Articles: Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension
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Browsing Articles: Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension by Author "Isaboke, Hezron N."
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Item Analysis of the determinants of farmer participation in sorghum farming among small-scale farmers in Siaya County, Kenya(Elsevier Ltd., 2020-09-16) Okeyo, Samuel; Ndirangu, Samuel N.; Isaboke, Hezron N.; Njeru, Lucy K; Omenda, Jane ASorghum as a drought tolerant crop provides an alternative opportunity towards increasing food production in the face of global climate change, mostly affecting Sub-Saharan Africa. Kenya is in the fore front in increasing the production of sorghum since its landmass is 80 percent arid and semi-arid. Few studies have evaluated farm and farmer related characteristics affecting adoption of sorghum production. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine how selected factors affect the propensity of farmers to adopt sorghum production in Siaya County, Kenya. A total of 300 households were randomly selected as respondents in four sub-counties under sorghum production. Data was collected using semistructured interview schedules administered to the selected farm households. The selected factors were subjected to descriptive analysis, while binary logistic regression model was applied for the quantitative analysis of the effect of these factors on adoption of sorghum production. The results of the regression analysis reveal that farm size, land size allocated to maize, beans and groundnut enterprise, land ownership and access to training significantly affected adoption of sorghum farming. The study underscores the significant impact of resource allocation decisions on uptake of sorghum production among farm households. Our findings show that farmers with larger farms are more likely to adopt sorghum production. However, due to industrial demand and food security potential of sorghum, we recommend that the extension service providers should also incentivize those with smaller farms to participate in sorghum production. Policies that will make sorghum enterprise more competitive over other crops, both at the farm and market level, are key. In addition, agricultural development policies should target provision of such services like training to streamline sorghum production in the arid and semi-arid areas in Kenya.Item Analysis of the determinants of farmer participation in sorghum farming among small-scale farmers in Siaya County, Kenya(Elsevier, 2020-09) Okeyo, Samuel O.; Ndirangu, Samuel N.; Isaboke, Hezron N.; Njeru, Lucy K.; Omenda, Jane A.Sorghum as a drought tolerant crop provides an alternative opportunity towards increasing food production in the face of global climate change, mostly affecting Sub-Saharan Africa. Kenya is in the fore front in increasing the production of sorghum since its landmass is 80 percent arid and semi-arid. Few studies have evaluated farm and farmer related characteristics affecting adoption of sorghum production. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine how selected factors affect the propensity of farmers to adopt sorghum production in Siaya County, Kenya. A total of 300 households were randomly selected as respondents in four sub-counties under sorghum production. Data was collected using semi-structured interview schedules administered to the selected farm households. The selected factors were subjected to descriptive analysis, while binary logistic regression model was applied for the quantitative analysis of the effect of these factors on adoption of sorghum production. The results of the regression analysis reveal that farm size, land size allocated to maize, beans and groundnut enterprise, land ownership and access to training significantly affected adoption of sorghum farming. The study underscores the significant impact of resource allocation decisions on uptake of sorghum production among farm households. Our findings show that farmers with larger farms are more likely to adopt sorghum production. However, due to industrial demand and food security potential of sorghum, we recommend that the extension service providers should also incentivize those with smaller farms to participate in sorghum production. Policies that will make sorghum enterprise more competitive over other crops, both at the farm and market level, are key. In addition, agricultural development policies should target provision of such services like training to streamline sorghum production in the arid and semi-arid areas in Kenya.Item Analysis of the factors affecting farm-level output of mangoes among small-scale farmers in Mwala Sub-County, Kenya(2022-06) Isaboke, Hezron N.; Musyoka, KennedyThe factors affecting farm-level output of mangoes among small-scale farmers in Mwala Sub-County, Kenya were examined. The first stage of regression analysis resulted that family and hired labour, amount of pesticides and manure had positively significant affected on mango farm-level output. The results on the second stage of the factor affecting mango output was household size, farming income, area allocated to mango farming (farm size), amount of credit, and extension contacts which exhibited positively affected on mango output, while cost of pesticides and manure precipitated had negatively affected. The study recommended that relevant authorities should strengthen the extension contact for encouraging farmers to practice