Smallholder Farmers In Kenya Research Articles

Analysis of Technical Efficiency on Orange Fleshed Sweet Potatoes Production Among the Smallholder Farmers in Migori County Kenya

Sweet potatoes (<i>Ipomea batatas </i>L.), particularly the orange fleshed variety, have become increasingly popular due to their ability to thrive in various environmental conditions with minimal inputs. Orange fleshed sweet potatoes (OFSPs) show potential for productivity, yet smallholder farmers in Kenya still struggle to maximize their yields. The factors influencing OFSP production efficiency among these farmers in Western Kenya have not been thoroughly examined. This study evaluated the technical efficiency of OFSP production among smallholder farmers in Migori County. Using a descriptive research design, a sample of 225 OFSP farmers was randomly selected by a cluster sampling technique. Data was collected through a structured questionnaire on inputs and selected socio-economic factors. The data was analyzed using the frontier stochastic model in STATA. Smallholder farmers estimated mean technical efficiency was 77.82% significant variables were; size of the land, availability of planting vines, access to hired labour, gender of the household decision maker, farming experience, household size, land ownership status, participation in training programs and extension services, and proximity to markets, indicating a need to improve OFSP production by 22.18%. These findings suggest that to reduce inefficiencies among smallholder OFSP farmers, targeted training programs are needed to enhance farmers' agronomic knowledge specific to OFSP production. Further, policy interventions should prioritize the provision of extension services to support and improve the performance of OFSP smallholder farmers.

Evaluating the Gendered Credit Constraints and Uptake of an Insurance-Linked Credit Product Among Smallholder Farmers in Kenya

Using data from a multi-arm experiment among maize and bean smallholder farmers in Kenya, we evaluate the gender differences in credit rationing, and whether an insurance-bundled credit product, known as risk-contingent credit (RCC) could enhance credit access for both men and women. Using 3 years of household survey data, we find that female-headed households are significantly more risk-rationed (or demand-side rationed) than men. Post-intervention, we find that the impacts of RCC on credit uptake decisions are significantly larger than those of conventional credit. We also find that RCC impacts do not vary across the different gender categories.

A Comparative Assessment of Soil Biodiversity and Physicochemical Characteristics in Conservation and Conventional Smallholder Farms in Kenya

A Comparative Assessment of Soil Biodiversity and Physicochemical Characteristics in Conservation and Conventional Smallholder Farms in Kenya

Adapting agriculture to climate change: institutional determinants of adoption of climate-smart agriculture among smallholder farmers in Kenya

Adapting agriculture to climate change: institutional determinants of adoption of climate-smart agriculture among smallholder farmers in Kenya

Impacts of Strategic Climate-Smart Crop Varieties and Livestock Breeds on Improved Food Security of Smallholder Farmers in Kenya’s Coast Counties <br>

Impacts of Strategic Climate-Smart Crop Varieties and Livestock Breeds on Improved Food Security of Smallholder Farmers in Kenya’s Coast Counties <br>

Navigating Market Choices: Understanding Carrot Market Outlet Selection among Smallholder Farmers in Kenya

Navigating Market Choices: Understanding Carrot Market Outlet Selection among Smallholder Farmers in Kenya

Impacts of Strategic Climate-smart Crop Varieties and Livestock Breeds on Improved Food Security of Smallholder Farmers in Kenya's Coast Counties  <br>

Impacts of Strategic Climate-smart Crop Varieties and Livestock Breeds on Improved Food Security of Smallholder Farmers in Kenya's Coast Counties  <br>

A Comparative Assessment of Soil Biodiversity and Physicochemical Characteristics in Conservation and Conventional Smallholder Farms in Kenya

A Comparative Assessment of Soil Biodiversity and Physicochemical Characteristics in Conservation and Conventional Smallholder Farms in Kenya

Cost benefit analysis of a netting technology package in real farming conditions among smallholder farmers in Kenya

Cost benefit analysis of a netting technology package in real farming conditions among smallholder farmers in Kenya

Dairy goats' management and performance under smallholder farming systems in Eastern Africa: the systematic review and meta-analysis.

