http://41.89.164.27:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/190 2026-04-08T08:39:09Z http://41.89.164.27:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/2528 THE EVALUATION OF IRISH POTATO PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES AMONG FARMERS OF MARAKWET WEST, ELGEYO MARAKWET COUNTY, KENYA Cheruiyot, Joyce Potato (Solanum tuberosum L) is a major food and cash crop in the Kenyan highlands like Elgeyo Marakwet county. It is widely grown by smallholder farmers and it contribute to food security, rural employment, and household income. Despite the crop potential, productivity remains low due to limited access to improved technologies, poor seed quality, pests and diseases and inadequate market linkages. A survey was conducted in Moiben/ Kuserwo, Cherang’any/ Chebororwa, Lelan and Kapsowar ward in Marakwet West SubCounty. The study evaluates potato production technologies among farmers in Marakwet West Sub-County, Elgeyo Marakwet County, Kenya. The specific objectives were to:(i) describe socioeconomic characteristics of potato farmers, (ii) identify potato production practices and technologies used, (iii) assess the perception of farmers on suitability of potato varieties adopted and, (iv) assess the extent to which potato production technologies affect yield. The study employed a descriptive research design using structured questionnaires, interview schedules, and field observations. Data was collected from a sample of 173 selected potato farmers and analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The results showed that 62% of the farmers were male, aged 41-50 years, had potato growing experience of less than 5 years, attained secondary level of education, were members of Cooperative society and operating on land size of below 5 acres. Besides, most farmers were not trained in potato production technologies, but were implementing the technologies. Moreover, the household head determined the decision on to the application of the technology. While improved technologies such as certified seed use, fertilizer, and pest and disease management among others were known, adoption remained partial due to high input costs, and weak extension support. It was also established that, farmers were not using the certified seed but instead they majorly sourced seeds from other farms. This is because the seeds were either not available to them, expensive, or lacked information about them. From this study, it was also concluded that, Shangi potato variety was grown by majority of the farmers in the region because of its first maturity rate, it is of high yield, and good market demand. Tigoni, Asante and Kerr’s Pink were potato varieties grown by very small group of farmers (5%). In the regression model, it is shown that the model is significant at 5% level. This indicates that the independent variables predict the dependent variable. The R Square is 0.312, meaning that 31.2% of the variance in the yield of potato is explained by education, gender, visit by extension, technology implementation and others. From the study only few variables were run hence the low R square. The study recommends enhancing extension services, improving access to affordable inputs and, promoting farmer preferred sustainable technologies. These measures would increase productivity, strengthen household incomes and contribute to food security. 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z http://41.89.164.27:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/1229 ANALYSIS OF WILLINGNESS TO PAY FOR ALTERNATIVE LOCAL READY-TO-USE THERAPEUTIC FOOD FOR MALNUTRITION MANAGEMENT IN WESTERN KENYA BARASA, AUGUSTINE WAFULA Malnutrition still remains to be a major hurdle in Western Kenya with mortality rates of children under the age of 5 standing at 64 deaths per 1000 live births; higher than the national average of 52 deaths per 1000 live births. Ready‐to‐use therapeutic foods (RUTFs) have been proven to be one successful intervention for management of malnutrition. These are macronutrient and energy dense foods that have been fortified with minerals and vitamins. They also do not require any preparation before use, are easy to store and can easily be preserved from bacterial contamination. Despite their enormous benefits, most communities in Western Kenya have been unable to access the RUTFs. Currently, they are no indigenously local made RUTF that meet the required criteria in Kenya despite its potential. Research has shown that there is potential for the production of a local RUTFs bearing in mind that most of the ingredients are grown locally in Western Kenya. However, little is known about the consumer acceptability of a local Ready-to-use foods and the monetary value attached to it in Western Kenya. This prompted this study which aimed at establishing the willingness to pay of consumers for an alternative local Ready-to-use therapeutic foods and the price they would attach to the product. The utility maximization framework guided this study. It postulates that consumers make decisions on what to purchase with the goal of maximizing their expected utility. The study employed a household survey on 383 respondents residing in Bungoma and Busia County who use the current RUTFs. Questionnaire were used in collecting primary data on factors, challenges and willingness to pay for alternative local RUTFs. It covered respondents. