Indigenous chickens are important in Kenya for food security, income generation, employment and improved livelihoods. However, despite these benefits producers are constrained from participating in the high value markets. A purposive multi-stage sampling was used to sample 130 households from Makueni County. The data were collected using a structured questionnaire, key informant interviews and focus group discussions. These data were then analysed using descriptive statistics and a probit econometric model. The decision to participate in the indigenous chicken high value market was influenced by the education level of the household head, processing, the age of the household head, group membership, the flock size and region. Therefore, it is recommended to form farmer groups for increased productivity, collective marketing and enhanced value addition.
This paper discusses the economic potential in terms of income changes that may result from conversion to low-external-input agriculture (LEIA) organic farming in a Kenya's catchment area. A spreadsheet model applying the gross margin and net present value analysis was developed to estimate economic returns to labour and land of alternative smallholder cropping systems in the East Mau Catchment. The income and costs over a 10-year horizon associated with current cropping practices of a typical farm household cultivating 1.12 hectares of maize-bean intercrop, Irish potato, carrots, tomatoes, cabbages and kales mix were characterized based on field work conducted in 2008-2010. An ''average'' smallholder LEIA organic farm was simulated based on the conventional one, and its income discounted. A comparison was then made of the two farm types. Results indicate annual net present value returns to cropped land average Ksh 21,878/ha ($ 267/ha) and Kshs 22,561/ha (€ 275/ha) in 2010 values for conventional and prototype LEIA organic farming systems, respectively. Net returns are particularly sensitive to crop yields and price and cost of fertilizers and seeds. Further efforts should be made to provide an economic analysis of other LEIA organic farming practices such as composting, double digging and agroforestry in terms of additional labour costs resultant. The model can be extended to build more scenarios on the role of price premiums. Additionally, further research should be done to exploit the socio-demographic factors affecting the adoption of low-external-input systems.
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