https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/95 2026-05-15T14:17:04Z 2026-05-15T14:17:04Z Onyango, Lilian Achieng Ingasia, Oscar Ayuya Sibiko, Kenneth Waluse https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6109 2024-07-25T15:13:25Z 2024-04-04T00:00:00Z

Determining the pathway for commercialization of bioenergy technologies and products among stakeholders in the bioenergy value chain in Baringo County, Kenya Onyango, Lilian Achieng; Ingasia, Oscar Ayuya; Sibiko, Kenneth Waluse Bioenergy has emerged as a suitable alternative to fossil fuels with a potential to significantly contribute to the country’s energy targets. However, the well-established fossil fuel industry presents a challenge for the development of a commercially viable bioenergy industry. Other factors such as government policies, financial constraints, lack of stakeholders’ coordination, technical complexities, and market chain barriers also contribute to the stagnation of the sector. This paper analyzes these barriers, existing opportunities to overcome the barriers and proposes a pathway to commercialize bioenergy technologies. The research placed stakeholders of the bioenergy value chain as the focus of the analysis, thus complementing the existing literature, and giving it a user-centered approach. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews and interactive focus-group discussions allowing stakeholders to share their experiences and perspectives. The analysis of the barriers to bioenergy expansion helped to identify opportunities to improve policy design and implementation, and address financial constraints and technological difficulties. This study's findings are relevant for developing transition strategies to low-carbon energy futures in Kenya and other developing countries that are struggling with energy transitions.

2024-04-04T00:00:00Z Osiemo, Jamleck Sibiko, Kenneth Waluse Ng'ang'a, Stanley Karanja Notenbaert, An MO https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6108 2024-07-25T15:01:20Z 2024-04-01T00:00:00Z

Are dairy farmers willing to pay for improved forage varieties? Experimental evidence from Kenya Osiemo, Jamleck; Sibiko, Kenneth Waluse; Ng'ang'a, Stanley Karanja; Notenbaert, An MO Though improved forage varieties have the potential to supply high quality feed for livestock and optimize livestock nutrition and production, demand for them in developing countries is low. To inform interventions aiming to increase demand for the improved forages such as pricing, we assessed farmers’ willingness to pay (WTP) for different improved seeds and two types of dried feed in Meru County Kenya. We used a mix of sampling strategies to recruit 356 dairy farmers into the study. We used the Becker-De-Groote Marschak (BDM) mechanism to elicit WTP, and a mixed effects model in the analysis. We find that the WTP for the forage products (except one) was below the market prices, and that the WTP differed significantly between farmers in cooperatives and those that were not. For related varieties, none is significantly superior to other varieties in terms of WTP. We also find that farmers who had prior exposure to the forages, larger farm sizes, mainly practiced zero grazing, and owned the livestock were more likely to bid above the market prices. Our results underscore the need for strategies that can lower the prices of the improved forages such as reducing the costs associated with their production, certification, storage, and transportation. Training farmers especially on the benefits of the improved traits can potentially increase the likelihood of farmers paying premiums for the improved traits, an important ingredient for the commercialization of the improved forage products at scale. https://www.elsevier.com/locate/foodpol

2024-04-01T00:00:00Z Nambafu, Scolastica Nanjala Bett, Hillary Sibiko, Kenneth Waluse https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6107 2024-07-25T14:54:34Z 2024-04-04T00:00:00Z

Determinants of commercialization of African Indigenous Vegetables among smallholder farmers in Bungoma County, Kenya Nambafu, Scolastica Nanjala; Bett, Hillary; Sibiko, Kenneth Waluse Rising awareness of various lifestyle diseases and illnesses has led to an increased understanding of healthy eating habits, the increased demand for African Indigenous Vegetables (AIVs), and a strict healthier diet in Kenya. Apart from the awareness about the benefits of consuming the AIVs, their commercialization is still low due to how producers are less informed and not connected to market actors beyond their community. On the other hand, the literature on factors that influence commercialization is still limited. The purpose of this study is to sought to reduce that gap by determining the factors that influenced the commercialization of African Indigenous Vegetables (AIVs) among smallholder farmers in Bungoma County. In order to identify 384 respondents from whom data was collected, multistage sampling was used through personally administered questionnaires. The fractional regression model (FRM) was used to determine factors influencing the commercialization of AIVs in Bungoma County. The FRM results indicate that the eight explanatory variables included in the model significantly influenced the commercialization of AIVs among smallholder farmers. These variables are the gender of the farmer, land size, mode of payment, distance to the markets, AIV yields, AIV cost of production, duration to reach the market, and value addition. The researcher recommended that all gender should be engaged in the commercialization of AIVs and that the government to put in place policies and regulations that support the commercialization of AIVs, as they support other cash crops, which would equally enhance the quality and quantity improvement of AIVs that are distributed to various markets. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44279-024-00013-6

