Determinants of Improved Maize Seed and Fertilizer Use in Kenya: Policy Implications

Maize is a key food crop in Kenya. While maize yields increased from 1.25 t ha-1 in early 1960s to over 2 tonnes in 1982, they fell below 1.5 t ha-1 in 2000. Given the limited land area, there is no doubt that Kenya will have to rely more on modern technologies for increased yields .Use of improved maize varieties and fertilizers will therefore continue to be critical inputs for improving productivity. To improve production, it is important to understand factors determining adoption and intensity of use of modern technologies. A stratified 2-stage sampling design was used to select 1800 households, subsequently interviewed by means of structured questionnaire. Econometric models were used to explore factors influencing adoption and intensity of use of the improved varieties and fertilizer. Access to credit was positively related to adoption and intensity of use of the two inputs. Extension contacts positively influenced the likelihood of adoption of improved maize seed, while amount of planting fertilizer used positively influenced both the adoption and intensity of use of improved varieties. Distance to market negatively determined the adoption and intensity of use of fertilizer. In addition gender and access to hired labour had negative impacts on the intensity of use of fertilizer. There is need to think of alternative sources of credit to farmers and also revamp the existing extension service (including privatization in the long term) for efficient delivery of information.Maize, adoption, improved seed, fertilizer, credit, extension, Kenya, Crop Production/Industries,

Threshold Dynamics of Vegetation and Their Management Implications in a Mongolian Shrubland

The concept of ecological threshold has spurred important advances in understanding the nonlinear behavior of ecosystems to various disturbances (Groffman et al. 2006, Suding and Hobbs 2009). Studies on lakes, coral reefs, and arid grasslands have shown that structural attributes of ecosystems can change abruptly along a disturbance gradient (Scheffer and Carpenter 2003, Mumby et al. 2007, Sasaki et al. 2008). Yet, such nonlinear response patterns are implicitly assumed to reflect the modification of system feedbacks and interactions. We know little about mechanistic linkages between nonlinear response patterns and underlying feedback mechanisms, and the irreversibility of nonlinear responses. Consequently, in many applied settings, the threshold concept is being adopted without sufficient evaluation of evidence. Here, we present initial work towards the understanding of threshold dynamics of vegetation in a Mongolian shrubland. Our study should enhance the conceptual development of ecological threshold as well as human decision-making

The macroeconomic limits of income's policy in a dependent country : The need and possibilities for radical reforms in social policies in Argentina after the crisis (2001-2008)

This article analyzes incomes policies in Argentina. In particular, we study the role of social and wages policies during the years 2001-2008. In this regard we’ll comment on the effectiveness of policies towards the reduction of poverty and show how they are strongly conditioned by macroeconomic policy objectives and by Argentina’s mode of capitalist participation in the world’s economy. Our argument is that the peripherical position of Argentina’s economy and the correlative policy of undervalued real exchange rate and public sector’s fiscal surplus, limit the government’s ability to allow for a clearly pro-poor income’s policy (including social and wages policies). The need for “competitiveness” and foreign debt payments puts immediate pressure on wages, incomes and labour conditions for the working people.Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educació

The macroeconomic limits of income's policy in a dependent country : The need and possibilities for radical reforms in social policies in Argentina after the crisis (2001-2008)

This article analyzes incomes policies in Argentina. In particular, we study the role of social and wages policies during the years 2001-2008. In this regard we’ll comment on the effectiveness of policies towards the reduction of poverty and show how they are strongly conditioned by macroeconomic policy objectives and by Argentina’s mode of capitalist participation in the world’s economy. Our argument is that the peripherical position of Argentina’s economy and the correlative policy of undervalued real exchange rate and public sector’s fiscal surplus, limit the government’s ability to allow for a clearly pro-poor income’s policy (including social and wages policies). The need for “competitiveness” and foreign debt payments puts immediate pressure on wages, incomes and labour conditions for the working people.Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educació

Livelihood strategies in the rural Kenyan highlands

The concept of a livelihood strategy has become central to development practice in recent years. Nonetheless, precise identification of livelihoods in quantitative data has remained methodologically elusive. This paper uses cluster analysis methods to operationalize the concept of livelihood strategies in household data and then uses the resulting strategy-specific income distributions to test whether the hypothesized outcome differences between livelihoods indeed exist. Using data from Kenya’s central and western highlands, we identify five distinct livelihood strategies that exhibit statistically significant differences in mean per capita incomes and stochastic dominance orderings that establish clear welfare rankings among livelihood strategies. Multinomial regression analysis identifies geographic, demographic and financial determinants of livelihood choice. The results should facilitate targeting of interventions designed to improve household livelihoods.Livelihood strategy, Kenya, Smallholder agriculture, Cluster analysis, Community/Rural/Urban Development,

