Mobile technology, farmer education and performance of agricultural projects: A case of the digifarm sunflower project in Makueni County, Kenya.

Mobile technology in agriculture offers an effective and economical means of expanding knowledge sharing and exchange. The purpose of this study was, therefore, to establish the influence of mobile technology on the performance of agricultural projects in Makueni County, Kenya. Specifically, the study remit was mobile applications and mobile money transfers. This study adopted a mixed-methods approach to ensure a comprehensive assembly and triangulation of requisite data to respond to the survey objectives. The target population for this study was all sunflower farmers in Makueni County who subscribed to the DigiFarm platform. The sample size for this study was 208. The results were presented using descriptive statistics and correlations between the variables studied. Mobile applications presented weak positive correlations with the performance of agricultural projects, while Mobile money presented a strong positive correlation with agricultural projects

Potential for Sustainable Urban and Peri-Urban Agricultural Practices in Nairobi County

This study purposed to identify the sustainable potential of urban and peri-urban agriculture practices in Nairobi county as a contribution towards a sustainable food system. A sustainable practice provides a balance between optimal environmental, social and economic dimensions. The study was conducted in Nairobi county, utilised a survey method and employed purposive, stratified and random sampling methods of 149 respondents. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse data. Findings indicated that the most popular   urban and peri-urban practices were open field farming, composting and vegetable nurseries which required minimal inputs and low management skills.  These popular methods were not the most profitable. The most profitable practices were cattle, chicken rearing, mushrooms and hydroponics production. Profitable practices were not common due to high input requirements and the need for specialized management skills. They were also found to require a controlled environment for production and were found to be the most sustainable. The study recommended a transformation from the current popular, unprofitable and environmentally unfriendly practices to sustainable practices by lobbying the county government and other stakeholders to provide subsidized inputs and specialized skills by the county government and other relevant stakeholders. This change with policy support will contribute to providing a permanent solution to the unstable food systems in the city Key terms: Urban and peri-urban agriculture, Sustainable practices, Nairobi County

Potential for Sustainable Urban and Peri-Urban Agricultural Practices in Nairobi County

This study purposed to identify the sustainable potential of urban and peri-urban agriculture practices in Nairobi county as a contribution towards a sustainable food system. A sustainable practice provides a balance between optimal environmental, social and economic dimensions. The study was conducted in Nairobi county, utilised a survey method and employed purposive, stratified and random sampling methods of 149 respondents. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse data. Findings indicated that the most popular   urban and peri-urban practices were open field farming, composting and vegetable nurseries which required minimal inputs and low management skills.  These popular methods were not the most profitable. The most profitable practices were cattle, chicken rearing, mushrooms and hydroponics production. Profitable practices were not common due to high input requirements and the need for specialized management skills. They were also found to require a controlled environment for production and were found to be the most sustainable. The study recommended a transformation from the current popular, unprofitable and environmentally unfriendly practices to sustainable practices by lobbying the county government and other stakeholders to provide subsidized inputs and specialized skills by the county government and other relevant stakeholders. This change with policy support will contribute to providing a permanent solution to the unstable food systems in the city Key terms: Urban and peri-urban agriculture, Sustainable practices, Nairobi County