The systematic review and meta-analysis study was conducted to describe dairy goat management practices among smallholder farmers in Kenya and Tanzania. The study also evaluated the effects of breed and upgrade level (50%, 75% and > 75%) on growth and lactation performances. Google Scholar was used to search for dairy goats' studies followed by an eligibility check. Eligible studies were assessed for risk of bias using RoB 2.0 (Cochrane risk-of-bias in randomised trial) and ROBINS-I (Risk of Bias Assessment in Non-Randomised Studies of Interventions). Smallholder farmers were mainly stall-feeding natural pasture and crop residues to goats with supplementation limited by the high costs of concentrate feeds. Forage cultivation and conservation were limited by the scarcity of land and improved forageplanting materials, lowtechnical know-how andhigh labour demand. Similarly, farmers had limited access to formal market, veterinary and extension services. Prevalence of infectious diseases, antibiotic resistance and pre-weaning kid mortality were high. Nevertheless, there were breed effects (p < 0.05) on pre-weaning growth and weaning weight but not lactation parameters. However, Saanen goats had relatively higher lactation length (252days) and yield (637l) than other goat breeds. Daily milk and lactation yields, pre-weaning growth and growth rate (post-weaning) varied significantly among upgrade levels (p < 0.05) and were highest in > 75% level. It was concluded that Saanen goats and > 75% were the best breed and upgrade level for goat milk production in smallholder farms due to high lactation performance. Improving the different managerial aspects of smallholder dairy goat farming is of paramount importance if the dairy goats' performance, farm income, food safety and security are to be improved in Eastern Africa.

Challenges Faced by Smallholder Farmers in the Implementation of Adaptation Strategies to Climate Variability in the Arid and Semi-Arid Areas in Kenya

Smallholder Farmers in Kenya have several challenges in implementing adaptation strategies due to the prevailing climate change and variability. It is unclear how various challenges have affected the farmers, especially in Evurore division, Embu County. Therefore, this paper examined the challenges smallholder farmers face in implementing adaptation strategies to climate variability in Kenya's arid and semi-arid areas. The study adopted a descriptive research design with a target population of 50,620 people from 13,008 households in the Evurore division. A sample of 169 respondents was selected scientifically from the target population using the Yamane Taro formula. The sample population was also comprised of 17 key officials purposively chosen for the study. The study relied on primary and secondary data obtained using semi-structured questionnaires and published metrological data. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as mean and frequencies and regression analysis. The paper established that implementing the adaptation strategies has been minimal due to smallholder farmers' challenges, including a lack of training for smallholder farmers on climate-smart agriculture, conservation agriculture, soil conservation, and water conservation. These challenges negatively influenced the farmer's adaptation strategies. This study used a regression model to determine the relationship between the smallholder farmers' perception of climate change and the adaptation strategies used to adapt to climate change. The study results indicate a significant positive correlation between challenges ( r = 0.068; p &lt; 0.05). The paper recommended that the government, through agricultural extension officers, train farmers on the effective implementation of adaptive strategies in the region. Keywords: Climate Variability, Arid and semi-arid areas, Smallholder Farmers and Adaptation Strategies to Climate variability DOI: 10.7176/JEES/13-3-05 Publication date: April 30 th 2023

Characterization of Existing Rural Finance Markets that can Enhance Participation in Climate Smart Agricultural Technologies in Kenya

Purpose: In Kenya, small holder farmers face climate change related challenges. It is therefore imperative to enhance adaptive capacity through climate smart agricultural (CSA) technologies. Access to finance is a significant enabler for adoption of CSA technologies yet small holder farmers, especially women, have an acute financing gap for agriculture. The purpose of the study was to characterize existing rural finance markets that can enhance adoption of Climate smart agricultural technologies among small holder farmers in Kenya and also improve the participation of other agricultural value chain actors in climate smart agricultural technologies. This was to enhance a better understanding of existing rural financial services available to agricultural value chain actors and the potential of the financial institutions to increase credit access to the value chain actors.&#x0D; Methodology: The study used cross sectional data gathered through questionnaires administered on farmers, rural financial institutions and other actors in eight, Kenya Climate Agricultural Project (KCSAP) counties in Kenya. Data was analyzed using Stata statistical package and presented using tables and figures.&#x0D; Findings: Rotating and savings credit associations (ROSCAs) were the main credit source for most households. Findings revealed that farmers rarely access insurance for their farming activities. Unlike farmers, other actors for instance, agro processors and agro dealers get loans through mobile phones where short term loans were borrowed from different providers. Majority of financial institutions were serving agricultural sector.&#x0D; Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study had presumed that access to rural financial market services by value chain actors in climate smart technologies for crops and livestock will be enhanced and this will increase adoption in the target Counties. The theory or assumption was validated in a workshop by all stakeholders which was followed up by linking up the value chain actors and the financial institutions through capacity building forums. Financial institutions could leverage on existing models used by ROSCAs to increase access to rural financial services especially by women and youth. A gender-transformative approach should be considered to increase women access to rural financial services.