Hermeneutics of Kenyanism: A philosophy of education for the attainment of national unity in Kenya

Introduction: Since the attainment of independence from the colonial master in 1963, Kenyans have employed all available resources to keep the nation of Kenya from disintegrating along tribal lines. This has seen national unity being accorded priority in the process of education. However, efforts to establish national unity have faced several challenges, from ethnic tensions to tribal clashes and pogroms. Purpose: Investigated the most appropriate educational philosophy that can guarantee attainment of the aim for national unity in Kenya. Methodology: This study employed hermeneutics as a philosophical method of interpreting scriptures, speech, pictures, consciousness, feelings, emotions, and imaginations. Results: A common way of life referred to as Kenyanism exists such that it is anchored by symbols, environment, culture, religion, and language. The study argued that, in addition to Kenya being a country that comprises many ethnic groups, the geographical boundary, African philosophy and religion, and the Kiswahili language are key tenets of Kenyanism. Recommendations: The study recommended that education in Kenya should propagate Kenyanism to guarantee the attainment of national unity. Furthermore, education should propagate negative ethnicity education to makes recipients conscious of causes and effects of negative ethnicity

The Maize Green Revolution in Kenya Revisited

The maize green revolution, which increased maize yields through the use of improved varieties and fertilizer, has stalled since the mid-eighties in Kenya. This paper examines whether the stagnation of yields continued in the 1990s in spite of the implementation of the maize liberalization policies by the Kenya Government. Analysis of farm level surveys from 1992 and 2002 indicates slight increases in the use of improved maize varieties and fertilizer, but a substantial decrease in the intensity of fertilizer use. The econometric analysis suggests that the intensity of fertilizer use has a major effect on yield. The use of improved maize varieties, however, did not affect yield, suggesting that there are local varieties for some areas that do as well as improved varieties. Research is needed to develop improved varieties for some areas, and also needed for the development of alternative affordable soil fertility measures.green revolution, maize, adoption, soil fertility, Kenya, Crop Production/Industries, International Development,

Normative leadership: A paradigm for promoting ethical practices in primary teacher education in Kenya

Introduction: Ethical leadership is crucial in all organizations in relation to the successful attainment of institutional vision and mission. However, the influence of morally laden normative leadership on the promotion of ethical practices in primary teacher training colleges in Kenya has not yet been fully analysed and will require further interrogation. This gap is addressed in this study. Purpose: The study analysed how normative leadership can inspire ethical practices contained in Chapter Six of the Kenyan 2010 constitution, in the context of primary teacher education in Kenya. Methodology: Within the phenomenological research design, interviews were conducted to answer two questions, related to how normative leadership inspires ethical practices in public primary teachers training colleges (TTC) in Kenya. The purpose-sampling technique was used to select 35 leaders of TTC and seven regional education officers. Thematic analysis was used whereby the coded data was manually analysed on the basis of identified themes and presented in the form of tables and narratives. Results: The research findings revealed that as role models, normative leaders can succeed in creating a positive ethical environment that institutionalize ethical practices contained in Chapter Six of the Kenyan Constitution to be precise; integrity, discipline, dedication to duty and moral decision making within primary teacher education in Kenya. Conclusion: This study established that the impact of normative leaders as they demonstrate virtuous behaviour and are positive role models in the context of moral goodness and moral duty could inspire ethical practices within training colleges for teachers. Recommendation: The study proposed a philosophical paradigm of normative leadership that can positively influence the mind-set of leaders and their subordinates within TTC to internalize ethical practices on the foundation of moral goodness and moral duty

Critique of policy frameworks for value education in primary school curriculum in Kenya

Introduction: Ethical values are fundamental aspect of human life that governs the choice between doing good or bad. Recently, there has been an increase in cases of unethical behavior among school going children and the general public at large in, despite the various efforts being made by the government of Kenya to integrate values concerns in the curriculum. Purpose: The study was a critique of the policy frameworks for value education in primary school education curriculum in Kenya. Methodology: Since this is a philosophical study, critical method was used as the main research methodology. Results: The study established that the current value education strategy in the primary school curriculum in Kenya cannot guarantee the teaching of values concerns due to overemphasis on the academic excellence and the lack of well-articulated philosophy of education. Recommendations: The study recommended the introduction of an independent learning area on ethics so as to compliment other interventions in teaching of values. Also, teachers should be trained adequately on values pedagogy since the current approach assumes that teachers trained in teaching other academic subjects have the competency to teach value