Science, Technology and the Nightly News: A Service Learning-Based Approach in Teaching Science Communication to Journalism Students

Journalists have often been accused of over-simplifying complex scientific stories leading to less audience engagement and information at a time when U.S news media continue to experience declining audiences. U.S. media has also experienced a gradual decline in coverage of science stories for a variety of reasons. Through a partnership with the National Science Foundation, journalism students at a university in the Midwest sought to correct this problem using a service-learning approach that produced science-based video content distributed through NSF channels. Results show improved student comprehension of scientific content may increase the quality of science stories available on television news.  

Effects of Market Reforms on Irish Potato Price Volatility in Nyandarua District, Kenya

This paper evaluates the effects of market reform policies on the volatility of Irish potato prices in Kenya through an analysis of a 20 year monthly time series data set from Nyandarua district using an autoregressive econometric approach. The empirical results show that there has been a rise in Irish potato prices and lowering of price volatility after the implementation of market reform policies. The real prices exhibit seasonal variations around an upward trend with the prices being depressed during the harvesting period. The price risk premia is found to be negative revealing that the cost of carrying out Irish potato business declined, and farmers were better off with the implementation of the reforms. The collection and distribution of price information, storage of Irish potatoes during periods of glut, improvement in productivity and use of commodity exchange markets can help to reduce price volatility. Keywords: Price volatility, Market reforms, Autoregressive mode

Choice of Information and Communication Technology Tools in Tomato Marketing Among Smallholder Farmers in Kirinyaga County, Kenya.

Abstract This study examined the factors influencing the choice of information and communication technology (ICT) tools used in tomato marketing by smallholder farmers in Kirinyaga County, Kenya.  Households were selected through a combination of purposive, two-stage stratified and probability proportionate to size sampling techniques. The study employed Semi-structured interview schedules to collect data from the sampled small-scale tomato farmers.  Factors affecting the choice of ICT tools in tomato marketing were identified using multivariate model. Data analysis reviewed that socio-economic variables have significant influence on the choice ICT tools used.  The result showed that age, income, level of education, farmers’ experience, farm size, willingness to pay for ICT tools and tomato production are predictors of choice of ICT use. However, variables such as land ownership and labour have no significant influence on the choice of ICT tools used. This study provides relevant organizational bodies and policy makers with required information that will help in improving the tomato marketing sector through promotion of ICT use

Choice of Information and Communication Technology Tools in Tomato Marketing Among Smallholder Farmers in Kirinyaga County, Kenya.

Abstract This study examined the factors influencing the choice of information and communication technology (ICT) tools used in tomato marketing by smallholder farmers in Kirinyaga County, Kenya.  Households were selected through a combination of purposive, two-stage stratified and probability proportionate to size sampling techniques. The study employed Semi-structured interview schedules to collect data from the sampled small-scale tomato farmers.  Factors affecting the choice of ICT tools in tomato marketing were identified using multivariate model. Data analysis reviewed that socio-economic variables have significant influence on the choice ICT tools used.  The result showed that age, income, level of education, farmers’ experience, farm size, willingness to pay for ICT tools and tomato production are predictors of choice of ICT use. However, variables such as land ownership and labour have no significant influence on the choice of ICT tools used. This study provides relevant organizational bodies and policy makers with required information that will help in improving the tomato marketing sector through promotion of ICT use

Choice of Information and Communication Technology Tools in Tomato Marketing Among Smallholder Farmers in Kirinyaga County, Kenya.

Abstract This study examined the factors influencing the choice of information and communication technology (ICT) tools used in tomato marketing by smallholder farmers in Kirinyaga County, Kenya.  Households were selected through a combination of purposive, two-stage stratified and probability proportionate to size sampling techniques. The study employed Semi-structured interview schedules to collect data from the sampled small-scale tomato farmers.  Factors affecting the choice of ICT tools in tomato marketing were identified using multivariate model. Data analysis reviewed that socio-economic variables have significant influence on the choice ICT tools used.  The result showed that age, income, level of education, farmers’ experience, farm size, willingness to pay for ICT tools and tomato production are predictors of choice of ICT use. However, variables such as land ownership and labour have no significant influence on the choice of ICT tools used. This study provides relevant organizational bodies and policy makers with required information that will help in improving the tomato marketing sector through promotion of ICT use

Farmers’ Participation in Factory Contracted Services and its Effect on Profitability among Smallholder Sugarcane Farmers in Malava Sub-county in Kenya

Sugarcane crop is among the industrial crops that are major employers and contributors to the Kenyan economy. In a bid to attain self-sufficiency in sugar, Kenya has made remarkable efforts to develop sugarcane subsector. However, sugarcane productivity is still low compared to its potential yield. For a long time, this crop has been grown through contract farming. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of participation in factory contracted services on the profitability of smallholder farmers in Malava Sub-county in Western Kenya. Primary data were collected using structured questionnaires from a sample of 384 farmers using systematic random sampling and proportional sampling allocation techniques. Analysis of variance was applied to determine if there is a significant difference between profitability of contracted and non-contracted farmers. The effect of contracted services on profitability among contract farmers was analyzed by multiple linear regression. The results showed that contracted extension, labour and credit services have significant effect on farmers’ gross margins. Based on the results, the study recommended the Kenyan government to formulate policies that enhance provision of contracted extension, labour and credit services. The need for a review of the existing contract engagement terms among sugarcane farmers is also evident in this study

Farmers’ Participation in Factory Contracted Services and its Effect on Profitability among Smallholder Sugarcane Farmers in Malava Sub-county in Kenya

Sugarcane crop is among the industrial crops that are major employers and contributors to the Kenyan economy. In a bid to attain self-sufficiency in sugar, Kenya has made remarkable efforts to develop sugarcane subsector. However, sugarcane productivity is still low compared to its potential yield. For a long time, this crop has been grown through contract farming. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of participation in factory contracted services on the profitability of smallholder farmers in Malava Sub-county in Western Kenya. Primary data were collected using structured questionnaires from a sample of 384 farmers using systematic random sampling and proportional sampling allocation techniques. Analysis of variance was applied to determine if there is a significant difference between profitability of contracted and non-contracted farmers. The effect of contracted services on profitability among contract farmers was analyzed by multiple linear regression. The results showed that contracted extension, labour and credit services have significant effect on farmers’ gross margins. Based on the results, the study recommended the Kenyan government to formulate policies that enhance provision of contracted extension, labour and credit services. The need for a review of the existing contract engagement terms among sugarcane farmers is also evident in this study

Farmers’ Participation in Factory Contracted Services and its Effect on Profitability among Smallholder Sugarcane Farmers in Malava Sub-county in Kenya

Sugarcane crop is among the industrial crops that are major employers and contributors to the Kenyan economy. In a bid to attain self-sufficiency in sugar, Kenya has made remarkable efforts to develop sugarcane subsector. However, sugarcane productivity is still low compared to its potential yield. For a long time, this crop has been grown through contract farming. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of participation in factory contracted services on the profitability of smallholder farmers in Malava Sub-county in Western Kenya. Primary data were collected using structured questionnaires from a sample of 384 farmers using systematic random sampling and proportional sampling allocation techniques. Analysis of variance was applied to determine if there is a significant difference between profitability of contracted and non-contracted farmers. The effect of contracted services on profitability among contract farmers was analyzed by multiple linear regression. The results showed that contracted extension, labour and credit services have significant effect on farmers’ gross margins. Based on the results, the study recommended the Kenyan government to formulate policies that enhance provision of contracted extension, labour and credit services. The need for a review of the existing contract engagement terms among sugarcane farmers is also evident in this study