Factors Influencing Technical Efficiencies among Selected Wheat Farmers in Uasin Gishu District, Kenya

This study examined the factors influencing technical efficiency in wheat farming in Kenya using a stochastic frontier production function in which technical inefficiency effects were assumed to be functions of both socioeconomic characteristics of the farmer and farm-specific characteristics. The paper used random sampling to interview 160 farmers comprising 97 large-scale farmers and 63 small-scale farmers. The results revealed existence of significant levels of technical inefficiencies in wheatproduction, especially among the large-scale farmers. The study found that the magnitude of technical efficiency varied from one farmer to another and ranged from 48.9% to 95.1%, with a mean of 87.2%. This implied that farmers lost close to 13% of the potential output to technical inefficiencies. There was variation depending on the size of farm with small-scale farmers attaining higher technical efficiency than the large-scale farmers. The main factors that influenced the degree of inefficiency were education levels, access to credit, and ownership of the capital equipment. Higher levels of education (12 years and above or secondary and above) significantly reduced inefficiency as did access to credit facilities and owning the farm equipment. The study recommended that farmers be educated on the use of better techniques such as use of certified seeds and application of recommended levels of fertilizer.

サブサハラアフリカにおける「緑の革命」の可能性に関する研究: ケニアのムウェア灌漑からの教訓

政策分析プログラム / Policy Analysis Program政策研究大学院大学 / National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies論文審査委員: 大塚 啓二郎（主査）, 大山 達雄, Jonna P. Estudillo, 木島 陽子（筑波大学）, 真野 裕吉（一橋大学

Assessment of Agricultural Information Needs in African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) States: Eastern Africa: Country study Kenya

The study aimed to provide insight on status of infrastructure, information services and ICM capacity of institutions involved in agriculture and rural development, Information and capacity building needs in the area of ICM identified for key institutions and potential CTA partners involved in ARD and potential strategic partners for CTA activities and services identified and baseline data on the status of ICM and ICT in ARD compiled for monitoring purposes and improved outreach..

Occurrence of Fusarium head blight of wheat and associated mycotoxins in Narok and Nakuru Counties, Kenya

Open Access JournalFusarium head blight (FHB) is an important disease of small grain cereals. This study assessed the incidence and severity of FHB of wheat at hard dough stage, and levels of deoxynivalenol and T2-toxin at harvest by direct competitive enzyme linked immuno-sorbent assay. Wheat ears were randomly sampled from 51 farms in Narok County and 51 farms in Nakuru County at hard dough stage while wheat kernels were sampled at harvest. Prevalence of FHB in both Counties was 100%. The mean incidence of FHB was 28.4% and 20.5% in Narok and Nakuru Counties, respectively with 16.9% and 11.7% corresponding severity. Over 14 Fusarium spp. were isolated from wheat ears and kernels with F. avenaceum, F. poae and F. graminearum being isolated in the highest incidence. Levels of DON in the kernels ranged from below limit of detection (<LOD) to 623 µg/kg while the concentration of T-2 toxin ranged from <LOD to 69 µg/kg. The levels of DON and T2-toxin in wheat kernels in the two Counties were within the limits set by the European Commission and the United States Food and Drug Administration. The relatively low incidence and severity of FHB correlated with the low levels of DON and T-2 toxin in harvested wheat grains. There is however need to continuously monitor occurrence of FHB and toxin levels in wheat which varies among seasons due to variability in climatic conditions

ANALYSIS OF KNOWLEDGE AND COMPETENCE ON ADOPTION OF CASHLESS PAYMENT SYSTEM AMONG PASSENGER SERVICE VEHICLES IN NAIROBI CITY COUNTY, KENYA

