DSpace Repository :: Browsing by Author "Njeru, Lucy K."

Browsing by Author "Njeru, Lucy K."

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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.
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.
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.
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.
Effect of on-farm testing on adoption of banana production technologies among smallholder farmers in Meru region, Kenya
(Emerald, 2021-08) Kirimi, Florence Kaumi; Onyari, Charles N.; Njeru, Lucy K.; Mogaka, Hezron N.
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of on-farm testing on the adoption of banana production technologies among smallholder farmers in the Meru region, Kenya. Design/methodology/approach – The study adopted a pragmatic paradigm and a cross-sectional survey design, sampling 370 and 30 farmers proportionately from 269,499 to 19,303 smallholder banana farmers in Meru and Tharaka-Nithi Counties of Kenya, respectively. Findings – The study revealed that there was an association between belonging to a banana farming testing group and the adoption of banana technology. The study also revealed that most farmers were not interested in adopting banana technologies as they preferred the use of conventional methods, due to unstable market prices, lack of subsidized banana production input, inaccessibility to technological materials, few extension experts and lack of enough demonstrations. Research limitations/implications – Some respondents were not willing to freely offer the information required for this study. This was delimited by assuring the informants of the confidentiality of their responses. Originality/value – The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper. The agricultural extension service providers will have more light on the underlying issues that need to be considered if meaningful interventions are to be done on various aspects of the banana value chain.
Extension training for banana value addition among smallholder farmers in Meru and Tharaka-Nithi counties, Kenya
(Academic Journals, 2021-04) Kirimi, Florence K.; Nyambane, Charles O.; Njeru, Lucy K.; Mogaka, Hezron R.
Extension training is intended to increase the efficiency and performance of the human resource that acts responsibly in a society based on a communication interaction with knowledge sources. The main objective of this study was to assess the effect of training farmers on banana value addition among smallholder farmers in Meru and Tharaka-Nithi counties. The study adopted a pragmatic paradigm and a cross-sectional survey design and sampled 370 and 30 farmers proportionately obtained from 269,499 and 19,303 smallholder banana farmers in Meru and Tharaka-Nithi counties, respectively. Structured and semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect primary data from the respondents. Secondary data were obtained from official extension and production records in the two counties as well as related literature. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics to determine frequencies, percentages and means. Regression analysis was conducted to examine relationships between the study variables. The results revealed that there was an association between training farmers on the various method of banana value addition and adoption of selected banana value addition technologies was statistically significant at 1% level of significance (p-value = 0.000<0.01,  =156.391, df 1). The study concludes that farmers having a preferred facilitator in training positively influenced the adoption of banana value addition technologies. The study recommends the government should create and implement policies such as collaborating with high learning institution like universities and set days where they will be training farmers on various methods of banana value addition.
Extension-Market Linkages on Banana Commercialisation Among Smallholder Farmers in Meru Region, Kenya
(2022-01) Kirimi, Florence K.; Onyari, Charles N.; Njeru, Lucy K.; Mogaka, Hezron R.
The study examined the effect of extension-market linkages on banana commercialisation among smallholder farmers in the Meru region, Kenya. The study sampled 400 farmers from a target population of 288,802 from the Meru region. The Tobit model was used to analyse the effect of extension-market linkages on banana commercialisation. The results revealed that sources of marketing information (Coef. -0.06) had a negative influence on farmers commercialising banana production. The result showed that the reliability of local extension service providers in enabling farmer’s access to market information (Coef. 0.04) had a positive influence on farmers commercialising banana production. The findings also showed that users of marketing information in the commercialisation banana business (Coef. 0.63) had a positive influence on farmers commercialising banana production. The study concludes that there was an association between extension marketing linkages and banana commercialization among smallholder farmers in Meru region, Kenya. Government should create and implement more policies that will favour and encourage farmers to commercialise bananas. This will help farmers increase their income.
Influence of Access to Land and Finances on Kenyan Youth Participation in Agriculture: A Review
(European Centre for Research Training and Development UK, 2014-09) Njeru, Lucy K.; Gichimu, Bernard M.
