Determinants of protected tomato production technologies among smallholder peri-urban producers in Kiambu, Kenya

Climate variability and the rise in incidences of pests and diseases continue to undermine production of high value vegetables among smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. In order to respond to these challenges, protected farming technologies (PFT) (such as greenhouses) which modify the plant environment and therefore aid in avoiding the harmful eects of climatic factors have been promoted. Greenhouses protect the crops against high solar radiation and heavy rainfall that have the potential of destroying vulnerable crops like tomatoes. Consequently, PFT is associated with better yields and farm incomes. However, the adoption of PFT among smallholder farmers, not least in Kenya is low. Drawing on the Agricultural Household Model (AHM) theoretic framework, this paper assessed the determinants of adoption of PFT among smallholder tomato farmers in Kenya. Tomato is the second most important horticultural vegetable crop in Kenya after potatoes in terms of production volumes and value. Data for the study were collected from a cross sectional multistage random survey of 104 tomato farming households and analysed using maximum likelihood probit model. The probit results revealed that the age of a farmer, educational level, household size, total household income and access to credit positively influenced the likelihood of PFT adoption. The likelihood of adoption was negatively related to distance to input markets and access to the county government extension services. Overall, the results of this study suggest that an integrated promotional strategy that accounts for household heterogeneities and focuses on institutional arrangements that support the accumulation of human and financial capital would enhance PFT adoption

A scoping review

The article processing charge was funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) – 491192747 and the Open Access Publication Fund of Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin.Malnutrition continues to be a major problem with negative implications on economic and human development in many parts of the world, including in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Strengthening promising underutilized crops that are nutrient dense, climate resilient, and locally adaptable is an instrumental approach to enhancing dietary diversity. Due to their nutritional and economic benefits, African Indigenous Vegetables (AIVs) have the potential to contribute to livelihoods and address challenges of food and nutrition insecurity. Despite their importance but due to their perishability, AIVs tend to suffer from high post-harvest losses (PHLs). Effective distribution systems along the value chain have the potential to reduce PHLs for AIVs. We therefore conducted a scoping review on transport systems and coordination in AIVs value chains in SSA. The objectives of this review were to summarize and analyze the focus of research in AIVs transport, to analyze the extent to which the literature synthesizes interactions of sub-components of the chains, and to identify knowledge gaps in AIVs transport literature. Based on the research foci, we categorize the reviewed articles into seven themes. Our analyses indicate that distance to agricultural market is a fundamental aspect of AIVs transportation, as it interacts with transport costs, market participation, produce quality, and profit efficiency. Results show that collective action is instrumental in the coordination of AIVs transportation and that it contributes to cost reduction. Following light exploration of determinants of choice of means of transport, we recommend further research in this area for improvement of transportation in AIVs value chains.Peer Reviewe

Awareness and attitudes of retailers toward various baobab products in Kenya: Rural townships versus urban markets

AbstractIn the wake of climate change, failing of conventional food systems, and low agricultural productivity, baobab tree is central to the livelihoods of many individuals in ASALs. In Kenya, the baobab is a high-priority tree with high economic value than use value. However, products derived from the tree remain rare and only a few are traded. This paper sought to establish the determinants of awareness and attitudes of retailers toward baobab products. Descriptive statistics, Zero-truncated Poisson model, and Exploratory factor analysis were employed to assess awareness levels, attitudes, and their underlying determinants. Data was collected from 352 retailers in rural and urban markets. Descriptive indicated a low product awareness across markets. Further, attitudes of retailers towards baobab were positive and relatively homogeneous. Out of the 13 statements, 10 scored positively on the Likert scale. The model revealed that gender, age, education, years in retailing, and group membership positively influenced awareness, while distance to the market and income from other sources had a negative influence. Exploratory factor analysis generated five factors that explained 57.93% of the total variance. “Source of employment”, “livelihood and survival”, and “nutritive value and freshness,” had the highest factor loadings respectively. The study, therefore, recommends the need to develop strategies that could promote awareness of baobab products. This includes; designing appropriate educational and training programs that focus on gender disparity, youth, and nutritional value. Likewise, governments and the private sector should invest in baobab value chain and infrastructure to enhance market employability, access and availability of products

Marketing of baobab pulp in Kenya: Collectors’ choice of rural versus urban markets

Baobab products provide cash income and supplement diets for local communities living in marginalised, arid and semi-arid regions. However, these products are neglected by research, selectively traded and considered underutilised. This study endeavours to narrow this information gap by analysing the determinants of baobab collectors’ choice of marketing channels in Kenya. A multinomial logit was employed, using a dataset of 268 baobab collectors from three counties. The results show that the majority of baobab collectors sell their baobab pulp through rural markets (assemblers and rural wholesalers), as opposed to urban buyers (urban wholesalers, retailers and processors). Export channels are conspicuously missing from the chain. Human capital and transactional and institutional factors significantly influence the collectors’ choice of marketing channels. The results reveal that building capacity around market development, research and education, road networks and institutional services is essential to create more profitable channels for generating income, enhancing food security and reducing malnutrition

Characterization and Determinants of Baobab Processing in Kenya

Baobab is an iconic tree that is utilized as a source of food and income generation. While extant literature on baobab has focused on its morphological attributes and nutrient composition, there is a gap in literature in understanding the characteristics of processors and the factors that determine baobab processing. Using cross section data of 304 baobab processors in Kenya, we employ Principal Component Analysis and Cluster Analysis to characterize baobab processors and identify determinants of baobab processing. Results of processed volumes show that baobab processors are grouped in three clusters of high, average and low categories. Clusters of processors are shaped by number of years in processing, access to training, quantity processed, processing cost, income from other sources, access to land, and profit levels. The study suggests the need to train processors on baobab processing to increase their efficiency and returns. Through training, processors will be able to make informed decisions on input use, packaging and presentation of their products to the customers. Also, investment in baobab conservation, harvesting more trees and reducing thematurity rate of the baobab trees will increase baobab inputs thus lowering processing cos