Influence of household savings on investments in climate-smart agriculture technologies: Findings from a climate-smart agriculture (CSA) survey in the Nyando Basin, Kenya

This brief summarizes findings of “Using Climate-Smart Financial Diaries for Scaling in Nyando,” a research project led by the Amsterdam Center for World Food Studies (ACWFS) with participation of the CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) in East Africa, University of Nairobi (School of Economics) and Wageningen Economic Research. It is based on baseline data of an ongoing bigger panel data study involving 122 households located in Climate-Smart Villages (CSVs) and non-CSVs from 44 villages of Nyando Basin in Kisumu and Kericho Counties. The project’s focus is to assess the financial inflows and outflows of farming households by gathering and analyzing data on income, consumption, saving, lending and investment

Dynamics of Current and Residual Phosphorus in Tropical Acid Soil

The use of phosphate rocks (PRs) has been proposed as an agroeconomically sound alternative to the more expensive superphoshates particularly, for P 'recapitalization' based on their purportedly high residual effects in acid tropical soils. To understand the current and residual dynamics of P from different P sources, one laboratory incubation trial and two field experiments were conducted. Experimental treatments comprised factorial combinations (3x4~2o) f three P sources [Triple superphosphate (TSP), Gafsa PR (GPR) and Christmas Island PR (CIPR)] at four P rates with and without manure in three replications. Setaria grass (Setaria Anceps Stapf Cv. Kazungula) was used as the test crop and was sequentially harvested bimonthly for 14 months in the field. Results indicated that the amounts of P extracted from treated soils using three soil tests: Mehlich-3 (M3P), Bray-I (B1 P) and Pi-strip (Pi-P) were in the order: M3P>Bl P (85% M3P) >Pi-P (53% M3P) and were significantly related ( ~ ~ = 0 . 4to2 0 .83, n=294). Phosphorus extracted from the different P sources was in the order: TSP>GPR>CIPR and increased with increasing P rates. When P rates were raised from 0 to 300 kg decreased substantially at the highest P rate. The degree of phosphorus saturation (DPS) (defined as a ratio of P already adsorbed to P adsorption capacity of a soil) also varied with P sources (5.1 to 15.8%) and extractants (2.1 to 44%) following a similar order to extractable P. The variously estimated DPS values were all significantly correlated (r =0.91 to 0.98) and therefore were equally suitable in estimating DPS. Sequential strip P indicated that P released was described by power (~~=0 . 7to9 0.95) (TSP) and exponential (PR) functions ( ~ ~ = 0 . 7to7 0.99), while from the field trial, a power function described RV of P in both PRs and TSP (~*=0.64to 0.96). Total extracted Pi-P was related to NaHCOsinorganic and organic P (Bic-Pi and Po), and HCI-P. However, though the Pi-strip could estimate P release, it could not estimate residual value (RV). Residual value is the ratio of amount of freshly applied TSP required to produce yield X to the amount of previously applied fertilizer required to produce the same yield X. The dry matter yield (DMY) exhibited a quadratic relationship with P rates. The maximum DMY (6- 11 t ha-') was attained at 150-200 kg P ha-' and over time, DMY increased to a maximum(11 t ha") and then declined to a constant yield (24 t ha.') after one year. Manure-CIPR integration increased DMY while, manure-GPR and manure-TSP integration depressed yields except in the initial harvest. Setaria DMY was found to be related to NaOH-organic and -inorganic P (Hyd-Po and Hyd-Pi, respectively), and BioPo fractions, which are not accounted for in M3P or B1P thus explaining the low R~ between DMY and M3P (~~=0.0o8r) B1P (R~=o1.0 ). The current RVs of the three fertilizers determined in the field were 100, 100 and 140% for CIPR, GPR and TSP, respectively at 100 kg P ha-'. At the same rate, fertilizer-manure integration increased initial RV to 180, 160 and 110% in TSP, CIPR and GPR treatments. Wth an exception of CIPR-manure, RV was depressed by manure in the other fertilizers in subsequent harvests after the initial one. The RV also declined with increasing P rates as evidenced by current RV decline to 20, 60 and 50% in CIPR, GPR and TSP, respectively when P rate was raised from 100 to 300 kg P ha". The RV declined to 3040% for the first six months and then gradually to 10 - 20% after one year (power function). These results indicated that GPR and CIPR-manure combination were as good as TSP and the optimal P rate was 100 - 150 kg P ha". The results did not support P 'recapitalization' in this soil but annual applications. The RV could be estimated from the P fractions: Bic-Po, Hyd-Pi and Hyd-Po, and DPS computed from Mehlich extracted Al, Fe and P. The RV had no relationship with M3P or B1 P

