Conservation Technologies and Smallholder Farmers in Kibera: A Qualitative Study of Soil Conservation Adoption

Soil conservation is crucial for sustainable agriculture in arid regions such as Kibera slums in Kenya, where soil erosion poses significant challenges to smallholder farmers. Qualitative research methods including semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions were employed to gather data from 30 smallholder farmers over a period of six months. A notable theme emerged regarding the perceived benefits such as increased crop yields, which led some farmers to adopt soil conservation technologies despite initial skepticism. While there is potential for broader adoption, barriers like limited access to financial resources and insufficient knowledge about technology effectiveness persist. Investment in farmer education programmes and providing subsidies could enhance the uptake of these technologies among smallholder farmers.