Are Kenya's horticultural exports a replicable success story?

The authors describe the case study as follows: "Kenyan horticultural exports have grown at over 6 percent per year for the past 30 years. Since 1974 the value of Kenya's horticultural exports has increased fourfold in constant dollar terms, reaching US$167 million in 2000 (see figure). As a result, horticulture has become the third largest source of foreign exchange after tourism and tea. More than 25,000 small farmers participate in the sector, accounting for over half of Kenyan horticultural exports." They then examine the impacts and the driving forces of the Kenyan experience and conclude with the key lessons for future successes.

Are horticultural exports a replicable success story?: evidence from Kenya and Côte d'Ivoire

Kenyan horticultural exports are often cited as a success story in African agriculture. Fruit and vegetable exports from Côte 'Ivoire have received less attention, but the export value is similar to that of Kenya. This paper focuses on three questions. First, do the horticultural sectors of Kenya and Côte d'Ivoire constitute valid success stories? Second, what factors have contributed to the success (or lack thereof)? And third, to what degree can the success be replicated in other African countries? The paper finds that Kenyan horticultural exports are indeed a success story: horticulture has become the third largest earner of foreign exchange, more than half the exports are produced by smallholders, and smallholders gain from producing for the export market. At the same time, the total number of smallholders producing for export is relatively small, and trends in European retailing may shift the advantage to larger producers. Côte d'Ivoire is not as clearly a success story because the most of the exports are produced on large industrial estates and because growth has been uneven. Ivorian exports rely on preferential access to European markets relative to Latin American exporters, raising doubts about sustainability. Factors in the growth and success of horticultural exports include a realistic exchange rate, stable policies, a good investment climate, competitive international transport connections, institutional, and social links with markets in Europe, and continual experimentation with the market institutions to link farmers and exporters. Smallholder participation is encouraged by farmer training and extension schemes, investment in small-scale irrigation, and assistance in establishing links with exporters. Many of the lessons of Kenyan horticulture can be applied elsewhere in Africa. Indeed, Kenya faces increasing competition from neighboring countries trying to replicate its success. At the same time, market institutions take time to develop, and demand constraints probably prevent other African countries from achieving the same level of success as Kenya.

The case of smallholder dairying in Eastern Africa:

"Agriculture plays a crucial role in the economy of sub-Saharan Africa. A feature of particular significance about the region is that the majority of households are heavily dependent on agriculture as their major source of livelihood. Smallholder agriculture is the principal producer of staple foods and cash crops, accounting for very large shares of national production and marketed output. For the respective countries, therefore, the performance of smallholder agriculture has crucial implications for the overall economic development process including the alleviation of rural poverty. The demands created by steadily increasing populations, and the pressing need to increase agricultural productivity means that these countries must continuously adopt methods to intensify agricultural production." Authors' AbstractPoverty alleviation, Population growth, Agricultural productivity, Small farmers, Rural poor, livestock, Dairy products industry,

Socio-Economics Determinants of Selection Criteria for East African Zebu Cattle Breeding for Dairy Production: Case of Kitui County, Kenya

East African Zebu (EAZ) cattle play a very important role in the livelihoods of the Arid and the Semi-arid communities.  Despite the breed being the most populous, its contribution to the dairy industry is very low. To ensure success of a breeding program for more milk production, there is need to understand how the indigenous farmers select their breeding cows and bulls for more milk production. A study was therefore conducted in Kitui County to determine the farmers’ selection criteria for breeding bulls and cows for more milk production. To determine how farmers, select an animal for breeding, five selection criteria traits for bulls and eight selection criteria for cows were ranked using Friedman non-parametric analysis of variance test and Wilcoxon Test.  Multivariate Probit model was used to determine the influence of socio economic factors on bulls and cow selection criteria for EAZ breeding. The mean ranks indicated that the bull’s body frame (5.94), udder shape (6.04), teat size and placement (5.8) for cows were regarded as the most important selection criteria.The Multivariate Probit regression results showed that male farmers had a higher preference for bulls’ body frame than female farmers.  The study concluded that selection criteria in breeding bulls and cows are significantly influenced by socio-economic and demographic factors. Key recommendation from the study is to consider farmers’ trait selection criteria in planning and design of a breeding program Keywords: selection criteria, breeding program, East African Zebu DOI: 10.7176/JESD/10-18-06 Publication date:September 30th 201