Downsizing the corporation: a short-gun approach to strategic human resource management

Artikel inl tidak bermaksud menawarkan cara untuk melakukan perampingan organisasi (downsizing) tetapi sekadar memberi penjelasan kepada para pemimpin mengenai pentingnya proses perampingan dalam organisasi mereka. Dua pertirnbangan pokok dalam hal ini adalah bagaimana menciptakan persepsi mengenai pentingnya perampingan dan bagaimana melaksanakannya sehingga is akan lebih banyak memberikan manfaat. Ini perlu diingat karena dalam kenyataan para pegawai yang bisa temp bertahan dalam proses yang mereka bend alcan menjadi penenru masa depan organisasi. Pengembangan taw kerja yang memiliki kinerja iinggi membutuhkan segenap empati dan daya-pikir agar diperoleh keyakinan dan komitmen pegawai sehingga organisasi mampu melakukan inovasi dalam melaksanakan, mengorganisasi dan memanajemeni orang. Sebagaimana dipaparkan dalam artikel ini, untuk mewujudkan ildim yang penuh dengan kepekaan hubungan antar-pribadi, komunikasi, pemberdayaan dan artikulasi visi dan misi organisasi sernacam itu, para pegawai harus mampu menjawab tantangan-tantangan berat sehingga tercipta pola perilaku yang diperlukan untuk mengejar efektiviras dan efisiensi yang Kata Kunci: perampingan (downsizing), produktivilas, komunikasi. teknologi informas

Evidence of male attractants for fruit flies in the leaf extract of Schinus molle

Attractiveness of odor from leaves of pepper tree (Schinus molle) to male Ceratitis rosa and C. capitata was evaluated in a wind-tunnel. Odor from the leaves was as attractive to male C. rosa as Trimedlure and more attractive to C. capitata males. Responses of both male and female C. cosyra, C. rosa and C. capitata when presented with an extract from S. molle leaves were also evaluated. The flies were highly activated and only males were attracted and landed on the treated dispenser. Onset of activation was more rapid for C. rosa and C. capitata than for C. cosyra. Similarly, large numbers of male C. capitata and C. rosa landed on treated dispenser than C. cosyra. Analysis of the S. molle extract by gas chromatography and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry revealed several monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes. Some of the terpenoids or their blend may constitute a male attractant (parapheromone) for C. capitata, C. rosa and possibly other fruit flies attracted to Trimedlure. Keywords: fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata, C. cosyra, C. rosa, parapheromone, Schinus molle, pepper tree East and Central African Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Vol. 7 2004: 27-3