Supporting the capacities and knowledge of smallholder farmers in Kenya for sustainable agricultural futures: a Citizen Science pilot project.

Sub-Saharan Africa is often presented as the continent most vulnerable to climatic change with major repercussions for food systems. Coupled with high rates of population growth, continued food insecurity and malnutrition, thus the need to enhance food production across the continent is seen as a major global imperative. We argue here, however, that current models of agricultural development in Eastern Africa frequently marginalise critical smallholder knowledge from the process of future agricultural design due to a lack of a methodological tools for engagement. This paper addresses this by outlining a potential means to capture and share locally produced agronomic information on a large scale. We report on a 'Citizen Science' pilot study that worked with smallholder farmers in Elgeyo-Marakwet County, Western Kenya, to co-design a mobile application using the well-developed Sapelli platform that easily allows farmers to identify, record and geolocate cropping patterns and challenges at multiple stages in the agricultural calendar using their own understanding. The pilot project demonstrated the technical and epistemological benefits of co-design, the abilities of smallholder farmers to co-design and use smartphone applications, and the potential for such technology to produce and share valuable agricultural and ecological knowledge in real time. Proof-of-concept data illustrates opportunities to spatially and temporally track and respond to challenges related to climate, crop disease and pests. Such work expounds how smallholder farmers are a source of largely untapped ecological and agronomic expert knowledge that can, and should, be harnessed to address issues of future agricultural resilience and food system sustainability.

Pumps, prosperity and household power: Experimental evidence on irrigation pumps and smallholder farmers in Kenya

Irrigation is a potentially effective technology to improve agricultural incomes in Sub-Saharan Africa, and hand powered irrigation pumps have received significant interest and investment as a solution appropriate to small-scale farmers in this context. This paper describes the results of an RCT impact evaluation of household irrigation pumps in Kenya, where we randomly allocated free pumps to the female head of household via public lotteries. After two years farmers are still making significant use of their pumps and allocating increased time to irrigated agriculture. We find that pumps increase net farm revenue by approximately 13% of the control mean, and pay for themselves within three years. In addition, we find that farmers with irrigation pumps spent less time on off-farm economic activity. Finally, we find that female decisionmaking power increased and domestic violence decreased among treatment households.

Impact of climate-smart maize varieties on household income among smallholder farmers in Kenya: The case of Embu County

Variability in climate and debility in soil fertility affect agrarian production, especially in subSaharan Africa, and thus threaten food security. This has prompted the seed sector to introduce various varieties of climate-smart maize in Kenya and release them in the market. In contrast, there is little experiential insight into how the adoption of these varieties by small-scale farmers affects their household income. This paper used cross-sectional data to evaluate the implications of climatesmart maize varieties on small-scale farmers’ household income in Embu County in Kenya. The endogenous switching regression model was used to estimate the influence of climate-smart maize adoption on household income. Based on survey data obtained from 550 maize farmers in Embu County, the results show that age, education, land under climate-smart maize varieties, and distance to the market positively influenced the income level of the adopters. The findings further reveal that the decision to adopt the climate-smart maize varieties had a significant positive effect of about 60% on farmers’ household income. It therefore can be concluded from the results that the adopters would gain more from technology adoption. These results recommend policies that stimulate the adoption of current climate-smart varieties, with an emphasis on adoption by youths, to create more jobs and increase household income to reduce poverty among smallholder farmers in Kenya

Impacts of climate-smart crop varieties and livestock breeds on the food security of smallholder farmers in Kenya

