid in the Kenyan context and contributes original evidence to inform the design of targeted interventions for organic fertilizer promotion. It recommends strengthening farmer access to organic fertilizers, agricultural information, off-farm income, and supports policies that encourage the scaling up of organic alternatives like Vermiliquid to improve productivity, soil health and sustainability.
Elegwa, M. , Ngigi, M. and Opondo, F. A. (2025). Willingness of Kale Farmers to Pay for Vermiliquid Biofertilizer in Bungoma County, Kenya . Open Access Library Journal, 12, e14088. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1114088.
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