Environmental concern behaviours in Africa: an exploratory study

Journal of Management and SustainabilityEnvironmental concern, including environmental behaviour continues to receive attention in both the public media and academic research. The purpose of the paper is to investigate environmental behaviour (both purchasing and non-purchasing behaviour) in an African context. Use was made of a quantitative study among a convenience sample of selected African. Statements reflecting non-purchasing behaviour indicated lower mean scores when compared to purchasing behaviour statements. Statistically significant differences were found to exist between different age groups with respect to both purchasing and non-purchasing behaviour as well as between different nationalities with regard to their purchasing behaviour. The findings have the potential of impacting the strategies of organisations operating on the continent. The major contribution of this paper is that is provides insight in the behavioural aspects as seen in an African context, and consequently provides detail on both purchasing and non-purchasing behaviour and the role of marketing aspects (such as price) in influencing purchase behaviour of Africans.Environmental concern, including environmental behaviour continues to receive attention in both the public media and academic research. The purpose of the paper is to investigate environmental behaviour (both purchasing and non-purchasing behaviour) in an African context. Use was made of a quantitative study among a convenience sample of selected Africans. Statements reflecting non-purchasing behaviour indicated lower mean scores when compared to purchasing behaviour statements. Statistically significant differences were found to exist between different age groups with respect to both purchasing and non-purchasing behaviour as well as between different nationalities with regard to their purchasing behaviour. The findings have the potential of impacting the strategies of organisations operating on the continent. The major contribution of this paper is that is provides insight in the behavioural aspects as seen in an African context, and consequently provides detail on both purchasing and non-purchasing behaviour and the role of marketing aspects (such as price) in influencing purchase behaviour of Africans

Nataka chakula” (i'd like food): critical success factors in attracting and retaining customers in Kenyan restaurants

Proceedings of the International Conference on Social Sciences 2013. 23-25 January 2013. Organized by Department of History, Tourism and Travel Managament.The restaurant industry has developed and expanded to gain a global presence in thelast fifty years largely fuelled by the change of lifestyles. Urban populations have grown throughout the world, mobility of people has increased and people spend a lot of time commuting to and from work (Schlosser , 2001). This has been compounded by the increased presence of women in the workplace which has resulted in less time available for them to prepare meals at home(Jekanowski, Binkley & Eales, 2001). These busier consumer lifestyles and dual-working families have led to solutions being sought in using readymade meals (Atkins and Bowler , 2001).For a long time, growth and expansion in the restaurant industry has been associated particularly with the fast food concept (Lashley & Morrison, 2004; Sen 1998). Viewed from the customers' perspective, Anderson and Fornell (2000) assume that businesses exist and compete to satisfy the customers. They suggest that it is not possible to grow a business without at the same time increasing customer satisfaction. A satisfied customer will become a repeat customer and this could in turn grow a business. Following this general business imperative therefore it means that a satisfied customer will have a critical effect on the long-term success of restaurant business. A satisfied restaurant customer will remain loyal to an outlet or restaurant business and continued patronage can follow a global pattern. On the other hand a dissatisfied customer of restaurant will not only avoid the entire franchise or chain outlets but may also make bad publicity and persuade many people to go elsewhere (Gilbert et al, 2004). This presents an eating establishment (such as a restaurant) with a challenge. They need to satisfy customers to gain repeat business, but what do they need to do? Where should a restaurant focus their energies and attention if they are to not only attract new customers but also to keep existing customers satisfied? The focus of attention is on what are regarded as the Critical Success Factors (CSFs), but there is little published research on CSFs in the restaurant industry in Africa, a gap this study aims to fill. The paper will investigate the nature of CSFs specifically in the restaurant (food) sector and then discuss the study that has been carried out. The paper will conclude with the discussion and implications of the research for the Kenyan restaurant marketThe restaurant industry has developed and expanded to gain a global presence in the last fifty years largely fuelled by the change of lifestyles. Urban populations have grown throughout the world, mobility of people has increased and people spend a lot of time commuting to and from work (Schlosser , 2001). This has been compounded by the increased presence of women in the workplace which has resulted in less time available for them to prepare meals at home(Jekanowski, Binkley & Eales, 2001). These busier consumer lifestyles and dual-working families have led to solutions being sought in using ready made meals (Atkins and Bowler , 2001).For a long time, growth and expansion in the restaurant industry has been associated particularly with the fast food concept (Lashley & Morrison, 2004; Sen 1998). Viewed from the customers' perspective, Anderson and Fornell (2000) assume that businesses exist and compete to satisfy the customers. They suggest that it is not possible to grow a business without at the same time increasing customer satisfaction. A satisfied customer will become a repeat customer and this could in turn grow a business. Following this general business imperative therefore it means that a satisfied customer will have a critical effect on the long-term success of restaurant business. A satisfied restaurant customer will remain loyal to an outlet or restaurant business and continued patronage can follow a global pattern. On the other hand a dissatisfied customer of restaurant will not only avoid the entire franchise or chain outlets but may also make bad publicity and persuade many people to go elsewhere (Gilbert et al, 2004). This presents an eating establishment (such as a restaurant) with a challenge. They need to satisfy customers to gain repeat business, but what do they need to do? Where should a restaurant focus their energies and attention if they are to not only attract new customers but also to keep existing customers satisfied? The focus of attention is on what are regarded as the Critical Success Factors (CSFs), but there is little published research on CSFs in the restaurant industry in Africa, a gap this study aims to fill. The paper will investigate the nature of CSFs specifically in the restaurant (food) sector and then discuss the study that has been carried out. The paper will conclude with the discussion and implications of the research for the Kenyan restaurant market

