Faculty of Agriculture
http://41.89.96.81:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/652
2024-03-29T07:22:05ZEffect of enterpreneurial behaviour on farm perfomance among small-scale commercial-oriented farmers; case of Niono zone Mali
http://41.89.96.81:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/3334
Effect of enterpreneurial behaviour on farm perfomance among small-scale commercial-oriented farmers; case of Niono zone Mali
Mahamadou, Soumaila Konte
The Agricultural Orientation Law (AOL) of 2006 gave Malian small-scale farmers incentives for commercial-orientation. However, they have not been fully embraced by farmers, and this may be due to their entrepreneurial behaviour (EB). Few studies have been conducted on farmers’ EB in Mali. This study aimed towards fulfilling this knowledge gap. The general objective was to contribute towards improved livelihood through enhanced EB and farm performance among small-scale farmers in Niono zone, Mali. Specifically, the study aimed to determine: the level of EB of small-scale farmers, and the effect of their EB on both the uptake of AOL’s business incentives and farm performance. Multistage sampling technique was used to select 236 farmers. Data was collected using semi-structured questionnaire. The Confirmatory Factor Analysis revealed relevancy of the selected EB while Cronbach’s alpha of 0.82 was qualified acceptable. Descriptive statistics were used to determine farmers’ EB while multivariate Probit and multivariate Tobit models were used to analyse the effect of farmers’ EB on uptake of incentives and farm performance, respectively. Both models indicated good fitness to the data at 5% and 10% significance level respectively. The initiation, innovativeness risk-taking and self-efficiency of the respondents are ranged at second highest level. The previous-failure and proactiveness were scaled at second lowest level. The highest uptakes of incentives were fertilisers (84%) and credit (35%) while the lowest uptakes were funds (16%) and equipment (14%). The uptake was negatively influenced by the distance to extension services providers, household size and the proactiveness, initiation and previous failure. For farm perfonnance, the indicators, sales, profitability and post-harvest losses (PHLs), were affected differently. Both sales and profitability were found to be affected by land size, farm asset values and access to a model farm. The PHLs increased with household size and average fann size in famiers’ network, but decreased with household head’s years of schooling, nature of business, average time of walking between network members, amount of credit in the counter-season and EB of initiation and innovativeness. To promote commercial-orientation, the study recommended that the government should develop farmers’ EB, adapt equipment subsidy and agricultural funds to farmers’ socio-economic realities. It should also smoothen the administrative procedures and consider positive factors that appeal and facilitate the emergence and achievement of EB. Further, consideration should be more inclined to farmer-to-farmer approaches since the network is important in terms of motivation, sensitization and sharing of knowledge and experiences.
2018-06-01T00:00:00ZRelationship between selected factors and use of information and communication technology tools among cassava smallholder farmers in Rangwe Sub-County, Kenya
http://41.89.96.81:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/3280
Relationship between selected factors and use of information and communication technology tools among cassava smallholder farmers in Rangwe Sub-County, Kenya
Dimo, Caleb, John
The use of mobile phones, televisions, computers, and radios in agricultural extension enhances the efficient sharing of agricultural information and improves the link among farmers, researchers, and agricultural extension officers in Kenya. Nevertheless, the use of these Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools to access production inputs, management practices, post-harvest practices, and marketing was underutilized among smallholder farmers (SHFs). The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between selected factors (socio-economic status, access to credit, and training) and the use of ICT tools among cassava smallholder farmers in Rangwe Sub-County, Kenya. The study adopted a correlation research design and targeted 3808 SHFs growing cassava in Rangwe Sub-County, Kenya. The accessible population was 3025 members of cassava farming groups in the Sub-County. Simple random sampling techniques were used to select a total sample size of 106 SHFs from four wards of the Sub-County. Pretested semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Validity was determined by the experts in the departments. Reliability of 0.756 α Cronbach alpha was attained through a pilot test with 30 SHFs in Homa-Bay Town Sub-County. Descriptive data analysis was done using frequency, percentage, and cross-tabulation while hypotheses were tested at a 0.05 level of significance using linear regression with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) Version 25. The majority of the SHFs were female, middle age (36-50 years), attained primary education and earned the lowest average annual income (X ≤ KES160, 000). Selected socio-economic factors had very high correlation with ICT adoption (R=0.912, P=0.004, R2=0.832, Adj. R2= 0.825) while Access to training and access to credit had a moderate correlation with the adoption (R = +.778, P = .004, R2 =0.602) and (R = +.654, P = .003, R2 =0.427, adj. R2=0.422) respectively. The three null hypotheses were rejected. In conclusion, a unit change in the selected factors results in a significant change in ICT adoption. The study recommends the empowerment of women, adults, and those with low education. Credit subsidies and training should also be enhanced.