This study sought to analyze the influence of knowledge and competence on the adoption of cashless payment systems in Nairobi. If this innovation is not adopted, then there is hindrance to entrepreneurial growth and development. The research used survey research design and the target population was 197 registered Passenger Service Vehicle SACCOS in Nairobi, Kenya. The sample was 99 respondents selected through systematic random sampling by picking every 2nd manager. The questionnaire was self designed and was used to seek information from the SACCO managers. The SPSS program version 21 was used to aid in organizing and summarizing the data by the use of descriptive statistics. Regression analysis and correlation were used and there was a positive correlation but the relationship was weak. Given that the pvalue was 0.358, a conclusion can be made that knowledge and competence of managers is was not significant in adoption of the cashless payment system, hence we don’t reject the null hypothesis. The study recommends that: passengers and the public be educated on benefits of technology adoption, the cashless system to make use of one smart card that can be used across all transport modes and the network system to be improved. Keywords: Adoption, Cashless Payment Systems, Education Level, Experience, Matatu SACCOs, Keny

Effect of cropping systems on accumulation of Fusarium head blight of wheat Inocula in crop residues and soils

Article PurchasedFusarium head blight (FHB) is an economically important disease of wheat, which causes reduction in grain yield both quantitatively through reduced seed weight and qualitatively by contaminating grains with mycotoxins. The effect of cropping systems on accumulation of FHB inocula in crop residues and soil was assessed at hard dough stage of wheat during the 2013 cropping season in three agro-ecological zones in Narok County, Kenya. A semi structured questionnaire was used to obtain information on wheat production practices. Fusarium spp. were isolated from crop residues and top soil, while incidence and severity of FHB were assessed at mid-anthesis. Majority of the wheat farmers were small scale producers who rotated wheat with maize, grew the two crops in adjacent fields, grew wheat in consecutive years, left wheat residues as standing hay for livestock and practiced simple land preparation methods. Prevalence of FHB was 100%, while mean incidence and severity were 20.7 and 28.4%, respectively. The most frequently isolated Fusarium spp. were F. chlamydosporum and F. graminearum in crop residues and F. oxysporum and F. proliferatum in soil. The incidence of Fusarium spp. in soil and crop residues was highly correlated to FHB incidence but not to severity of the disease. Wheat production practices affect the survival of Fusarium spp. in soil and crop residues between cropping seasons. It is therefore, recommended that after harvesting, wheat straw and maize stover should be removed from the field or be incorporated into the soil through tillage to allow faster decomposition. Inclusion of maize as a rotation crop in wheat production should also be avoided

Extension Assistant Professor State Specialist—Community Development Process

research rural economic and historical factors that affect health insurance availability, including cost drivers and barriers. A team of academics, health care professionals and citizens are examining the history of the health system and economy in this rural county of 12,000, halfway between St. Louis and Columbia. This project presents an opportunity to understand the tremendous transition in rural health in the last century and how the changing rural economy affects coverage. The vehicle of community-directed documentary filmmaking is being used (1) to engage the community in its own self-analysis and exploration of this complex issue; (2) provide the community with a medium for communication; and (3) share project results. This document provides information on community-directed filmmaking as a community development tool and on the Montgomery County pilot project. Key words: community development tool; community video; film; health; participatory researchCOMMUNITY VIDEO AS A COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TOOL Movie production, once limited to Hollywood professionals or home movie amateurs, has become increasingly common in the last decade with the advent of improved, high quality, consumer-level video cameras and affordable digital video editing programs. Children across the country are making videos as part of classroom projects, and college students are producin

Understanding mountain soils : a contribution from mountain areas to the International Year of Soils 2015

Smallholder farmers in the Taita hills and Mount Kilimanjaro recognize the need to conserve soil nutrients of fields and farms located in the upper, middle and lower zones of mountainous areas. These mountain communities depend on rain-fed subsistence agriculture which means that for sustainable subsistence crop production, they also depend on nutrient availability and use efficiency in farming households. A study under way in the area has looked at loss of land cover and infestations of plant pests and diseases and is using this information to raise farmers&#8217; awareness of soil fertility and to introduce best cropping practices