An Ionic Liquid Pretreatment System of \u3ci\u3eDigitaria sanguinalis\u3c/i\u3e

The snowballing demands for cleaner fuel from the transport and industrial sectors has made many believe that biofuel production is the panacea. Is E85 (a laboratory made ethanol based fuel) the cure for the world’s dependence on fossil fuels? A keen look exposes a more critical conundrum; the production of E85 destroys human food. With 1 in 8 people suffering from chronic undernourishment in 2010- 2012, this production is not justifiable. Biofuels are produced through the break down of plants’ cellulosic components (lignocellulose LC) into glucose and then into ethanol. However, two main challenges remain: 1) finding a cheap, reliable and non-food source of LC; i.e. having high cellulose content, and 2; developing a cheap, clean, and reliable conversion/pre-treatment system. Dissolution of cellulosic material in ionic liquids, or ILs (a unique class of solvents) has been reported to make the material susceptible to chemical attack by various reagents/catalysts/acids. Digitaria sanguinalis (hairy crabgrass, a weed) is reported to have high cellulose content. In this research, crabgrass was pre-treated with a series of imidazolium ionic liquids, for 3, 6, and 9 hours followed by acid hydrolysis. The results attained so far, including those of glucose and total reducing sugar quantification work are presented and discussed

Empowerment of Third World Women against AIDS: Special Reference to East and Central Africa

Examines various ways in which women in the developing countries can be empowered to fight against HIV/AIDS

Effect of Management Information Systems on the Effectiveness of Internal Audit in the Public Sector in Kenya

Governance and core business strategy view internal auditing as vital management tool which focuses on internal controls and monetary assessment. The Kenyan government is grappling with inefficiencies, wastage of resources, fraud, corruption and non-achievement of value for money which calls into question the role of internal auditing in management of resources. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of management information system on the effectiveness of internal audit in the public sector in Kenya, a case of the National Treasury. To achieve the above objective, the study was guided by the system theory in an attempt to explain the phenomena under study using descriptive research design.  A sample of 139 internal auditors were selected from a target population of Three hundred and ninety-five (395) internal auditors drawn from the National Treasury in Kenya using stratified random sampling technique. Data was collected through online questionnaires sent through emails. The Descriptive statistics and regression analysis showed that management information system (adjusted R=.70) has a positive and significant effect on the effectiveness of internal audit. Further the descriptive findings supported the notion established by other studies that information system plays a vital role in ensuring efficiency and effectiveness of an organization’s operations. Despite of the positive contribution that management information system can provide to an organization, this study found out that the internal auditors in the national treasury have not yet embraced the use of technology in their function and very few of them have been trained on the use of IFMIS which is the information system expected to be used by public entities in Kenya. On the basis of this findings the study recommends that there should be adequate budgetary provision for the requisite equipment, networking and reliable internet for easier communication and faster response as well as for proper training of the internal auditors on the use of IFMIS. These would streamline governance processes, management of risk and control systems and assisting management improving operations of organization. Internal audit   effectiveness     Governance      Management information system DOI: 10.7176/RJFA/11-17-12 Publication date:October 31st 202

