Effects of Adoption of Agricultural Technologies on the Income of the Irish Potato Farmers: Application of Propensity Score Matching
Technology Adoption and Income of Irish Potato Farmers
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.66529/agripat.2026.2.SI.100Keywords:
Adoption, Agricultural Technologies, Income, Irish Potato, Propensity Score MatchingAbstract
Farm-level uptake of improved agricultural technologies is a key lever for raising Irish potato incomes worldwide. As global population growth continues to strain the food system, there is a pressing need for strategies that lift productivity and, with it, farmer earnings. Yet despite the crop’s economic weight, many smallholders still record modest returns because they have not fully embraced modern production technologies. This study therefore investigated how technology adoption shapes the income of Irish potato growers in Ol Kalou Sub-County, Kenya. Using a descriptive cross-sectional design, 385 respondents were drawn from a population of 21,942 smallholder Irish potato farmers. Descriptive statistics and Propensity Score Matching (PSM) were used, via SPSS version 28 and STATA version 17, to compare farmers who had and had not adopted technologies such as certified seed, fertilizer use, mechanization, irrigation, and integrated pest management. Adopters earned a significantly higher average income of KES 45,546.25 per acre against KES 30,230.10 per acre for non-adopters, with an estimated Average Treatment Effect on the Treated (ATT) of KES 15,316.15 per acre, a 50.67% income gain attributable to adoption. The results show that adopting agricultural technologies meaningfully lifts farm profitability by raising productivity, cutting production risk, and strengthening market participation. The study therefore recommends wider adoption of these technologies as a route to more efficient, lower-cost production.
References
Abdelhamid, A. A., Alhussan, A. A., Qenawy, A. S. T., Osman, A. M., Elshewey, A. M., & Eed, M. (2024). Potato harvesting prediction using an Improved ResNet-59 model. Potato Research, 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11540-024-09773-6 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11540-024-09773-6
Akoto, E., Othieno, C., & Ochuodho, J. (2020). Influence of Phosphorus Fertilizer on Potato Seed Production in Acid Soils in Kenya. Sustainable Agriculture Research, 9(2), 101. https://doi.org/10.5539/sar.v9n2p101 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5539/sar.v9n2p101
Ashfaq, M. A., & Tehreem. (2025). Determinants of Solar-Powered Irrigation System Adoption Among Rice Farmers in Hafizabad, Pakistan. Journal of Agricultural Policy and Transformation (AgriPaT), 1(1). https://doi.org/10.66529/agripat.2025.1.1.13
Ashraf, I., & Riaz, A. (2026). Improving Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability through Modern Extension Services: A Case Study in Rural Pakistan. Inverge Journal of Social Sciences, 5(1), 415-431. https://doi.org/10.63544/ijss.v5i1.257 DOI: https://doi.org/10.63544/ijss.v5i1.257
Atieno, E. O., Almekinders, C. J., & Struik, P. C. (2026). Developments and Challenges of the Kenyan Potato Sector: Implications for Smallholder Farmers. Potato Research, 69(3), 98. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11540-026-10038-7 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11540-026-10038-7
Austin, P. C. (2011). An introduction to propensity score methods for reducing the effects of confounding in observational studies. Multivariate behavioral research, 46(3), 399-424. https://doi.org/10.1080/00273171.2011.568786 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00273171.2011.568786
Badea, C. A., Iorga, A. M., Soare, E., & Stoicea, P. (2025). The global dilemma of potato yield: between expansion and efficiency. Scientific Papers Series Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture & Rural Development, 25(4), 69.
