Analysis of competition in the wholesale and retail markets for fish in Kisumu, Kenya

This study analyses competition in the wholesale and retail fish marketing system in Kisumu, which is Kenya's largest fish market. It is based on cross sectional and time series primary data collected in a survey involving 88 retailers and 47 wholesale traders of fish in the town. Stratified random sampling method was used in selecting the respondents, Concentration ratios, Lorenz curves and Gini coefficients are derived and evaluated for both markets. They demonstrate that market shares are unequally distributed among the wholesalers and retailers. The Gini coefficients are 0.37 and 0.45 for the whole and retail markets respectively. Based on a Gini coefficient cut-off level of 0.4, it is concluded that the wholesale fish market exhibits effective competition while the retail outlet has oligopolistic tendencies. The implication of this level of competition to price efficiency is discussed. Intervention measures to enhance competition in the market are recommended

Reality or romantism? Potential of Jatropha to solve energy crisis and improve livelihoods

This paper evaluates the potential of Jatropha curcas Linnaeus (Jatropha) as an alternative source of energy for rural households. The plant is said to have potential to diversify rural incomes, reclaim unproductive lands, reduce importation of fossil fuels, and consequently accumulation of green house gases in the atmosphere. A cost benefit analysis was employed to evaluate the feasibility of producing Jatropha as a biodiesel feedstock in relation to other crops in Kwale district. An IRR of 11 percent, BCR of 0.62 and a NPV of (28267.56) showed that production of Jatropha is not feasible at the moment. However we conclude that the plant has a potential to achieve its intended purpose if there is coordination in research and development along the Jatropha value chain and if technical and financial support is accorded to actors at the production level of the chain.Crop Production/Industries,

ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF IRRIGATED HORTICULTURAL PRODUCTION: A CASE STUDY OF GENDER ISSUES IN KENYA

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the economic contribution of irrigation to productivity of horticultural crops in semi-arid areas/districts of Kirinyaga and Murang'a Kenya, and to evaluate economic variables such as income, employment in relation to gender issues. A random sample of 140 small-scale farmers was. interviewed using a structured pretested questionnaire for cropping season 199111992. Ninety percent of small-scale farmers were growing irrigated horticultural crops. 11ze average family size was 4. 0 persons. Furrow irrigation was used by 65 % of farmers. Other irrigation systems such as sprinklers, bucket and general flooding were also used. Forty seven percent of respondents were males and 38 % were females. 11ze average income from horticultural production was Ksh. 35,363 and Ksh. 15,279 for female and male farmers respectively. 11ze wage rate was the same for male and female ranging between Kshs. 25 to Kshs. 35 per day. The decision making on growing horticultural crops, expenditure, marketing and food reserved for home consumption were jointly made. 111e major problems expressed were water shortage, markets, extension services, and capital and credit facilities. In conclusion, the small-scale irrigation scheme is contributing by ensuring household food security and sustainable development in the rural areas. 11ze study made recommendations that problems encountered be addressed by, for instance, providing credit facilities and extension services

Seed production and distribution mechanisms : case study of pigeonpea in Kenya

In IDL-1120

Assessment of Farmers’ Perception to the Effects of Climate Change on Water Resources at Farm Level: The Case of Kakamega County, Kenya

In the face of climate change, a number of climate variables such as temperature, precipitation, wind speed, humidity and solar radiation tend to affect water resources. This has led to changes in soil moisture, reduced stream run off, reduced ground water recharge and increased transpiration which ultimately causes deterioration of on-farm water resources. Deteriorating water resources at farm level as a result of climate change has led to decreased crop yields in sub Saharan Africa and threatens food security, livelihoods as wells as water security. Understanding factors affecting farmers’ perception of climate change effects on water resources is key in informing policies that can transform smallholder agriculture in Africa to be more resilient to the effects of climate change. This study assesses farmers’ climate change perceptions on water resources at farm-level in Kakamega County, Kenya. Using data collected from 159 farm households in Kakamega County, ordered probit was employed to assess factors affecting farmers’ perception of climate change based on water resources. The results indicate that gender, farm size, distance to the main water source, extension services, access to climate change information through radio and wealth status significantly explained levels of farmers’ perception of climate change based on water resources. The findings inform policies aimed at increasing awareness of climate change effects on on-farm water resources and consequently enhance adaptive water management strategies among smallholder farmers

Feasibility of Biofuel Production in Kenya: The Case of Jatropha

This paper evaluates the potential of Jatropha curcas Linnaeus (Jatropha) as an alternative source of energy for rural households. The plant is said to have potential to diversify rural incomes, reclaim unproductive lands, reduce importation of fossil fuels, and consequently accumulation of green house gases in the atmosphere. A cost benefit analysis was employed to evaluate the feasibility of producing Jatropha as a biodiesel feedstock in relation to other crops in Kwale district. An IRR of 11 percent, BCR of 0.62 and a NPV of (28267.56) showed that production of Jatropha is not feasible at the moment. However we conclude that the plant has a potential to achieve its intended purpose if there is coordination in research and development along the Jatropha value chain and if technical and financial support is accorded to actors at the production level of the chain

Urban Demand for Smallholder Crops; the Case of Fruits and Vegetables in Nairobi, Kenya

Fruits and vegetables are an important source of nutrients for a large number of Kenyans, as well as major earners of foreign exchange, and are commonly grown crop among smallholder farmers, who often sell them for cash. Little is known, however, about the structure of domestic demand for fruits and vegetables in this rapidly urbanizing nation and in Sub-Saharan Africa in general. We apply the Almost Ideal Demand System (AIDS) with seemingly unrelated regression (SUR) to data collected through a household expenditure survey conducted between June and July of 2009. Inelastic estimates of own-price elasticities for cabbage and tomato, and for all fruits, with the exception of onion and avocado, indicate that these are necessities. The own-price elasticities for the vegetables were negative and in the range of (-0.693) and (-0.792). The own-price elasticities for the fruits range between (-0.577) and (-1.104). Estimated cross-price elasticities also illustrate both substitutability and complementarity in demand. Expenditure elasticities above unity for kale, onion, mango and avocado suggest they are luxuries. The high expenditure elasticity of demand for some fruits and vegetables means that potential growth in demand could be large. We recommend that public investments address production and marketing systems with the aim of increasing the availability of fruits and vegetables to Nairobi households, also stimulating domestic demand for these crops among smallholder farmers

Reality or romantism? Potential of Jatropha to solve energy crisis and improve livelihoods

This paper evaluates the potential of Jatropha curcas Linnaeus (Jatropha) as an alternative source of energy for rural households. The plant is said to have potential to diversify rural incomes, reclaim unproductive lands, reduce importation of fossil fuels, and consequently accumulation of green house gases in the atmosphere. A cost benefit analysis was employed to evaluate the feasibility of producing Jatropha as a biodiesel feedstock in relation to other crops in Kwale district. An IRR of 11 percent, BCR of 0.62 and a NPV of (28267.56) showed that production of Jatropha is not feasible at the moment. However we conclude that the plant has a potential to achieve its intended purpose if there is coordination in research and development along the Jatropha value chain and if technical and financial support is accorded to actors at the production level of the chain