Environmental buying decisions: A Kenyan perspective

This study is for the purpose of determining the environmental buying decisions among tertiary students in Kenya. Global awareness on environmental concerns has led scientists to study human behaviour as it relates to environmental issues. In Kenya there have been sporadic activities that are aimed at taking care of the environment or raising the awareness of the extent of environmental degradation in certain areas. However there is a lack of a clear coordinated plan or policy to address environmental issues. This could be due to lack of sufficient exposure of people to the growing environmental problems consequently the population has not developed habits of taking care of the environment. The specific objectives of the study were to: determine the environmental buying decisions made by tertiary students and to establish how some socio-demographic factors influence the buying decisions that tertiary students make. The study employed both quantitative and inferential methodology to achieve the objectives and also test the hypothesis. The target population of the study was all the students at Strathmore University Madaraka campus, in Nairobi, Kenya and a sample of 203 respondents was drawn. The study concluded that age is a key factor when making buying decisions regarding the issue of the environment. The results indicated that the more the older the person the more the individual will consider the environmental issues when making a decision to purchase an item The study also noted that the decision to be environmentally conscious lies on an individual but not whether one is a man or a female. The study also concluded that the level of income does not seem to influence the buying decisions that people make. Having used a convenient sample may hinder the possibility of generalising the findings to the broader population.This study is for the purpose of determining the environmental buying decisions among tertiary students in Kenya. Global awareness on environmental concerns has led scientists to study human behaviour as it relates to environmental issues. In Kenya there have been sporadic activities that are aimed at taking care of the environment or raising the awareness of the extent of environmental degradation in certain areas. However there is a lack of a clear coordinated plan or policy to address environmental issues. This could be due to lack of sufficient exposure of people to the growing environmental problems consequently the population has not developed habits of taking care of the environment. The specific objectives of the study were to: determine the environmental buying decisions made by tertiary students and to establish how some socio-demographic factors influence the buying decisions that tertiary students make. The study employed both quantitative and inferential methodology to achieve the objectives and also test the hypothesis. The target population of the study was all the students at Strathmore University Madaraka campus, in Nairobi, Kenya and a sample of 203 respondents was drawn. The study concluded that age is a key factor when making buying decisions regarding the issue of the environment. The results indicated that the more the older the person the more the individual will consider the environmental issues when making a decision to purchase an item The study also noted that the decision to be environmentally conscious lies on an individual but not whether one is a man or a female. The study also concluded that the level of income does not seem to influence the buying decisions that people make. Having used a convenient sample may hinder the possibility of generalising the findings to the broader population.This study is for the purpose of determining the environmental buying decisions among tertiary students in Kenya. Global awareness on environmental concerns has led scientists to study human behaviour as it relates to environmental issues. In Kenya there have been sporadic activities that are aimed at taking care of the environment or raising the awareness of the extent of environmental degradation in certain areas. However there is a lack of a clear coordinated plan or policy to address environmental issues. This could be due to lack of sufficient exposure of people to the growing environmental problems consequently the population has not developed habits of taking care of the environment. The specific objectives of the study were to: determine the environmental buying decisions made by tertiary students and to establish how some socio-demographic factors influence the buying decisions that tertiary students make. The study employed both quantitative and inferential methodology to achieve the objectives and also test the hypothesis. The target population of the study was all the students at Strathmore University Madaraka campus, in Nairobi, Kenya and a sample of 203 respondents was drawn. The study concluded that age is a key factor when making buying decisions regarding the issue of the environment. The results indicated that the more the older the person the more the individual will consider the environmental issues when making a decision to purchase an item The study also noted that the decision to be environmentally conscious lies on an individual but not whether one is a man or a female. The study also concluded that the level of income does not seem to influence the buying decisions that people make. Having used a convenient sample may hinder the possibility of generalising the findings to the broader population