2024-04-04T00:00:00Z Rono, Patrick K Rahman, Shaikh M Amin, Modhurima Dey Badruddoza, Syed https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/5843 2023-11-09T15:04:35Z 2022-12-23T00:00:00Z

Unraveling the Channels of Food Security of the Households in Northern Kenya: Evidence from an Exclusive Dataset Rono, Patrick K; Rahman, Shaikh M; Amin, Modhurima Dey; Badruddoza, Syed Most of the 10 million Kenyans lacking food security lived in the arid and semi-arid northern part of the country in a climatic condition of high temperatures and very little rainfall throughout the year. Frequent droughts had devastating effects on the livelihoods and food availability of the population.

2022-12-23T00:00:00Z Bwari, Phoebe Mose Bwire, Chrilukovian Wasike Kipsat, Mary Jepkemboi https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/5837 2023-11-08T16:06:25Z 2023-10-10T00:00:00Z

Determinants of the risk attitude of indigenous chicken farmers and the effect of risk attitude on indigenous chicken productivity in Kenya Bwari, Phoebe Mose; Bwire, Chrilukovian Wasike; Kipsat, Mary Jepkemboi Indigenous Chicken (IC) keeping in Kenya is predominantly based on an extensive system that is characterized by high mortality rates, resulting mainly from disease outbreaks and predation. Information on farmers’ risk attitudes is scarce despite the risks inherent in IC production systems. Similarly, it is unclear how socioeconomic factors influence IC farmers’ risk attitudes and how their risk attitudes influence IC productivity. As a result, an understanding of the determinants of farmers’ risk attitude and the effects of risk attitude on IC productivity are critical. Primary data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Multi-stage sampling procedure was used to sample 240 IC farmers from an accessible population of 598 chicken farmers in Nyanza region. Ordinary least squares regression analysis was carried out to determine the influence of the socio-economic variables on the risk attitudes of the IC farmers, and a two-stage least squares regression analysis was used to determine the effect of risk attitude on IC productivity. Total land size, family size, occupation of the farmer, and total household expenditure had a positive and significant influence on the risk aversion behavior of the farmers. Farming experience, number of chickens, and cost of depreciation had a negative impact on risk aversion. The risk aversion coefficient had a negative and significant relationship with chicken productivity. Farmers’ risk attitude and socioeconomic characteristics should be considered part of the guide to formulating and implementing policy on risk management. https://doi.org/10.17306/J.JARD.2023.01686

2023-10-10T00:00:00Z Nambafu, Scolastica Nanjala Bett, Hillary Sibiko, Kenneth Waluse https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/5797 2023-09-27T16:12:06Z 2023-06-09T00:00:00Z

Vertical market linkages between smallholder African indigenous vegetables farmers and other market actors in Bungoma County Nambafu, Scolastica Nanjala; Bett, Hillary; Sibiko, Kenneth Waluse The study aimed at determining the vertical market linkages that exist between smallholder African indigenous vegetable (AIV) farmers and other actors in Bungoma County, Kenya. Multistage sampling was employed to identify a sample of 384 respondents. Primary data collection was accomplished through observations and interviews using a pretested semi-structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using STATA. The results indicated that African nightshade was the most commonly produced AIV at 73.9%, followed by cowpeas at 68.8%, spider plant at 63.3%, jute mallow at 34.4%, and vegetable amaranth at 21.9%. Smallholder AIV farmers had links to various market actors such as retailers, wholesalers, processors, and final consumers. However, these farmers also faced several challenges including transaction uncertainties, limited access to market information, and high transaction costs. Thus, there was a need for vertical market linkages in order to increase the competitiveness of AIV producers in the market. Vertical market linkages in Bungoma County mainly consist of producer-final consumer (98.7%), producer-retailer (91.7%), producer-processor (29.2%), and producer-wholesaler (19.8%) linkages. The producer-retailer and other vertical market linkages were predominantly informal, encompassing 94% of the total. Farmer-processor linkages, however, had a higher proportion of formal (11.9%) relationships. AIVs are popular in local Kenyan cuisine and this provides a major source of income for smallholder farmers. The informality of the relationship between farmers and market actors is a time-saving and less-complex option. Establishing community-based organizations and associations can improve access to formal markets and facilitate sourcing in large quantities at regular intervals DOI: 10.5897/JDAE2023.1380 https://academicjournals.org/journal/JDAE/article-full-text-pdf/600D4D070898

2023-06-09T00:00:00Z Atsiaya, Godfrey Obwina Gido, Eric Obedy Sibiko, Kenneth Waluse Mbudzya, Joseph Jabu https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/5796 2023-09-27T16:00:43Z 2023-09-11T00:00:00Z