Blazy, J. M., Ozier-Lafontaine, H., Doré, T., Thomas, A., & Wery, J. (2009). A methodological framework that accounts for farm diversity in the prototyping of crop management systems. Application to banana-based systems in Guadeloupe. Agricultural systems, 101(1-2), 30-41. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2009.02.004 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2009.02.004
Chiarini, M., Furlan, L., Hiltpold, I., Barbanti, L., & la Forgia, D. (2026). Integrated Management of Potato Pests and Diseases with a Focus on Europe: A Review. Potato Research, 69(2), 44. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11540-025-09951-0 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11540-025-09951-0
Cochran, P. L. (2007). The evolution of corporate social responsibility. Business horizons, 50(6), 449-454. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BUSHOR.2007.06.004 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bushor.2007.06.004
County Government of Nyandarua (2018). Transforming Nyandarua: Unlocking the Great Potential. Development Plan CIDP 2018-2022
Djaman, K., Irmak, S., Koudahe, K., & Allen, S. (2021). Irrigation Management in Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Production: A Review. Sustainability, 13(3), 1504. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13031504 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su13031504
Evelyne, N., Daniel, N., Irene, N., & Ariel, K. (2021). Physico-chemical properties of selected Irish potato varieties grown in Kenya. African Journal Of Food Science, 15(1), 10-19. https://doi.org/10.5897/ajfs2020.2025 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5897/AJFS2020.2025
Fitz-Koch, S., Nordqvist, M., Carter, S., & Hunter, E. (2018). Entrepreneurship in the agricultural sector: A literature review and future research opportunities. Entrepreneurship theory and practice, 42(1), 129-166. https://doi.org/10.1177/1042258717732958 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1042258717732958
Hailu, B. K., Abrha, B. K., & Weldegiorgis, K. A. (2014). Adoption and impact of agricultural technologies on farm income: Evidence from Southern Tigray, Northern Ethiopia. International Journal of Food and Agricultural Economics (IJFAEC), 2(1128-2016-92058), 91-106. http://doi.org/10.22004/ag.econ.190816
Hoque, M., & Mondal, S. (2026). The way forward for sustainable food production. In Genetic and Reproductive Approaches for Sustainable Livestock Production (pp. 335-346). Academic Press.
Ishak, N. F., & Mazlan, Z. (2025). Key Challenges and Potentials of Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Farming in Malaysia: A Mini Review. Potato Research, 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11540-024-09845-7 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11540-024-09845-7
Kamau, S. W., Kuria, D. N., & Gachari, M. K. (2015). Crop-land suitability analysis using GIS and remote sensing in Nyandarua. Journal of Environment and Earth Science, 5(6): 121-132. https://www.iiste.org/Journals/index.php/JEES/article/view/20999/21248
Kangogo, E., Otieno, D. J., Okello, J., Mwenye, O., & Kapalasa, E. (2024). Impact of farmer training on potato yield: a case of smallholder potato farmers in Malawi. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 8, 1496064. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2024.1496064 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2024.1496064
Kansiime, M. K., Aliamo, C., Alokit, C., Rware, H., Murungi, D., Kamulegeya, P., ... & Kusasira Mulema, J. M. (2025). Pathways and business models for sustainable youth employment in agriculture: A review of research and practice in Africa. CABI Agriculture and Bioscience, 6(1), 0045. https://doi.org/10.1079/ab.2025.0045 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1079/ab.2025.0045
Kimbi, T. G., Akpo, E., Kongola, E., Ojiewo, C. O., Vernooy, R., Muricho, G., ... & Tabo, R. (2020). A probit Analysis of Determinants of Adoption of Improved Sorghum Technologies Among Farmers in Tanzania. Journal of Agricultural Science (TSI), 13(1), 73-87. https://doi.org/10.5539/jas.v13n1p73 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5539/jas.v13n1p73
Khurshid, M., Khurshid, I., Wattoo, F. M., & Rahman, M. (2026). Agro-Climatic Adaptability and Performance Evaluation of Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Varieties in the Hazara Region of Pakistan: Performance Evaluation of Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.). Journal of Agricultural Policy and Transformation, 2(2): 87-93. https://doi.org/10.66529/agripat.2026.2.2.78 DOI: https://doi.org/10.66529/agripat.2026.2.2.78
Li, X., & Song, Y. (2019). Target Population Statistical Inference with Data Integration Across Multiple Sources-An Approach to Mitigate Information Shortage in Rare Disease Clinical Trials. Statistics In Biopharmaceutical Research, 12(3), 322-333. https://doi.org/10.1080/19466315.2019.1654913 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/19466315.2019.1654913
Mahmood, G. G., Liberatori, S., & Mazzetto, F. (2025). Agricultural mechanization perspective in Pakistan: present challenges and digital future. Journal of Agricultural Engineering, 56(2), 1636. https://doi.org/10.4081/jae.2025.1636 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4081/jae.2025.1636