Gender and Age Analysis on Factors Influencing Output Market Access by Smallholder Farmers in Machakos County, Kenya

Output markets are key prerequisite for enhancing agriculture-based economic growth and increasing rural incomes. However majority of smallholder farmers rarely access output markets. The study determined factors influencing smallholder farmers in Yatta district to access output market based on data collected from 160 households. The data was disaggregated in terms of gender and age and analyzed using SPSS and STATA version 10. Descriptive results revealed a gender and age disparity in accessing output market. Tobit model result indicated that households with access to extension, credit, land, own means of transport, and are members in groups are more likely to access output market.   Nevertheless access to output market was reduced by enterprise diversification, higher education level, household size, age and marital status of household head. To enable farmers to access output market, there is need for policies that promote group membership, improve physical infrastructure, and facilitate access to credit (for example free interest loan) as well as extension services especially to women and youths. Keywords: output market, gender, age-group, disaggregation

Exploring The Nexus Between Crop Diversification and Household Welfare, in Borabu Sub-County, Kenya

Following the effects of climate change, there has been a resurgence of interest in promoting crop diversification as a climate-smart agricultural practice in Sub-Saharan Africa to improve food security, increase income, and reduce vulnerability to external shocks. This practice is considered an effective risk management strategy and consumption smoothing strategy in a context characterized by repeated exposure to shocks. Agricultural production in Kenya is mainly dependent on rain-fed cultivation, with maize as the principal staple food crop. However, staple crops face major challenges and therefore, a diversification from over-reliance on staples will be important as part of progress toward achieving food security. The Kenyan government has, for a long time, been promoting crop diversification to improve household welfare and minimize risks associated with heavy dependence on maize. A decline in maize yields associated with the emergence of new pests and diseases, such as maize lethal necrosis disease (MLND) in Borabu sub-county, emphasized the need for maize farmers to diversify away from maize production. Although this strategy is in use, there is no clear evidence of the impact it has on the livelihoods of vulnerable households. Thus, the study sought to find out the nexus between crop diversification and household welfare among small-scale farming households in Borabu sub-county. Multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select a representative sample size of 385 small-scale farmers. Primary data was collected using observations and interviews with the help of a semi-structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using the STATA computer program. This paper adopted the Endogenous Switching Regression Model to determine the nexus between crop diversification and household welfare, with household welfare being proxied by household financial savings. The findings indicate that smallholder maize farmers who practiced crop diversification experienced an enhanced ability to save than a random individual would have experienced. Keywords: Crop diversification, household welfare, Maize Lethal Necrosis Disease, Endogenous Switching Regression Model. DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/13-8-07 Publication date:May 31st 202

Determinants of the Use of Motorcycle Means of Transport Among Smallholder Dairy Farmers in Sotik Sub-County, Kenya

The poor state of roads and the financial inability of many smallholder dairy farmers to afford better means of transport have led more smallholder dairy farmers to rely mainly on motorcycles as a relatively accessible means of transport to access the market. This study, therefore, sought to establish the determinants of the use of motorcycle means of transport among smallholder dairy farmers in Sotik Sub-County, Kenya. The Rational Choice Theory guided this study. A sample size of 384 smallholder dairy farmers was selected to participate in the study. Data was collected using a questionnaire. The primary data were analysed using STATA. The Standard Poisson model results revealed that age, education, and marital status of the household head, herd size, road condition, milk volume, distance to milk output market, and household size were significant contributors to the use of motorcycle services. These findings suggest that the county government could facilitate the development of innovative organisational structures such as cooperatives and other forms of producer groups. The improvement of road infrastructure, milk collection and milk processing units of suitable capacity could help to increase market access and enhance output milk market participation. Keywords:Motorcycle services, motorcycle means of transport, smallholder dairy farmers, and Standard Poisson model DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/12-14-03 Publication date:July 31st 202