The Kenya Government prioritized the development of the agricultural sector to achieving the first Millennium Development Goal (MDG) of sustainable food production. Kenya’s strategic plan, Vision 2030 positions agriculture as a key driver for delivering a 10% annual economic growth and is expected to have an average growth rate of 7% by 2015. Agriculture contributes over 80% of all employment opportunities in the country, but Kenyan youths are not taking advantage of these opportunities since 64% of them are unemployed. To advance the 7% average growth rate, it is pertinent that the Kenyan youth be fully involved in agricultural development. However, agriculture is perceived unattractive to the youth and its potential has not been fully realized. The purpose of this review is to find out the influence of land and finances on youth participation in agriculture and to identify the interventions that can make agriculture attractive to the youth in Kenya. This information will be useful to the government, the farming community, agriculturalists, policy makers and non-governmental organisations in laying strategies that will make agriculture attractive to the youth. This will subsequently enhance youth participation in agriculture resulting in increased food production, employment creation and income generation for the youth. Engaging the youth in agricultural activities will contribute in reducing crime and other social problems attributed to the youth.
Influence of access to land and finances on Kenyan youth participation in agriculture: a review
(European Centre for Research Training and Development UK, 2014-09) Gichimu, Bernard M.; Njeru, Lucy K.
The Kenya Government prioritized the development of the agricultural sector to achieving the first Millennium Development Goal (MDG) of sustainable food production. Kenya’s strategic plan, Vision 2030 positions agriculture as a key driver for delivering a 10% annual economic growth and is expected to have an average growth rate of 7% by 2015. Agriculture contributes over 80% of all employment opportunities in the country, but Kenyan youths are not taking advantage of these opportunities since 64% of them are unemployed. To advance the 7% average growth rate, it is pertinent that the Kenyan youth be fully involved in agricultural development. However, agriculture is perceived unattractive to the youth and its potential has not been fully realized. The purpose of this review is to find out the influence of land and finances on youth participation in agriculture and to identify the interventions that can make agriculture attractive to the youth in Kenya. This information will be useful to the government, the farming community, agriculturalists, policy makers and non-governmental organisations in laying strategies that will make agriculture attractive to the youth. This will subsequently enhance youth participation in agriculture resulting in increased food production, employment creation and income generation for the youth. Engaging the youth in agricultural activities will contribute in reducing crime and other social problems attributed to the youth.
Influence of Kenyan Youth’s Perception towards Agriculture and Necessary Interventions; a Review
(Science Domain, 2015) Njeru, Lucy K.; Gichimu, Bernard M.
Approximately 64% of unemployed persons in Kenya are youth, most of which live in rural areas and lacks formal education and vocational or professional skills. In spite of this, youth participation in agriculture has been relatively low in the country. This may be partly attributed to, among other factors, thepoor perception of the youth on agriculture. Agriculture which is basically a ruraloriented sector remains the backbone of the Kenya’s economy contributing over 30% of GDP. The sector provides over 80% of employment opportunities in the country but remains unattractive to the youth. This implies that most of the Kenyan youth are not fully engaged in productive economic activities which put their dependency index quite high. If the perception of youth towards agriculture is not changed, they will remain a big burden to the society and to their families in particular. There are various activities along the agriculture value chain which the youths can engage in to ensure their self-reliance and create employment thus reducing youth-related social problems and improving national economic growth and self-sufficiency. The paper seeks to analyze and discuss the influence of Kenyan youth’s perception towards agriculture and required interventions. This information will be useful in developing policies that will make agriculture attractive to the youth.
Influence of Khat (Miraa) on Primary School Dropout Among Boys in Meru County, Kenya
(David Publishing, 2013-08) Njeru, Lucy K.; Mwangi, John Gowland
Despite introduction of Kenya’s Free Primary Education in2003 to achieve Universal Primary Education (MDG2), primary school boys’ enrolment in Kangetais declining while dropout rates are increasing. This study investigated the influence of Khat (Catha edulis) on the boys’ dropout rates. A cross-sectional design was used to collect data from 210 randomly selected dropouts and 10 primary school head teachers. Content validity of the teachers’ questionnaire and boys’ interview guide was ascertained by education experts, while reliability coefficients determined through a pilot test was 0.83αand 0.72αrespectively. Peer pressure, Khat chewing, and easy money from Khat trade forced boys to leave school. Khat was highly regarded, socially accepted, and promoted the local people’s economy and culture but was partly responsible for the boys’ dropout. About 62% of the dropouts regretted leaving school and would re-enroll if given a chance. About 89% ofthe money from Khat was spent on food rather than investment. Parents and education stakeholders should help pupils complete education by discouraging them from engaging in Khat. Those involved in Khat should be encouraged to invest part of their income.
Influence of Khat (Miraa) on Primary School Dropout Among Boys in Meru County, Kenya
(David Publishing, 2003-08) Njeru, Lucy K.; Mwangi, John G.