This paper analyses the impact of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) technologies on household dietary diversity and food insufficiency as indicators of food and nutrition security in Kenya. Using a combination of Propensity Score Matching and endogenous treatment effect approaches, we found that adoption of stress-tolerant varieties of several crops (such as bean, pigeon pea, cowpea, maize and sorghum) improved household dietary diversity score by 40% and reduced food insufficiency by 75%. Adoption of improved and resilient livestock breeds (including Red Maasai sheep and Galla goats) improved household dietary diversity by 38% while reducing household food insufficiency by 90%. We also found that stress-tolerant crop varieties were more effective in improving food security outcomes among households with large landholdings and with more educated and younger to middle-age heads. Effects of resilient livestock breeds on household food security were much stronger for households with large landholdings and with young and/or much older heads that have low levels of education. Given the large, demonstrated benefits from the use of the CSA technologies, policies and programs aimed at their promotion should apply appropriate targeting to ensure wider uptake of the technologies and maximum returns on investment.

Maize grain yield responses to realistic biochar application rates on smallholder farms in Kenya

Despite efforts to increase agricultural production sustainably in sub-Saharan Africa, large gaps remain between actual and potential yield of food crops. Adding biochar to degraded cropland soils in the African tropics has significant potential to enhance crop productivity. Biochar-based farming can also mitigate climate change, through soil carbon storage. This study involved six smallholder farms at sites in eastern, central, and western Kenya that are characterized by different pedo-climatic conditions. We examined the response of non-fertilized and fertilized maize monoculture to three dosages of biochar that are realistic for domestic production by farmers at each of the sites over four growing seasons. Commonly available biomass wastes in each agro-ecosystem (coconut shells, coffee husks, maize cobs) were used as feedstock for biochar, which was applied at 1, 5, and 10 Mg ha−1 at the start of the experiment. Across seasons and fertilizer treatments, maize grain yield (dry matter) showed consistently positive responses, with an average increase of 1.0, 2.6, and 4.0 Mg ha−1, respectively, above the control for the three biochar application rates. Absolute responses of maize grain yield to specific biochar doses were similar across the four investigated seasons and replicate farms within sites, and uncorrelated to yield levels in the control treatment. Here, we show for the first time that yield response to biochar decreased with increasing application rate, indicating that it may be better to spread a given amount of biochar over a large area rather than concentrating it to a smaller area, at least when biochar is applied along plant rows at rates ≥1 Mg ha−1, as in our experiment. This study demonstrated that application of biochar, locally produced from available biomass residues, is a promising approach to enhance agricultural production and carbon storage on smallholder farms under a wide range of pedo-climatic conditions in Kenya.

Experience of shocks, household wealth and expectation formation: Evidence from smallholder farmers in Kenya

AbstractWhen faced with uncertain events, decision‐makers form expectations about the events’ likelihood of occurrence. However, the drivers and moderators of such expectations are still poorly understood, especially for farm decision‐makers in developing countries whose incomes are very risky by nature. This article analyses the dynamic shock expectation formation process of farmers in Kenya with regard to a range of shock events using a unique panel dataset. The results suggest that farmers are more likely to update their expectation regarding a specific adverse shock when they have recently been affected by that shock or by more shocks in general. In case of price shocks, farmers are also more likely to update expectations when a larger proportion of fellow village members was affected. However, household wealth moderates the relationship between shock expectation and experience, such that wealthier households are less likely to update their expectations following a shock. A better understanding of the drivers of expectation formation can help in the design of better risk management instruments that increase farmers’ resilience.

EFFECT OF INOCULATING Bradyrhizobium liaoningense ON GROWTH, CHLOROPHYLL CONCENTRATION, NODULATION AND YIELD OF SOYA BEANS