Smallholder dairy in Kenya

The author describes a successful case study as follows: "Dairy production in Kenya has grown at 2.8 percent per year over the past two decades, resulting in per capita production levels double those found anywhere else on the continent. Kenya's commercial farmers laid the foundation for this growth. They introduced improved dairy breeds in the early 1900s, and by the 1930s they had successfully lobbied for a range of government financial and policy support, including quarantine laws, veterinary laboratories, artificial insemination services, and marketing and price controls managed through the Kenya Cooperative Creameries.... Subsequent smallholder growth began slowly in the 1950s and 1960s, spurred by rapidly growing cash incomes in rural areas, which stimulated steadily rising demand for milk." The brief goes on to explore the impacts, the drivers of change, and the lessons learned for future successes. To illustrate her text, the author contrasts dairy sectors in Kenya, Ethiopia, and Uanda."Non-PRIFPRI1; 2020DG

The case of smallholder dairying in Eastern Africa

"Agriculture plays a crucial role in the economy of sub-Saharan Africa. A feature of particular significance about the region is that the majority of households are heavily dependent on agriculture as their major source of livelihood. Smallholder agriculture is the principal producer of staple foods and cash crops, accounting for very large shares of national production and marketed output. For the respective countries, therefore, the performance of smallholder agriculture has crucial implications for the overall economic development process including the alleviation of rural poverty. The demands created by steadily increasing populations, and the pressing need to increase agricultural productivity means that these countries must continuously adopt methods to intensify agricultural production." -- Authors' AbstractNon-PRIFPRI1; Agriculture and Rural DevelopmentEPT

The Case of Smallholder Dairying in Eastern Africa

Agriculture plays a crucial role in the economy of sub-Saharan Africa. A feature of particular significance about the region is that the majority of households are heavily dependent on agriculture as their major source of livelihood. Smallholder agriculture is the principal producer of staple foods and cash crops, accounting for very large shares of national production and marketed output. For the respective countries, therefore, the performance of smallholder agriculture has crucial implications for the overall economic development process including the alleviation of rural poverty. The demands created by steadily increasing populations, and the pressing need to increase agricultural productivity means that these countries must continuously adopt methods to intensify agricultural production. Livestock production is an important consideration in the agricultural development of the region. Livestock, and especially cattle, have historically played multiple roles both in economic life and in socio-cultural traditions of African people. Cattle have been valued not simply as a source of food (milk, blood and meat) and hide but also as a visible form of wealth and a source of social prestige. In certain parts of the region, cattle still provide a valuable source of draft and traction power both for the plough and for transportation carts whereas in Arid and semi-arid lands (ASAL), cattle still provide a valuable security against famine. Traditionally, cattle were a valuable item in the payment of bride price while beef was a valued food item in ceremonies. Moreover, cattle manure is still valued as a fire-fuel and building material in ASAL whilst in arable areas it is valued as a fertilizer. In brief, cattle have retained their multiple roles among the African people. The relative importance of each role, however, varies with production and ecosystems (Freeland 1998; Fitzhugh 1998). In the high potential areas, the economic importance of the cow has increasingly shifted to commercial milk production while at the same time retaining the complementary role of sustaining soil fertility for sustainable agricultural production. In such area, increasing population pressure interacting with the need to sustain soil fertility has driven the change in production structure with dairying becoming an important component of agricultural production. . Eastern Africa is Africa’s most promising region for dairy production. The region is predominantly rural, with over 80 per cent of its inhabitants deriving its livelihood heavily from agriculture. It holds over 40 percent of Africa’s cattle resource of about 222 million (FAOSTAT). This study looks at the development of dairy industry in two east African countries⎯ Kenya and Uganda (Figure 1). From the early 1910s, Kenya has developed a dairy industry that ranks among the largest in sub-Saharan Africa. The industry is especially noted for its smallholder base. Uganda, on the other hand, has a large unexploited potential for dairying. In order to highlight special aspects of the respective country’s industry, the study looks at the countries in turns. The study seeks to take a historical look at the respective dairy industries with a view to identifying major turning points in their respective developments. We then apply the DE-A-R framework in analyzing the circumstances surrounding ii respective turning points, including the socio-political forces that influenced the specific forms of change. Our purpose is to identify the forces, and key actors, that have driven changes in the systems, and to understand the impact these changes have had on the overall production, on smallholder incomes and on the environment by comparing across countries. We hope to identify key ingredients necessary for achieving successful smallholder dairy growth elsewhere