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the respondents’ socio economic status and willingness to pay. The effect of socio-economic status, RUTFs consumption frequency and Household dietary diversity score on the consumer willingness to pay and price was assessed using Cragg’s double hurdle model. The willingness to pay for a local alternative RUTFs was high at 252 out of 400 respondents accounting for 63 percent. Among the challenges experienced in accessing the existing RUTFs were high transportation costs (33.3 percent), Shortages in stock (29.6 percent), Stigmatization (22.2 percent), harassment from harsh hospital staff (6.4 percent), frequent illness (6.2 percent) and long queues in the RUTFs dissemination centres (1.2 percent). Gender, Monthly income, HDDS, Size of Household and Marital Status were found to positively influence the WTP while frequency of consumption of RUTFs negatively and significantly affected WTP. Gender was positively significant to price of an alternative local RUTFS while distance to dissemination center a negative influence on the price of an alternative local RUTFs. The study therefore recommends increased investments and policy support for increasing production of a local RUTFs to satisfy the demand and ultimately manage malnutrition in Western Kenya. Furthermore, ingredients used in production of RUTFs should be sourced locally creating a marketing opportunity for the locals to the producers of RUTFs and hence economically benefit the locals. The socio economic characteristics, specifically the Gender of respondent, HDDS, Monthly income, Size of Household, Frequency of RUTFs use and marital status should be considered when developing a marketing mix for the product. 2019-01-01T00:00:00Z http://41.89.164.27:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/1119 QUALITY LEAF AND SEED PRODUCTION OF VINE SPINACH (BASELLA ALBA L. AND RUBRA L.) IN WESTERN KENYA Maina, Faith Leafy Vegetables (ALV) that is an excellent source of calcium, iron, vitamin A, vitamin B9 and Vitamin C • It is also good source of income • Despite its nutritional and medicinal benefits, this crop is not included in the top ten priority African leafy vegetables for research in Kenya. • The area under crop in Kenya has not been well established because it is semi domesticated and grows along fences. • Vine spinach in Western Kenya is purely established from vines which means that new varieties cannot be created, low productivity is experienced and diseases are easily passed on to the next generation • Use of seeds for propagation is virtually nonexistent in Kenya and this is attributed to non availability of seed forming varieties 2021-03-01T00:00:00Z http://41.89.164.27:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/464 FACTORS INFLUENCING ADOPTION OF GRAIN AMARANTH/MAIZE INTERCROP AMONG SMALL HOLDER FARMERS IN KIMININI SUB-COUNTY, TRANS NZOIA, KENYA KISUYA, MALABA KENNETH Food insecurity is a real challenge to most populations globally. For several years, agriculture has been the single most important sector, providing livelihood for at least 53% of the economically active population. In particular, about 84% of economically active population is small holder farmers who are engaged in the agricultural sector. For years, most farmlands under cultivation or arable land have reduced significantly due to global population pressure on land. This arable land has continued to reduce to a level that significant agricultural practice is minimal. Declining yields per unit area has also been on the increase, hence creating food deficits in most countries. TransNzoia County despite being the bread basket of Kenya has seen a decline in production in most parts of the county, with Kiminini sub-county on the lead. Poverty index is high with about 60% recorded. Grain amaranth/maize intercrop is one of the potential practices to increasing yields, with Amaranth having unique agricultural properties, high yielding, fast growing and resistance to drought compared to other cereals. The main aim of intercropping is to augment the total productivity per unit area and time, besides judicious and equitable utilization of land resources and farming inputs including labour etc. There is therefore, the need for intercropping to efficiently utilize small parcels of land and avail good nutritional crop mix for the vulnerable households. This study therefore sought to determine the factors influencing adoption of grain amaranth/maize intercropping among smallholder farmers in Kiminini sub-county, Kenya. Cross sectional survey research design was used through structured questionnaire among 100 smallholder farmers from 5 wards of Kiminini Sub County. Data collected was subjected to descriptive statistical analysis and the binary logistic regression model. There were significant differences (p<0.05) observed with regard to adoption of grain amaranth/maize intercrop. Education level played a critical role in adoption accounting for over (75%) with above post secondary education, while other areas such as land ownership (83%),economic factors generally showed regression analysis of r=0.774,p<0.05 whereas, institutional factors largely recorded positive significant effect of r=0.292,p<0.018 such as extension services (76%) with (p< 0.05),NGOs offering the services at (72%) and training being the most sought services by farmers at (75%).social, economic and institutional factors had positive significant influence on the adoption of grain amaranth/maize intercrop. The study therefore concluded that gender; farmer’s level of education, economic and institutional factors had positive significant influence on adoption of grain amaranth/maize intercrop. There is need to strengthen extension services to smallholder farmers to increase their production capacity. 