Mairiga, B., Omomoh, E., Gujahar, R. R. D., Nannim, S., Emmanuel, G. P., & Omirinde, M. O. (2026). Geospatial Techniques for Spatial Variability of Soil Physicochemical Properties and Their Impact on Irish Potato Production on the Jos Plateau: A Case Study of Jos South and Riyom Local Government Areas. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), 10(3). https://dx.doi.org/10.47772/IJRISS.2026.100300262 DOI: https://doi.org/10.47772/IJRISS.2026.100300262
Mumia, B., W. Muthomi, J., D. Narla, R., W. Nyongesa, M., & M. Olubayo, F. (2018). Seed Potato Production Practices and Quality of Farm Saved Seed Potato in Kiambu and Nyandarua Counties in Kenya. World Journal of Agricultural Research, 6(1), 20-30. https://doi.org/10.12691/wjar-6-1-5 DOI: https://doi.org/10.12691/wjar-6-1-5
Naseeb, A., Al-Khayat, A., Al-Shamali, S., Abdulmalik, N., Al-Asfour, M., Al-Jaber, A. F., & Behbehani, M. S. (2026). Economic Impacts Attributable to Climate Change on Arid Lands Agriculture and Food Security-Policy Development. In Fostering Arid Lands Agriculture in the Face of Climate Change: Mitigation and Adaptation Synergy (pp. 251-269). Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-98490-7_12 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-98490-7_12
Ngalaga, T. B., Wolfram Mlengule, D., & Sawe, J. R. (2026). Resilience among Smallholder Irish Potato Farmers to the Impacts of Climate Variability in Wanging’ombe District, Tanzania. Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 14(4), 21-41 https://commons.udsm.ac.tz/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1323&context=jhss DOI: https://doi.org/10.65085/2467-4745.1323
Nnahiwe, P., Hejkrlík, J., & Bavorová, M. (2023). Adopting modern agricultural technologies and impact on economic performance: evidence from cashew farmers in Kenya. International Food and Agribusiness Management Review, 1-26. https://doi.org/10.22434/ifamr2021.0100 DOI: https://doi.org/10.22434/ifamr2021.0100
Qin, R., Zhang, F., Yu, C., Zhang, Q., Qi, J., & Li, F. M. (2022). Contributions made by rain-fed potato with mulching to food security in China. European Journal of Agronomy, 133, 126435. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eja.2021.126435 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eja.2021.126435
Rambe, P., & Khaola, P. (2022). The impact of innovation on agribusiness competitiveness: the mediating role of technology transfer and productivity. European Journal of Innovation Management, 25(3), 741-773. https://doi.org/10.1108/EJIM-05-2020-0180 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/EJIM-05-2020-0180
Richards, T. J., & Rickard, B. (2020). COVID‐19 impact on fruit and vegetable markets. Canadian Journal of Agricultural Economics/Revue canadienne d'agroeconomie, 68(2), 189-194. https://doi.org/10.1111/cjag.12231 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/cjag.12231
Setiawan, A., & Inayati, C. (2020). The Analysis of Production Factors and Income of Potato Farming. JEJAK, 13(1), 17-29. https://doi.org/10.15294/jejak.v13i1.21965 DOI: https://doi.org/10.15294/jejak.v13i1.21965
Sharifi, P., Astereki, H., & Pouresmael, M. (2018). Evaluation of variations in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) yield and yield components by multivariate technique. Annals Of Agrarian Science, 16(2), 136-142. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aasci.2018.02.003 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aasci.2018.02.003
Siamalube, B., Lambert, E., Anyaji, C., & Ehinmitan, E. (2025). Advancements in Potato Science: Agronomy, Genetics, And Biotechnology for Sustainable Food Security. Potato Journal of India, 51(2): 244-258. http://doi.org/10.56093/potatoj.v51i2.159011 DOI: https://doi.org/10.56093/potatoj.v51i2.159011
Tehreem, & Ashfaq, M. A. (2025). Harnessing artificial intelligence for agricultural marketing: Evidence from farmers in Faisalabad, Pakistan. Journal of Agricultural Policy and Transformation (AgriPaT), 1(1), pp. 34–40. https://doi.org/10.66529/agripat.2025.1.1.11 DOI: https://doi.org/10.66529/agripat.2025.1.1.13
Tufa, A. H., Alene, A. D., Manda, J., Akinwale, M. G., Chikoye, D., Feleke, S., ... & Manyong, V. (2019). The productivity and income effects of adoption of improved soybean varieties and agronomic practices in Malawi. World development, 124, 104631. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2019.104631 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2019.104631
Unekwu, O., Mojisola, A., Tina, E., & Ogala, D. (2020). Perception and uptake of aquaculture technologies in Kogi state, central Nigeria: imperative for Improved Management practices for sustainable aquaculture development. African Journal of Agricultural Research, 16(6), 819-828. https://doi.org/10.5897/ajar2019.14558 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5897/AJAR2019.14558
Wang, N., Reidsma, P., & Ittersum, M. (2020). Scope and strategies for sustainable intensification of potato production in Northern China. Agronomy Journal, 112(5), 3591-3604. https://doi.org/10.1002/agj2.20269 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/agj2.20269
Additional Files
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Authors retain the copyright of their published work and grant the journal the right of first publication.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
All articles published in AgriPaT are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
