Sorghum plot managers in different locations have varying levels of resource endowment that in turn influence technical efficiency (TE). Therefore, plot managers operate at different levels of technology. The present study applied a stochastic metafrontier approach to assess TE and technology gaps of female, male and jointly-managed sorghum plots. A two limit-Tobit model was subsequently applied to assess determinants of TE. Results indicate that male-managed sorghum plots had the highest metafrontier technical efficiencies (MTEs) (61%, 56% and 15%) and technology gap ratios (TGRs) (98%, 92% and 20%) for Lira, Serere and Kumi districts, respectively compared to female and jointly managed plots. However, jointly managed plots had higher TE and TGRs compared to female plot managers but lower than those of the male-managed plots. Age, distance to plot and farmer group membership influenced TE positively while household size, years of farming sorghum and access to credit had negative effects on efficiency.
Agricultural extension and technology transfer services play a vital role in disseminating research knowledge, skills and income generating strategies among the farming communities in Kenya. However, there exists a kind of disconnect between the amount of information and technologies developed in research centres and what is implemented by the farmers. The study evaluated the access and use of extension approaches in promoting uptake of improved sorghum technologies. The study systematically selected 129 farmers from four villages. Data on farmers' gender, age, household leadership, occupation and agricultural extension approaches were collected. The study revealed that 83% of the respondents were female out of which, 67% were engaged in improved sorghum production technologies. Besides, 56% young women (20 to 49 years) had embraced the growing of improved sorghum varieties Gadam and Sila 1. Further, mobile phones and radio services were the main means of access to the improved sorghum technologies. In addition, there was a strong positive correlation (r=0.122, P=0.01) between extension approaches and uptake of the sorghum technologies. Besides government agricultural extension agents, visits to progressive farmers and/or research sites and use of demonstration plots contributed to 68% and influenced uptake of improved sorghum technologies. It was concluded that gender, family position and age of the farmer contribute to the uptake of improved sorghum technologies. Moreover, mobile phones and radio technologies play an important role in access of sorghum technologies.
The agricultural extension agents play important role in facilitating and guiding farmers towards implementing various agricultural value chain technologies. However, despite the availability of extension agents and improved agricultural technologies, there is minimal corresponding uptake and output on the farmers' farms. The current study therefore assessed the influence of extension agents on the uptake of improved sorghum technologies in Embu County, Kenya. The study sampled 51 government and private extension agents from four villages. Data was collected on the agent's socioeconomic characteristics and extension, techniques. The study revealed that 65% of the respondents were male and had acquired education up to tertiary level. Further, the agents had acquired over twelve years work experience in disseminating various agricultural technologies. The study findings indicated that majority 73% of the agents disseminated technologies through farm visits, demonstrations, and agricultural shows visits and through radio technologies. There was an association (x 2 =96.7) between the extension agents and agents work experience with the work experience enhancing the uptake of improved sorghum technologies by farmers. Further, the work experience significantly (p≤0.00) influenced disseminating of the improved sorghum technologies among farmers. It was concluded that agents' gender, work experience, demonstrations techniques and farm visits, agricultural shows method complemented agents' work in disseminating the improved sorghum technologies among farmers.
Tea production, processing and marketing in Kenya is under management of two sectors. The two sectors include; Kenya Tea Development Agency which manages approximately six hundred thousand small scale farmers and multi-nationals sector for example Uniliver/Lipton teas, James Finlay's and George Williamson holdings manage privately plantations and estates of tea. The volume and frequency of plucking tea leaves enhances net revenue for small scale tea farmers in Kenya. The main objective was to determine the role of Farmer Field Schools extension approach and eventual outcome tea production among small scale farmers in Kenya. The study assessed the trends and the influence of Farmer Field Schools (FFS) approach in addressing productivity of tea leaves. The study employed descriptive statistics and mean trends analysis to determine the influence of FFS in tea production. The study sites were six sub locations of tea growing areas. The sites were purposively since they were pilot areas where the initial farmer field schools were collaboratively initiated by Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) and Uniliver/Lipton teas for enhancement of tea production. The study gathered primary data from sampled tea farmers by use of structured questionnaires. Secondary data was sourced from the KTDA archives records. Research findings revealed a positive trend in green tea leaf production and as well as revenue. Further, it was revealed that social positive effects such as farmers willingness to participate in group activities and sustainable tea husbandry, promotion of self-mobilization and interactive participation enhanced tea production. The positive economic-agricultural productivity effects were; the transfer and adoption of agricultural technologies particularly in tea growing that enhanced revenue, increased access to knowledge and agricultural information.
Background: Land degradation is a major challenge facing the world today, with devastating effects particularly among communities inhabiting semi-arid rangelands who are more directly dependent on natural resources. Over the years, indigenous grasses have provided multiple economic, ecosystem and cultural benefits for many communities in Kenya. However, they have increasingly experienced declining abundance, diversity and productivity over the years, compromising their benefits. This study was conducted to assess use value and local knowledge of indigenous grasses among pastoral communities in Isiolo and Samburu Counties in northern Kenya.Methods: Ethnobotanical data were computed and ranked based on four use indices: relative frequency of citation, relative importance index, cultural value index and cultural importance index. Four key use-categories of the grasses were identified including livestock forage, erosion control, thatching and making hay for sale.Results: Top ranked grasses across these use-categories included Pennisetum mezianum, Chrysopogon plumulosus, Heteropogon contortus and Sporobolus helvolus. These are perennial grasses with multiple uses and are available in wet and dry sessions and in drought periods. While trend analysis revealed overall declining availability of indigenous grasses over recent decades, it strongly came out that the four above-mentioned most preferred species had highest declining availability as perceived by local communities.Conclusions: These findings indicate need for enhanced actions for conserving indigenous grasses considering their multiple benefits and declining availability. Practical local knowledge, traditional structures and their pasture management models are great opportunities for creating responsive actions for rehabilitating degraded critical grazing areas while conserving key indigenous grasses.
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