the best and recommended management practices on mango farming to improve production. Furthermore, small-scale mango farmers accessed to functional input markets would enhance farm-level mango output.Item Comparing productivity of rice under system of rice intensification and conventional flooding: A switching regression approach(Academic Journals, 2020-10) Kaloi, Francis Kadipo; Isaboke, Hezron N.; Onyari, Charles N.; Njeru, Lucy K.This paper examined the factors influencing rice productivity in Mwea Irrigation Scheme using the System of rice intensification (SRI) and conventional flooding (CF). Stratified sampling was used to obtain 364 smallholder rice farmers for interviewing. Data collection was done with the aid of a semistructured questionnaire and analyzed using the Endogenous Switching regression Model (ESRM). The results of ESRM revealed that factors such as household size, access to extension services, involvement in off-farm work, distance from the canal, farm size, labour use, access to credit services and years spent in rice farming were found to be significant in explaining variations in rice productivity. Furthermore, the gross margin analysis showed that the returns of SRI outweigh the returns of CF, thus making SRI more profitable than CF. The study therefore recommends that Kenya government should enhance engagement with development partners to pay attention to all significant factors which are important in making decisions in the two practices of rice production.Item Determinants Influencing the Adoption of Rice Intensification System among Smallholders in Mwea Irrigation Scheme, Kenya(Hindawi, 2021-03) Kaloi, Francis Kadipo; Isaboke, Hezron N.; Onyari, Charles N.; Njeru, Lucy K.Rice farming has received considerable attention in developing countries and particularly in Kenya due to its impact on smallholders’ income and food security. Irrigated rice is the largest consumer of water, and its sustainability is threatened by water shortage. *is has necessitated the development of alternative irrigation water technologies, such as the system of rice intensification (SRI), which are efficient in water use with improved yields. *is study analyzed the determinants of adoption of SRI in the Mwea Irrigation Scheme where stratified sampling was used to obtain 364 smallholder rice farmers. A semistructured questionnaire was used to collect primary data, which was then analyzed using a binary logistic regression model. *e results showed that age (−0.3%) was significant but with a negative effect on adoption of SRI. Farm size (2.499%), household size (1.895%), distance from the canal (1.354%), off-farm work (3.953%), access to credit services (8.714%), access to extension services (7.809%), and years in rice farming (0.409%) were found positively and significantly influencing factors to the adoption of SRI. *erefore, this study concludes that smallholders attempt to improve rice productivity through adoption of SRI should give a special priority to all significant factors.Item Determinants of adoption of butternut squash (Cucurbita moschata) farming among small-holders in Suba district, Kenya(2012) Isaboke, Hezron N.; Mshenga, Patience; Mutai, B.K.; Saidi, M.Butternut squash (Cucurbita moschata) is an emerging economic crop in Kenya with ready market and high nutritional value. Despite this, its adoption as a major cash crop in Suba District has remained low. The aim of the study was to investigate the determinants of adoption and extent of adoption of butternut squash. The study area was chosen due to persistence of poverty despite the fact that the area has conditions that are favourable for the production of high value crops like butternut squash. Cross-sectional data were collected from a sample of 120 farmers selected through multi-stage sampling. The data were subjected to the Heckman two-step regression analysis to obtain the determinants of adoption and the extent of adoption. Data obtained revealed that the adopters of butternut squash were mostly the male married farmers. Results further showed that household size, land tenure, access to credit, membership to a group, market information and access to extension services significantly and positively affected the likelihood of adopting butternut squash; while age, participation in off-farm activities and distance to the market were significant with negative effect. Education, access to market information, man hours and years of experience were significantly related to adoption of the crop with positive effects, while land size was statistically significant with a negative effect. This study therefore, recommends that government and other stakeholders should formulate and implement policies related to promotion of adoption and production of butternut squash.Item Determinants of sorghum productivity among small-scale farmers in Siaya County(Academic Journals, 2020-05) Okeyo, Samuel O.; Ndirangu, Samuel N.; Isaboke, Hezron N.; Njeru, Lucy K.The productivity of sorghum in Kenya is on decline despite sorghum being one of the suitable crops for the arid and semi-arid areas commonly found in Kenya. The study therefore aimed at establishing the effect of the selected socio-economic factors on sorghum productivity using a case of small-scale farmers in Siaya County. The four sub-counties considered for this study were selected on the basis of sorghum production. Stratified and random sampling techniques were applied to identify a sample comprising of 300 smallholder households in the study