Soya bean is important staple food crops in Western Kenya. Legumes play a significant role in agriculture by fixing nitrogen. Currently Kenya is experiencing low yield of soya beans. Approximately 0.8 t/ha is under production and this is due to low soil fertility. This has posed a threat to agricultural productivity. Symbiotic rhizobia inoculation increases crop yields through biological nitrogen fixation. However, the potential of Bradyrhizobium liaoningense in improving yield and productivity of soya beans has not been documented. Rhizobia bacteria are known to improve growth and yield of several other crops but the effect of inoculating soya beans with B. liaoningense on growth, chlorophyll concentration, nodulation and yields has not been determined. This study was conducted at Maseno University under greenhouse conditions. Previously purified local isolates of B. liaoningense (S3) from wild soya beans plants were used to inoculate the soya bean seeds. 4.5 litre plastic pots were filled with 7kg of top soil. Ten seeds of Soya beans coated with Bradyrhizobium liaoningense inoculants were sown in each pot except the control. The seeds were treated with the isolates inoculants as: un-inoculated (control), 1.07x107 cfu/ml, 1.19x107 cfu/ml, 1.31x107 cfu/ml and 2.67x107 cfu/ml inoculation of B. liaoningense. The experiment was laid out as Completely Randomised Design (CRD). The treatments were replicated three times. After two weeks of germination, the seedlings were thinned to three plants per pot. Watering was done daily with 200 ml of water per pot up to the end of the experiment. Data on plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, shoot and root fresh weight and dry weight, chlorophyll concentration, number of nodules and number of pods were determined. Data was subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Treatments means were separated using Fisher’s Least Significant Difference at (P = 0.05). Soya bean growth, chlorophyll concentration, number of nodules and number of pods after inoculation treatments were significantly different among the treatments (P ≤ 0.05). Plant height, number of leaves and leaf area were highest in 2.67 x 107 cfu/ml of B. liaoningense inoculation followed by 1.31x 107 cfu/ml inoculation, 1.19x107 cfu/ml, 1.07x107 cfu/ml and lowest in un-inoculated. Inoculation at 2.67 x 107 cfu/ml significantly increased soya bean root and shoot fresh weight and dry weights. Chlorophyll concentration was found to be highest in 2.67 x 107 cfu/ml treatment and lowest in un-inoculated control treatment. Inoculation at 2.67 x 107 cfu/ml increased the number of nodules of soya beans. Number of pod per plant were highest at 2.67 x 107 cfu/ml treatment and lowest in un-inoculated (control treatment). These findings showed that B. liaoningense inoculation was effective in enhancing growth, chlorophyll synthesis, formation of root nodules and pods in soya beans. From the study it can be recommended that B. liaoningense from wild soya bean may be used as a biofertiliser to improve productivity of soya beans by smallholder farmers in Kenya.

Grain Yield and Economic Benefit of Soybean as Affected by Integration of Rhizobium Inoculation and Phosphorus Application in Chuka Sub-County, Kenya

Soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merrill) yields are far below the potential yield on most smallholder farms in Kenya. This necessitates suitable interventions to bridge this yield gap and result to profitable soybean production. An experiment was conducted in Chuka University demonstration farm, Chuka Sub County to determine the effect of integration of rhizobium inoculation (R) and phosphorus (P) on yields and net economic returns in soybean cultivation. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design in a split-split plot arrangement with each treatment replicated three times. The experiment which was conducted between 2018 and 2019 was repeated once and the treatments included; three P rates (0, 20 and 30 kg/ha), three rhizobium rates (0, 100 and 200 g/ha) and two soybean genotypes (SB19 and SB24). Triple superphosphate (0:46:0) was used as the source of the phosphorus. The soybean genotypes, rhizobium and phosphorus rates were assigned to the main plot, sub-plot and the sub-sub plots respectively. Data collected included soybean yields (kg/ha) and economic analysis was calculated. The data collected was subjected to analysis of variance using Statistical Analysis System® 9.4 and significantly different means separated using Tukeys test at (p≤0.05). The results showed statistically significant difference in soybean yields and net economic benefit within SB19 and SB24 genotypes in both trials at (p≤0.05). Integration of R and P at the rate of 200 g and 30 kg/ha increased soybean yield by 101% and 98%, and 158% and 138% for SB19 and SB24 in trial I and II respectively. This earned a net economic benefit of ksh. 239,496 and 192,730, and ksh. 297,930 and 239,330 for SB19 and SB24 in both trials I and II, respectively. Both genotypes performed well in yield and net economic benefit and application of R and P at the rate of 200 g/ha and 30 kg/ha promoted yield and net economic benefit of soybean.