Agricultural Economics & Extension Research Papers/Topics

Menthol mint (Mentha arvensis): An annual aromatic crop for small and marginal farmers and MSMEs: A review

Menthol mint, corn mint or Japanese mint (Mentha arvensis) belongs to the family Lamiaceae, which is well-known for its aromatic and medicinal properties in the world, is asserted to have certain capabilities and to use modern technology. Studies on the phytochemistry of Mentha spp. found that it contains glycosides, which are flavonoids. The main chemical constituent i.e. menthol is used in cosmetics, as well as an alternative or complementary treatment for conditions like nausea, vomiting, ...

Importance and nutritional value with therapeutic properties of a traditional gulkand: A review

 Rose flowers are considered an emerging nutraceutical due to their specific nutritional and medicinal properties. In ancient times, people used fresh rose petals or flowers to improve the flavor, taste and aesthetic appearance of foodstuffs. Petals of Rosa damascena, R. centifolia and R. indica, etc., are preferably used for extraction of rose oil and the making of gulkand and residual parts used as rose water. Among all the products, rose oil and gulkand are the most popular and demanding ...

Influence of selected factors on youth participation in agriculture in Kajiado North Sub-County, Kenya

About 60% of the Kenyan population is comprised of youth. Agriculture provides over 80% of employment opportunities and livelihood to Kenyans. However, while youth unemployment is rising, youth engagement in agriculture is declining. Kenya‟s service and industrial sectors have not created enough jobs for the youthful labour force. Declining youth engagement in agriculture has implications on household and national food and nutritional security, unemployment and underemployment which may und...

Do combined sustainable agricultural intensification practices improve smallholder farmers welfare? Evidence from eastern and western Kenya

Abstract Smallholder farmers often bundle different sustainable agricultural intensification (SAI) practices to boost crop yield and address soil fertility challenges. However, there is a dearth of empirical studies that investigate farmers’ adoption of SAI bundles and their subsequent impacts. Using data from a three-wave panel survey of smallholder maize-legume producers in Kenya, we examine the adoption and payoffs from 10 SAI practices clustered into five dominant groups. We use a rand...

Determinants of adoption and adoption intensity of integrated soil fertility management technologies among sorghum farmers in Upper Eastern Kenya

Abstract Climate change manifestations and population pressure are some of the most critical challenges that affect agricultural productivity. Integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) technologies are among the agricultural innovations that have been developed to address declining crop productivity. These technologies have been promoted across diverse areas including marginal agro- ecological zones. Despite the nobility and versatility of ISFM technologies, their adoption is still low par...

Analysis of the factors affecting farm-level output of mangoes among small-scale farmers in Mwala Sub-County, Kenya

Abstract The factors affecting farm-level output of mangoes among small-scale farmers in Mwala Sub-County, Kenya were examined. The first stage of regression analysis resulted that family and hired labour, amount of pesticides and manure had positively significant affected on mango farm-level output. The results on the second stage of the factor affecting mango output was household size, farming income, area allocated to mango farming (farm size), amount of credit, and extension contacts whi...

Extension-Market Linkages on Banana Commercialisation Among Smallholder Farmers in Meru Region, Kenya

Abstract The study examined the effect of extension-market linkages on banana commercialisation among smallholder farmers in the Meru region, Kenya. The study sampled 400 farmers from a target population of 288,802 from the Meru region. The Tobit model was used to analyse the effect of extension-market linkages on banana commercialisation. The results revealed that sources of marketing information (Coef. -0.06) had a negative influence on farmers commercialising banana production. The result...

Determinants of smallholders farmers' participation in collective marketing of maize in the central highlands of Kenya

Abstract Collective marketing has been proposed as a solution to the problem of poor access to markets in developing nations. However, smallholders’ market participation is still limited. This study assessed farmers’ perception of the benefits and challenges in collective marketing, and identified the determinants of smallholder farmers’ participation in collective marketing of maize from 126 households in the central highlands of Kenya. Logistic regression model was used to analyze fa...

Extension-Market Linkages on Banana Commercialisation Among Smallholder Farmers in Meru Region, Kenya

Abstract The study examined the effect of extension-market linkages on banana commercialisation among smallholder farmers in the Meru region, Kenya. The study sampled 400 farmers from a target population of 288,802 from the Meru region. The Tobit model was used to analyse the effect of extension-market linkages on banana commercialisation. The results revealed that sources of marketing information (Coef. -0.06) had a negative influence on farmers commercialising banana production. The result...

Smallholder Coffee Productivity as Affected by Socioeconomic Factors and Technology Adoption

Abstract Despite the increase in area under coffee in Kenya in the last decade, productivity has been on the decline. Numerous production technologies have been developed through on-station research but there has been limited on-farm research to assess the impact of these technologies at the farm level. On the other hand, smallholder farmers are endowed differently and this would positively or negatively affect the adoption of recommended technologies and hence coffee productivity. -is study...

Analysis of the determinants of farmer participation in sorghum farming among small-scale farmers in Siaya County, Kenya

Abstract Sorghum as a drought tolerant crop provides an alternative opportunity towards increasing food production in the face of global climate change, mostly affecting Sub-Saharan Africa. Kenya is in the fore front in increasing the production of sorghum since its landmass is 80 percent arid and semi-arid. Few studies have evaluated farm and farmer related characteristics affecting adoption of sorghum production. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine how selected factors ...

Extension training for banana value addition among smallholder farmers in Meru and Tharaka-Nithi counties, Kenya

Abstract Extension training is intended to increase the efficiency and performance of the human resource that acts responsibly in a society based on a communication interaction with knowledge sources. The main objective of this study was to assess the effect of training farmers on banana value addition among smallholder farmers in Meru and Tharaka-Nithi counties. The study adopted a pragmatic paradigm and a cross-sectional survey design and sampled 370 and 30 farmers proportionately obtained...

Determinants Influencing the Adoption of Rice Intensification System among Smallholders in Mwea Irrigation Scheme, Kenya

Abstract Rice farming has received considerable attention in developing countries and particularly in Kenya due to its impact on smallholders’ income and food security. Irrigated rice is the largest consumer of water, and its sustainability is threatened by water shortage. *is has necessitated the development of alternative irrigation water technologies, such as the system of rice intensification (SRI), which are efficient in water use with improved yields. *is study analyzed the determina...

Technical efficiency in tomato production among smallholder farmers in Kirinyaga County, Kenya

Abstract The study was conducted to assess tomato productivity and determine characteristics that influence technical efficiency among smallholder farmers in Kirinyaga County using the production function approach. Data were collected by administering structured questionnaires to a sample of 384 respondents randomly selected from six wards using multistage stratified and probability proportionate to size sampling procedures. The study adopted cross-sectional survey design and primary data on...

Improving Access to Livestock Markets for Sustainable Rangeland Management

Abstract Productivity of rangelands in Kenya is affected by increasing crop farming especially in more fertile range areas. Among the key factors driving the encroachment of crops on rangelands are the changing opportunities brought about by markets. We hypothesize that the existing market inefficiencies characterizing livestock markets, especially the price disincentives that livestock producers face, are major risks rangelands face. To analyze the effect of livestock market conditions on r...


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