Despite introduction of Kenya’s Free Primary Education in 2003 to achieve Universal Primary Education (MDG2), primary school boys’ enrolment in Kangeta is declining while dropout rates are increasing. This study investigated the influence of Khat (Catha edulis) on the boys’ dropout rates. A cross-sectional design was used to collect data from 210 randomly selected dropouts and 10 primary school head teachers. Content validity of the teachers’ questionnaire and boys’ interview guide was ascertained by education experts, while reliability coefficients determined through a pilot test was 0.83α and 0.72α respectively. Peer pressure, Khat chewing, and easy money from Khat trade forced boys to leave school. Khat was highly regarded, socially accepted, and promoted the local people’s economy and culture but was partly responsible for the boys’ dropout. About 62% of the dropouts regretted leaving school and would re-enroll if given a chance. About 89% of the money from Khat was spent on food rather than investment. Parents and education stakeholders should help pupils complete education by discouraging them from engaging in Khat. Those involved in Khat should be encouraged to invest part of their income.
Influence of Khat (Miraa) Production, Trade and Consumption On Primary School Dropout among the Boys in Kangeta Division, Igembe South District, Kenya
(Egerton University, 2013-02) Njeru, Lucy K.
Education for all is a global development need. Achievement of universal primary education is addressed by the second United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDG). In a bid to achieve this goal, Kenya government initiated Free Primary Education (FPE) in January 2003. However, despite this effort, there has been educational wastage through declined enrolments and increased dropout rates, which are common phenomena in Kangeta Division, Igembe South District. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of khat production, trade and consumption on primary school dropout among boys in the Division. The study focused on boys aged 6-16 years and was guided by 3 research questions. These were. does providing the required labour for khat production cause the primary school boys to drop out of school?; how does khat consumption by primary school boys influence boys’ school dropout?; to what extent does khat trade by primary school boys influence their school dropout?. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey design. A sample size of 210 dropouts was used based on Balians’ recommendation of having an average sample of 200 respondents adjusted by 10-15 % to cater for attrition. All the head teachers of the selected 10 schools were included in the sample to give a total of 220 respondents. Questionnaire and interview guide whose reliability coefficients were alpha 0.83 and 0.72 respectively were used for data collection. Validity of the instrument was ascertained by a panel of five experts from the department of Agricultural Education. Data was analyzed by a t-test and a chi-square test using the SPSS software package. Frequency tables and percentages summarized the results. The study findings indicated that the drop out of school among the primary school boys in the Division is as a result of providing cheap labour in miraa production. The findings revealed the effects of khat chewing to the behaviour of the user and it is this behaviour that causes the boys to drop out of school. The findings further indicated that the easy money these boys earn after engaging in khat business influence them to drop out of school. These findings of the study would be useful to the entire community, educationists and policy makers in finding ways of reducing the school dropout for the boys in Kangeta Division.
Influence of Youth Access to Farm Products Markets on Their Participation in Agriculture in Kajiado North Sub-County
(European Centre for Research Training and Development UK, 2015-10) Njeru, Lucy K.; Mwangi, John Gowland
Agriculture in Kenya has great untapped potential for providing employment opportunities for youth that would enable them exploit their creativity, economic innovation and access to agricultural product markets in order to spur faster national economic growth. Reducing cereal importation in Kenya through local investment and expanding of markets for agricultural products can effectively create youth employment. A number of youth took part in agriculture in Kajiado North Sub- County with maize being the most preferred crop while poultry keeping the most preferred livestock activity by youth The influence of youth access to markets for agricultural products on their participation in agriculture in Kajiado North SubCounty was poorly understood and hence the need for this study, which used a cross-sectional design to collect data from 397 randomly, selected youth and 22 youth and agricultural officers. Content validity of the youth and agricultural officers’ questionnaires was ascertained by extension experts while reliability was determined through a pilot test involving 30 respondents. The reliability coefficient were 0.86α and 0.80α respectively, which were above the 0.70 threshold for acceptable reliability. The results showed a statistically significant positive relationship (r=.330, p=.01) between youth access to markets and their participation in agriculture. It also showed that youth access to markets influenced their participation in agriculture with 57.4% of the respondents indicating that poor infrastructures and limited knowledge on market prices reduced their access to markets for agricultural commodities. Youth with easy access to markets for their products had higher participation rates in agricultural activities than those with minimal access to markets. The government and other actors should support formation of organizations that can give youth the necessary bargaining power to interact on equal terms with other market actors in order to reduce transaction costs through economies of scale when buying inputs and selling produce.

Browsing by Author "Njeru, Lucy K."

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