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z http://41.89.164.27:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/455 INFLUENCE OF SPACING, TRELLIS/ STAKING AND PRUNING ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF VINE SPINACH (Basella alba L) IN WESTERN KENYA BWABI, MASOMBO Basella alba L is a highly nutritious indigenous leafy vegetable besides medicinal benefits as compared to other leafy vegetables. Locally known as ‘Enderema’ in Luhya (Western Kenya) has the potential to alleviate malnutrition among communities in Western Kenya and beyond. However, production is limited by a number of factors, including competition for land area with other crops, lack of skills in preparation for consumption and storage, unavailability of seed and lack of appropriate husbandry practices. The potential yield for indigenous vegetable is 42 metric tons however the only 35 metric tons were attained in 2015. The specific objectives were to evaluate the effect of trellis, pruning and spacing on biomass production. To promote production, an experiment was conducted to evaluate trellis, spacing and pruning effect on biomass production. Three types of trellis and spacing and two types of pruning were evaluated. A one season experiment was laid in a Randomized Completely Block Design (RCBD) with three replicates in two sites in Busia and Bungoma counties. All plots were applied with Farm yard manure and Mavuno planting fertilizer (N P K Cao Mg S) after soil analysis. Data was collected and subjected to analysis of variance at (P <0.05) using SAS Mixed linear model version 2012. The parameters measured included Plant height, Number of leaves, Number of branches at 88 Days After Transplanting (DAT). Analysis of variance indicate that trellising (P≤0.05) gave the highest plant height (54 cm), Number of leaves (34), Number of branches (25) and dry matter (28 tons/ha). AdoptIing trellis, pruning and spacing of 20 cm by 30 cm for higher Basella alba yields is recommended. 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z http://41.89.164.27:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/454 ASSESSMENT OF RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GENDER ROLES AND FOOD SECURITY AMONG RURAL HOUSEHOLDS IN BARINGO NORTH SUB COUNTY, KENYA KOKWON, COSTA Agriculture is the main contributor to rural livelihoods and food security in developing economies. However, household agricultural productivity and food security is a function of resource investments that are often subjected to gender influences in decision making process, financial accessibility and ownership of property. To identify gender disparities in agricultural production, this study examines the relationship between gender roles and food security among rural households, with intention to providing information that enhances poverty reduction and economic equality among rural households in Baringo North Sub- County. Descriptive survey design was used to collect data for the study from a target population of 19,734 and a sample of 127 households in the study area using Purposive, proportionate and systematic sampling procedures. The following objectives were investigated; to assess influence of social factors on food security, determine the relationship between gender involvement in farm decision making and food security, describe the constraints of gender inequality on food security and analyze the influence of women empowerment on food security. Questionnaires and observations were used to collect the data. Descriptive data representation was done through frequencies, percentages, tables and charts. Chi- square and regression analysis were used to determine the relationships between the variables while. Results of the study indicated that 51% of the respondents were female and 49% were male and that land ownership influences agricultural production as shown by 98% of the respondents in that it tends to influence access to credit and farming activity to be done. Since most of the land is owned by men (98%), they generally influence the type of farming activity done and financial decisions made. Majority of the respondents (74%) were comfortable with the decision making arrangement in their household while majority of women agreed that it was difficult to access agricultural information, extension services, agricultural credit facilities and difficulty in controlling agricultural finances. It was also evident that women empowerment is a significant factor of food security as agreed by 98% of the respondents. The analysis showed that there is a statistical significance between gender roles and food security (P=0.000), which means that gender in study area affects household food security, hence women need to be financially empowered for improved food security in Baringo. The study concludes that there are differences in men and women farmers in terms of gender roles, land ownership, household decision making, education level, access to credit facilities and production activities. This study recommends that women need to be considered to mainstream agricultural development since maximum productivity cannot be met without involving women. Also household decisions need to be made by either gender depending on their availability in order to improve production efficiencies in the household. 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z http://41.89.164.27:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/330 tetsting rop 2020-01-01T00:00:00Z