Composite effect of adaptation to climate variability, agrometeorological information, and socioeconomic and institutional factors on agricultural productivity in Kenya Atsiaya, Godfrey Obwina; Gido, Eric Obedy; Sibiko, Kenneth Waluse; Mbudzya, Joseph Jabu Climate variability has adversely affected agriculture and adaptation strategies are significant in enhancing resilience hence ensuring food security. Agrometeorological services are essential in decision-making and developing farmers’ specific adaptive capacities mainly when variability affect agricultural productivity. This study focuses on the composite effect of adaptation to climate variability, agrometeorological information, socioeconomic and institutional factors on agricultural productivity in Kenya. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to obtain a sample size of 384 sorghum farmers. The study used an endogenous switching regression model to control for the selection problem arising from adaptation to climate variability on agricultural productivity. Results indicate that extension contacts and education level were positively significant among adapters of climate variability. Additionally, the proportion of income allocated for farming was positively significant among non-adapters. On the other hand, access to credit, gender and age of decision makers were negatively significant among adapters of climate variability. Similarly, age was negatively significant among non-adapters of climate variability. Overall, adapters to climate variability had higher sorghum output than non-adapters. This study recommends that policymakers and other key stakeholders could increase the number of extension contacts and promote education to farmers so that they can access agrometeorological information, hence adaptation to climate variability. doi: 10.24294/nrcr.v6i2.2290

2023-09-11T00:00:00Z Omondi, Samuel Onyango https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/5764 2023-06-30T13:43:55Z 2022-04-29T00:00:00Z

Poultry value chain in two medium-sized cities in Kenya; insights from cluster theory Omondi, Samuel Onyango Poultry is an attractive enterprise among urban smallholder farming households and is the most common livestock reared for home consumption and sale. By combining cluster and value chain approaches, the study analyses the operation of poultry value chain in medium-sized cities of Thika and Kisumu, Kenya. The study draws on a survey of 312 urban poultry producing households as well as qualitative interviews with key stakeholders in the urban poultry value chain. Spot market is the predominant governance structure in the poultry value chain in Thika and Kisumu. Farmers and traders employ various upgrading mechanisms to maintain their competitiveness. However, some producers and traders engage in illegal activities such as theft of poultry, illegal slaughtering and sale of adulterated low-quality poultry feed. Results also show that poultry producers in Thika enjoy the benefits of being located in a cluster of feed millers and close proximity to output market. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2022.601299

2022-04-29T00:00:00Z Heather Mackay Omondi, Samuel Onyango Jirström, Magnus Alsanius, Beatrix https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/5763 2023-06-30T13:38:13Z 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z

Analysing diet composition and food insecurity by socio-economic status in secondary African cities Heather Mackay; Omondi, Samuel Onyango; Jirström, Magnus; Alsanius, Beatrix https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-93072-1_10

2023-01-01T00:00:00Z Okelloh, Winnie Ogutu Bett, Hillary Kiplang’at Sibiko, Kenneth Waluse https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/5752 2023-06-27T11:32:20Z 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z

Development of Improved Groundnut Varieties for Dietary Upliftment among Households in Homa Bay County, Kenya Okelloh, Winnie Ogutu; Bett, Hillary Kiplang’at; Sibiko, Kenneth Waluse Low dietary diversity is one of the major causes of malnutrition in Kenya. As a result, the government of Kenya and its partners have promoted the uptake of plant based legumes such as Improved Groundnut Varieties to offer solution to the rising cases of poor nutrition. Understanding the impact of Improved Groundnut Varieties on dietary diversity is critical but evidence shows that it’s not yet explored. This study sought to estimate the impact of Improved Groundnut Varieties (IGVs) on dietary diversity among smallholder farmers in Homa Bay County, Kenya. The study used multi-stage sampling procedure where the sub-counties and wards were purposively selected. The villages and respondents were selected using simple random sampling. Cross-sectional data was collected through interview schedules on a random sampling of 384 households. Both descriptive statistics and econometric methods, Propensity Score Matching method were used. The results pointed out that Improved Groundnut Varieties had a positive and significant impact on the diets of the farmers. Households cultivating IGVs had better dietary diversity non-adopters. Overally, this study recommends sensitization of farmers to adopt IGVs and the need for the government to facilitate extension service provision, trainings and access to credit to increase yields and incomes. Again, the study recommends formation of farmers groups that are business hubs as opposed to social welfare to enhance bargaining power and access to inputs and outputs market. Additionally, there is need for intersectoral collaboration between agriculture and health sector to sensitize farmers on the importance of diversifying diets and consuming the crops grown in the farms. https://doi.org/10.9734/ajaees/2022/v40i111715

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