Forage diversity and fertiliser adoption in Napier grass production among smallholder dairy farmers in Kenya

Feed scarcity is one of the major challenges affecting smallholder dairy production in Kenya. Forages are the foundation of livestock nutritional requirements; forage diversification and fertiliser are intensification options that can increase productivity. A sample of 316 and 313 smallholder farmers were surveyed in eastern midlands and central highlands of Kenya, respectively, to establish the types of forages cultivated and the factors that influence fertiliser adoption in Napier grass (Cenchrus purpureus Schumach.) production. Independent t-tests were applied to compare the effect of continuous variables on social economic and institutional characteristics between adopters and non-adopters on fertiliser and area allocated to different forages. Chi-square tests were used to compare nominal variables for the proportion of farmers growing different forages, criteria they consider in selection of suitable forages, and social economic and institutional characteristics of adopters and non-adopters of fertiliser. Binary logistic regression was used to determine factors that influence fertiliser adoption. The study revealed that forage diversification was low with Napier grass being the only forage cultivated by most farmers (~90%). Urochloa (Urochloa spp), Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana Kunth.) and Guinea grass (Megathyrsus maximus Jaq.) were cultivated by less than 11% of farmers. The fertiliser adoption rate was high (77%) and was influenced by gender of household head, membership of groups, access to extension services and labour. Future research should focus on promoting of forage diversification and investigate quantity and fertiliser application regimes in order to enable development of appropriate advisory services

Accelerate Scaling up Forage Intensification Using Novel Digital Extension Approach in Kenya

Wide scale adoption of diverse forages improves livestock productivity and farmers welfare. However, limited access to information and knowledge on forage production results in slow adoption in Kenya. There is need to enhance information and knowledge exchange among farming communities for efficient and effective adoption and decision-making. An inter-institutional pilot project was initiated in 2017 to scale-up forages in Kenya using a novel extension approach - the village knowledge centre (VKC). A VKC is an information and communication technology (ICT) digital platform-based linking farmers through smart phones and social media as a conduit for faster and effective information and knowledge. This paper shares the experiences of VKC intervention to scale up Urochloa grass technology among smallholder farmers for livestock productivity. Through the VKC support there has been increased access of information and knowledge on Urochloa grass management, conservation and livestock feeding. Approximately 702 farmers out of which 28% were women visited the VKC to seek information on Urochloa grass from May 2018 to May 2020. It has trained 22 lead farmers on the establishment and management of Urochloa grass. The VKC has created two WhatsApp groups for networking among farmers with over 330 members. Between September 2018 and May 2020, the groups shared 2550 messages on Urochloa management, conservation, and livestock feeding with other farmers in their communities. Additionally, the VKC has improved availability of Urochloa grass seeds to farmers. Over 530 farmers received the seeds through the VKC, while 500 made request though mobile phone Short Message Services (SMS) and were supplied using courier services. It was evident that VKC intervention has not only improved the adoption rate, but also led to increased forage productivity and higher income for farmers. There is a need to continue using tools such as the VKC in the dissemination of information on Urochloa grass and explore suitable funding for sustainability of the centre after the end of the project

Assessing the Factors Underlying Differences in Group Performance: Methodological Issues and Empirical Findings from the Highlands of Central Kenya

This paper examines the performance of rural groups in Kenya and addresses the methodological issues and challenges faced in doing this, and presents the empirical evidence regarding various hypothesized explanatory factors for relative performance levels. Eighty-seven groups and 442 households were surveyed using several approaches. Various performance measures were tested. Both descriptive analysis and regression models were used to gain a better understanding of the group-level and household-level factors that explain performance. Collective action is desired and practiced for a large number of tasks. The findings highlight the incredible number, diversity and dynamic nature of groups in the highlands of Kenya (and we suspect this finding is not terribly unique to this region). Assessing and comparing performance across a range of group activities is wrought with difficulties related to measurement and standardization. Focusing on groups undertaking similar activities makes it easier to delve more deeply into performance drivers. The empirical analysis focused on the effect of group structural variables (e.g. its size) on performance. We found that choice of performance measure and level at which it is measured (e.g. household, group) matters when it comes to trying to explain the variability in that measure. An analysis across different types of groups engaged in exactly the same activity (tree nurseries) found that predicted group performance was not linked to any easy-to-measure group characteristic, implying that for this task dissemination need not be targeted towards particular types of groups. Looking more broadly at a range of activities, we found that structural factors had varied results

InnovAfrica project endline survey data for Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, South Africa and Tanzania

A consortium of 16 institutions comprising five institutions from Europe and eleven institutions from Africa implemented a project entitled "Innovations in Technology, Institutional and Extension Approaches towards Sustainable Agriculture and enhanced Food and Nutritional Security in Africa (InnovAfrica)" in six countries of eastern and southern Africa namely Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, South Africa and Tanzania from June 2017 to November 2021. The InnovAfrica project collected endline data from 12 pilot sites (two sites per country) in the third years of the project. The data collected during the Endline survey is presented in this document.There is no restriction to use these data set.Funding provided by: H2020*Crossref Funder Registry ID: Award Number: 727201The endline data were collected from 12 pilot study sites comprising two sites each from Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, South Africa and Tanzania using structured questionnaire and focus group discussion

InnovAfrica project baseline survey data for Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, South Africa and Tanzania

A data set was generated thorugh surveys to establish a baseline inforamtion for a project entitled "Innovations in Technology, Institutional and Extension Approaches towards Sustainable Agriculture and enhanced Food and Nutrition Security in Africa (Acronym - InnovAfrica)". The InnovAfrica is a consortium of 16 institutions comprising five institutions from Europe and eleven institutions from Africa and the project was implemented in six countries of eastern and southern Africa namely Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, South Africa and Tanzania from June 2017 to November 2021.There is no restriction to use these data set.Funding provided by: Horizon 2020Crossref Funder Registry ID: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100007601Award Number: 727201The baseline data was collected from 12 pilot sites (2 sites per country) with in the first 12 months of the project using structured questionnaire. Data was first collected using papper based printed questionnaire and later digitalized in KIPUS system (a smart data software)