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

COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGE OF THE EASTERN AND CENTRAL AFRICA IN THE COFFEE EXPORT SECTOR: THE CASE OF BURUNDI

Coffee is a major contributor to the economies of East African Community (EAC) members. However, recently, export of the crop has declined due to internal and external forces of supply and demand. This paper sheds light on the EAC\u2019s comparative advantage in this cash crop in the international coffee market, with a special focus on Burundi, whose green coffee export is a backbone to its total exports (75%). The study is based on the proposition of the trade theory that partnership in international trade is determined by the prevailing comparative advantage. An improved normalised comparative advantage index, Normalised Revealed Comparative Advantage (NRCA), was used on data of coffee exports of Standard International Trade Classification (SITC) 3 4-grade, for the period 2000-2012. In order to conduct a dynamic comparative analysis, we used a time trend regression model to detect whether a country has gained or lost its comparative advantage during the period under study. Instability analysis was also used to depict the extent of NRCA volatility when the time trend was not statistical significant. Empirical results reveal that EAC countries had comparative advantage, with Uganda and Kenya leading the group during the period under study. However, they exhibited a simultaneous reduction in competitiveness in the global market, though at different levels. For the ECA countries to remain competitive in the global market, they must strengthen their position in the market by tackling coffee price volatility at ^producer level and show willingness to revamp the coffee industry.Le caf\ue9 est un grand support de l\u2019\ue9conomie des pays membre de la Communaut\ue9 d\u2019Afrique de l\u2019Est (CAE). Cependant, dans les p\ue9riodes r\ue9centes, les exportations de cette culture industrielle a chut\ue9 a cause des facteurs tant internes qu\u2019externes de l\u2019offre et de la demande. Cet article a pour but de d\ue9gager le niveau de l\u2019avantage comparatif des exportations de cette culture industrielle dans les pays importateurs, avec un aper\ue7u sp\ue9cial sur le cas du Burundi dont les exportations d\ue9pendent principalement du caf\ue9 (75 percent). Cette \ue9tude se base sur l\u2019hypoth\ue8se de la th\ue9orie de l\u2019\ue9conomie internationale selon laquelle les tendances du commerce international sont pr\ue9dites par l\u2019avantage comparatif. L\u2019indicateur de l\u2019analyse de l\u2019avantage comparatif, Avantage Comparatif R\ue9v\ue9l\ue9 Normalis\ue9 (NRCA) a servi \ue0 analyser NRCA sur les donn\ue9es des exportations du caf\ue9 vert, SITC grade 3- 4, durant la p\ue9riode de 2000-2012. Pour mener une analyse comparative dynamique, nous avons utilis\ue9 le mod\ue8le de r\ue9gression de tendance temporelle. Cette analyse nous a permis de savoir si le pays en question a gagn\ue9 ou perdu son avantage comparatif durant la p\ue9riode consid\ue9r\ue9e. L\u2019analyse d\u2019instabilit\ue9 a \ue9t\ue9 adopt\ue9e afin de trouver le d\ue9gr\ue9e de la volatilit\ue9 de NRCA lorsque la r\ue9gression de tendance temporelle donnait des r\ue9sultats dont les diff\ue9rences \ue9taient statistiquement non significatives. Les r\ue9sultats empiriques ont montre que tous les pays membres de la CAE pr\ue9sentent un certain avantage comparatif dans ce secteur caf\ue9 avec le Kenya et l\u2019Uganda \ue0 la t\ueate du groupe des pays pendant la p\ue9riode consid\ue9r\ue9e. N\ue9anmoins, tous ont perdu leur avantage comparatif dans le march\ue9 mondial du caf\ue9 durant la p\ue9riode en \ue9tude mais \ue0 des niveaux relativement diff\ue9rents. Cet article a recommande que si les pays de la CAE et sp\ue9cifiquement le Burundi, veulent \ueatre comp\ue9titif sur le march\ue9 mondial du caf\ue9, ils doivent r\ue9soudre l\u2019\ue9pineux probl\ue8me de la volatilite du prix au producteur, mais aussi avoir la ferme volont\ue9 d\u2019acc\ue9l\ue9rer les politiques de restructuration du secteur caf\ue9

Louise Müller e o Jogo da Filosofia Africana: Lopes, Marcos Carvalho. Louise Müller e.o. Jogo Da Filosofia Africana." In Tcholonadur: Entrevistas Sobre Filosofia Africana, edited by Marcos Carvalho Lopes, 183-95. São Carlos: Pedro & João Editores, 2023.