area. Data was collected using semi-structured interview schedules administered to the selected farm households. The characteristics of the smallholder farmers sampled were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Ordinary Least Square multiple regression model. The results showed that farm size under sorghum, labour, farm gate price, serena and seredo seed varieties were significant determinants of sorghum productivity in the study area. Based on these findings, the study recommends provision of improved seed varieties to the farmers. Policies targeted at promoting industrial use of sorghum will increase sorghum demand and promote its uptake. In addition, agricultural development policies should target provision of such services like training and extension support to enhance sorghum production in Kenya.Item Economics of Planting Pits under Sorghum and Pigeon Pea in Semi-Arid Areas of Eastern Kenya.(2020-01) Yegon, Rebecca; Isaboke, Hezron N.; Mrema, Geoffrey Christoper; Mtakwa, PeterRainwater harvesting (RWH) is promoted in arid and semi-arid areas for increased yields. Planting pits are RWH systems that are used for collecting rainwater and runoff. Recently, there has been increased interest in economic and environmental benefits of agricultural technologies for sustainable development. To contribute to this knowledge, economics of Chololo and Five by Nine planting pits and sorghum and pigeon pea mulch was investigated at two sites in semi-arid Eastern Kenya for four seasons. The experiments were in a randomized complete block design in three replicates. Returns of planting pits and mulch were calculated by evaluating the benefit-cost (B: C) ratios and net present values (NPV) while considering water as an economic good. Planting pits were profitable for sorghum and unprofitable for pigeon pea production. The outcome differed with sites and seasons depending on rainfall availability. Chololo pits earned US$ 92 to US$ 786 per hectare whereas Five by Nine pits earned US $ 59 to US$ 955 per hectare. Mulches were beneficial for sorghum and pigeon pea production at Nkarini and unprofitable at Machang’a with the yield differing with seasons depending on rainfall availability. This study recommends Five by Nine and Chololo pits for sorghum production at Nkarini where it was economically viable in three out of four seasons.Item The Effect of Butternut Squash (Cucurbita moschata) on the Incomes of the Small-Holders in Suba District, Kenya(2012) Isaboke, Hezron N.; Mshenga, Patience; Saidi, M.Butternut squash is an emerging economic crop in Kenya with ready market and high nutritional value. It was introduced to promote food security and enhance the incomes of the small-holder farmers in Suba district. However it is not clear whether butternut could address the problem of low income among small-holder farmers. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of butternut squash on the incomes of the small-holders. The choice of the study area was due to persistence of poverty problem and existence of butternut squash in Suba District. Cross-sectional data was collected from a sample of 120 farmers who obtained using multi-stage sampling. The small-holder farmers were characterized using descriptive statistics. Gross Margin analysis was used to determine the contribution of butternut squash to total crop income. Gross margin analysis results revealed that butternut squash was a profitable enterprise similar to the other horticultural crops. Results showed that on average butternut squash contributes 38.55% with a standard deviation of 12.2% towards the total crop gross margin/ha. This study therefore, recommends that government and other stakeholders should formulate and implement effective policies related to promotion of butternut squash farming and marketing.Item Technical efficiency in tomato production among smallholder farmers in Kirinyaga County, Kenya(Academic Journals, 2020-05) Mwangi, Thomas Mbogo; Ndirangu, Samuel N.; Isaboke, Hezron N.The study was conducted to assess tomato productivity and determine characteristics that influence technical efficiency among smallholder farmers in Kirinyaga County using the production function approach. Data were collected by administering structured questionnaires to a sample of 384 respondents randomly selected from six wards using multistage stratified and probability proportionate to size sampling procedures. The study adopted cross-sectional survey design and primary data on tomato yield, production system, input usage and farmer demographics were collected. The stochastic Cobb Douglas production function was used to estimate the frontier production and efficiency levels using maximum likelihood. Tobit multiple regression was used to determine farm and farmer characteristics that impact technical efficiency. Results showed that respondents were inefficient with an average technical efficiency of 39.55% with greenhouse more efficient than open field system. Household size, production systems, seed type, fertilizer, extension and market information significantly and positively influenced technical efficiency, while land size was significant and inversely influenced technical efficiency. Results revealed a possibility to increase technical efficiency in tomato production using certified seeds and recommended fertilizer levels. In addition, policy interventions aimed at subsidizing costs of establishing greenhouses would serve as an incentive to motivate farmers to use technologies in tomato production.