2022-11-01T00:00:00ZInfluence of plant health clinic services on potato (solanum tuberosum) production among smallholder farmers in Molo Sub-County, Kenya
http://41.89.96.81:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/3277
Influence of plant health clinic services on potato (solanum tuberosum) production among smallholder farmers in Molo Sub-County, Kenya
Chepkoech, Beatrice
Potato is one of the most important valued food and cash crop in Kenya. However, health issues
which includes plant disease, pests, weed, and soil health continue to pose a major threat to potato
production resulting in low yields and returns among farmers particularly the smallholder in Molo
Sub-County. Plant health Clinics use innovative approach like human clinic to offer significant
services to farmers in terms of crop protection advice, training, and diagnosis in the country, but
research pertaining to the influence of these services on potato production in Molo Sub-County
had not been studied. The purpose of this study was therefore to determine the influence of plant
health clinic services on potato production among smallholder farmers in Molo Sub-County,
Kenya. The study used cross-sectional survey design. The accessible population consisted of 6,000
smallholder potato farmers, and a total sample of 152 respondents were selected using
proportionate and simple random sampling approach. Key informants were selected purposively
via a process of theoretical sampling. Data was collected using a questionnaire and an interview
guide. The questionnaire was administered to smallholder potato farmers and ten respondents for
key informant interviews. A pilot study was carried out using 30 farmers in Nessuit ward of Njoro
Sub-County. The reliability of the questionnaire was determined using Cronbach's alpha
coefficient and it yielded a coefficient 0.726α, which was accepted. Data analysis was done using
SPSS version 22 to run descriptive and inferential statistics. Multiple regression analysis was used
to establish the influence of plant health clinic services on potato production among smallholder
farmers in Molo Sub-County at a significance level of 0.05. It was found that plant health clinic
advisory services, training services and diagnostic services had a statistically significant influence
on potato production. The results showed that 61.8% (R 2 = 0.618), 78.1% (R2 = 0.781) and 59%
(R2 = 0.590) of variation in the potato production were explained by advisory services, training
services and diagnostic services respectively. The study concluded that plant health clinic advisory
services, training services and diagnostic services have an influence on potato production among
smallholder potato farmers in Molo Sub-County, Kenya. The study recommends that the County
and National government enhance and strengthen the provision of plant health clinic services to
potato farmers in the area. The smallholder potato farmers also need empowerment in terms of
general education, capacity building and sensitization on use of plant health clinic services to
improve potato production.
2022-09-01T00:00:00ZEffectiveness of selected mass extension methods on access to agricultural technologies among smallholder farmers in Laikipia West Sub County, Kenya
http://41.89.96.81:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/3274
Effectiveness of selected mass extension methods on access to agricultural technologies among smallholder farmers in Laikipia West Sub County, Kenya
Kioko, Emily, Ndanu
Agricultural extension services play an important role in boosting agricultural productivity worldwide. Mass extension service delivery methods have been used to inform farmers about agricultural technologies by the government both at National and County level. Despite the investment in selected Mass extension methods, access to agricultural technologies by farmers remains limited. The purpose of this study was to establish the effectiveness of selected mass extension -methods which included Agricultural Exhibition, Road Extension Campaign and FM Radio on smallholder farmers’ access to agricultural technologies. The study was carried out in Laikipia West Sub County. The study employed descriptive survey research design. The target population constituted all the 35,220 households in Laikipia West and an accessible population of 32,400 smallholder households who own farm size of 0.4- 2.5 hectares. Multistage sampling procedure was used to obtain a sample size of 128 respondents comprising of 120 smallholder households and eight senior representatives of the eight major groups of agricultural stakeholders. The study used questionnaire for both the smallholder farmers and the agricultural stakeholders. The validity of the instruments was enhanced by seeking expert guidance of lecturers from the Department of Agricultural Education and Extension of Egerton University. The reliability of the instrument was estimated after pilot testing. Reliability coefficient of 0.74 was obtained. Data was analyzed with the help of Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) version 24. Among Agricultural Exhibitions, Road Extension Campaigns and FM Radio, Mass extension methods, FM Radio was the most preferred effective method by smallholder farmers. The study concluded that FM Radio extension method was the most effective in promoting access to agricultural technologies among smallholder farmers in Laikipia West Sub County. The researcher recommended that County governments in collaboration with agricultural stakeholders develop policies to support FM Radio Mass extension method and to improve the exhibition and road extension methods so as to have diverse methods of extension service delivery.
2023-09-01T00:00:00Z