Louise Müller e o jogo da filosofia africana*“O conhecimento é como um baobá, nenhuma pessoa sozinha pode abraçá-lo”. Esse é um provérbio Akan que pode ser combinado com outro que diz “Que nenhuma cidade (polis) possui sozinha a verdade”. Nenhuma cidade poderia almejar a posse integral da verdade. É nesse sentido que a filósofa holandesaLouise Müller, especialista na cultura akan, tem se dedicado à filosofia africana, desenvolvendo diálogos interculturais, assim como, buscando se aprofundar nos conhecimentos de línguas e culturas africanas.Modern and Contemporary Studie

Technology-policy gap and impact on application of animal biotechnology in sub-Saharan African countries

The livestock sector continues to play a major role in the economies of many sub-Saharan African countries. Predictions indicate that demand for livestock products will increase in the coming decades due to increasing human population and urbanisation. This calls for enhanced livestock production and productivity, which will require and will clearly involve increased intensification while also ensuring that the systems are resource efficient. Livestock diseases and the need for sustainable natural resource management are among the key challenges that need to be addressed. Although livestock research has over the years been directed at addressing these issues, little progress has been made in sub-Saharan Africa. Conversely, the application of biotechnology, for example in animal health, has significantly benefited developed countries more than African countries. This paper addresses the apparent gap between research and technology generation and adoption of the technologies on farms, especially by smallholders in sub-Saharan Africa. It is argued that science and technology policy if it exists, does not address the constraints faced by the farmers in a way that would facilitate adoption. The constraints include inadequate infrastructure, markets, capacity building, extension, credits, tenure system and institutions among other factors. Governments ought to address these issues at policy level as a way of accelerating widespread application of livestock biotechnologies particularly for increased productivity and profitability in the sub-sector. Moreover, concerted efforts from the national and international community in addressing issues of intellectual property rights, biosafety regulations and rules, fair trade, as well as effective and open communication between researchers, policymakers and technology users would be required

Factors determining market prices of small ruminants from a pastoral production system in Kenya

Reports on the results of a study of small ruminant marketing from a pastoral production system in Baringo district (northern Kenya). Estimates the effects of body weight, body condition, species, sex and time of sale. Evaluates the effectiveness of the auction method in stabilizing prices during a selling operation

Tourism and the environment : economic, socio-cultural and biophysical impacts of tourism in Kenya; a cost-benefit analysis approach

Tourism and tourism-related activities are seen as important means of providing the much needed foreign exchange earnings, income and employment opportunities in Kenya. However, tourism, if not properly planned and managed, may cause significant negative socio-cultural and environmental impacts. This multidisciplinary study examines the economic, socio-cultural biophysical and conservation costs and benefits of tourism to Kenya, as reflected by the tourist expenditure and perceived by the local residents and other stakeholders of the industry. The goal of the study was to enhance scientific knowledge directly related to the sustainable management of resources that support tourism in Kenya. Tourists and local perceptions were gathered through surveys, in-depth discussions and non-participant observations. Existing literature on tourism impact research in other areas, especially in the developing countries is reviewed. Tourism in Kenya is based around wildlife safari and coastal beach resources. The study closely examined the effects of tourism within the key areas in different environments in Kenya focusing on three communities at the coast and four around the sampled up-country national parks/reserves, respectively..

Determinants of Beef Meat Supply in Burundi: A Vector Error Correction Model Approach Applied to structural Nerlov Paradign

The issue of beef meat supply response is an important one as it has an impact on production, nutrition, and poverty alleviation. The traditional beef meat supply that characterizes the livestock sector of Burundi may be unsustainable in providing the desired amount of food meat to the growing population and may be chocked off by a stiff competition in the regional trade agreement, COMESA and EAC where South Africa, Botswana and Kenya are the leading beef meat suppliers. This paper mainly aims to determine factors affecting beef meat supply in Bujumbura based on the structural Nerlov paradigm. Time series analysis was used on annual data for a period of 40 years (1970-2010). Both co-integration and Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) were used to fine tune the Nerlov model and determine the long-run and short-run relationships between the variables of interest. Empirical results show that the long-run relationship exists through co-integration tests and beef price supply is inelastic (ε = 0.8) as it has been expected. The speed adjustment coefficient of partial adjustment of 18% indicates that there exist some production costs that slow and retard the beef supply function to adjust to price variation. Clear mechanisms to link beef and cattle producers to market and slaughterhouses in Burundi are desirable in order to reduce or eliminate factors that constrain beef supply in Burundi

Disentangling farmers’ preferences and cost allocation among inputs for food security in Vihiga District, Kenya

Vihiga, one of the poorest and densely populated districts in Kenya is perpetually food deficit. Poor welfare indicators and resource base continue to curtail efforts to circumvent food insecurity among households in the district. In their current financial status, what are their preferences when it comes to choosing inputs for food production? How do they allocate their scarce input expenditure among the various inputs required for food production? What are their major considerations when they are making such choices? Descriptive statistics were used to determine input preferences and cost distribution among the farm inputs. Cluster sampling was used with divisions forming the main clusters in the district. Using systematic random sampling, 50 households were selected from each cluster resulting in a sample of 300. Results show that labor cost pre-dominates farm input cost followed by fertilizers and seed maize. Out of the total labor cost, land preparation, weeding and shelling account for the largest chunk of labor cost the balance being accounted for by planting, harvesting, topdressing and transport activities. Similarly, inorganic fertilizers are the major contributor to soil amendment costs. Similarly, local seed variety is preferred due to its low acquisition costs, while hybrid H 614 is preferred to other hybrid seed due to its performance and other desirable properties like low postharvest losses during handling.Farmers’ input preference and a deeper understanding of contributors to input cost is critical for proper planning of farmers production. Especially when production is rain fed

Replication Data for: Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies from a one-year National Serosurveillance of Kenyan Blood Transfusion Donors

These data contain anonymised residual donor serum samples used for screening of transfusion transmissible infections collected at the KNBTS regional centres which has been used to compute standardised SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence by age, sex and region using KNBS population as the standard population