EFFECT OF INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY ON THE LIVELIHOODS OF SMALL-SCALE MAIZE PRODUCERS

Research background: In Kenya, maize production has been severely constrained by parasitic pests and weeds such as Striga, stem borer, fall armyworm. The government of Kenya its partners have developed, disseminated, promoted the continual uptake integrated pest management technologies Push-Pull technology (PPT) a way addressing these constraints. Understanding effect on smallholder livelihoods is crucial, however, it largely ignored in literature. Purpose article: This study evaluates PPT an livelihood outcomes small-scale producers Homa Bay County. Methods: A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select sample 240 respondents. Cross-sectional data were gathered through face-to-face interviews using pretested semi-structured questionnaire, analysed descriptive statistics propensity score matching models. Findings & Value added: that age, education level, total land owned, perception Striga weed, armyworm severity, tenure positively influenced PPT, whereas distance nearest administrative centre negatively associated with it. Propensity results revealed had positive significant household consumption expenditure dietary diversity, negative impact poverty. study, therefore, recommended policies will ensure efficiency, literacy development, extension training, resource availability among non-adopters dis-adopters level continuous users.