Cattle farmers' preferences for disease-free zones in Kenya: an application of the choice experiment method

Management of livestock diseases is important in ensuring food safety to consumers in both domestic and export markets. Various measures are prescribed under the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Standards (SPS) agreement of the World Trade Organization. In order to prevent the spread of trans-boundary cattle diseases, the SPS agreement recommends the establishment of Disease-Free Zones (DFZs). These have been implemented successfully in some major beef-exporting countries, but in Kenya are still at a pilot stage. To understand Kenyan farmers' preferences on the type of DFZ that would be readily acceptable to them, a choice experiment was conducted using a D-optimal design. Results show that farmers would be willing to pay to participate in a DFZ where: adequate training is provided on pasture development, record keeping and disease monitoring; market information is provided and sales contract opportunities are guaranteed; cattle are properly labelled for ease of identification; and some monetary compensation is provided in the event that cattle die due to severe disease outbreaks. Preferences for the DFZ attributes are shown to be heterogeneous across three cattle production systems. We also derive farmers' preferences for various DFZ policy scenarios. The findings have important implications for policy on the design of DFZ programmes in Kenya and other countries that face similar cattle disease challenges. © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd

Technical efficiency and technology gaps in beef cattle production systems in Kenya: A stochastic metafrontier analysis

In this study the stochastic metafrontier method is used to investigate technical efficiency and technology gaps across three main beef cattle production systems in Kenya. Results show that there is significant inefficiency in nomadic and agro-pastoral systems. Further, in contrast with ranches, these two systems were found to have lower technology gap ratios. The average pooled technical efficiency was estimated to be 0.69, which suggests that there is considerable scope to improve beef production in KenyaTechnical efficiency, technology gap, beef cattle, production systems, stochastic metafrontier, Kenya., Livestock Production/Industries, D24, O32, Q18,

The Food Security Equation: What is the Role of Gender and Social Amenities in this Paradigm? A Focus on Rural Households in Yala division, Siaya district, Kenya.

Food security remains a key challenge to the development efforts of most poor nations. This study investigated the significance of gender (denoted by number of male, female and children in a household) and social amenities in the food security equation. Frequency of food-related illnesses in a household was used as proxy for food security situation, while the entitlement/food utilization side of the equation was represented by the number of male and female children in the household, main source of domestic water, distance to nearest health center, means of transport accessible, household sanitation and level of awareness on basic food preparation and handling methods. Both descriptive and econometric models were used for analysis of primary data from a random sample of 100 farm-households in Yala division, Siaya district of Kenya. This study was conducted in February 2004. Results of this study indicated that majority (74%) of the rural households were experiencing poor food utilization, and were thus generally food insecure. The study also revealed that gender and social amenities were significant in the food security equation. Specifically, there was high correlation between food-related illnesses and use of untapped water, more male children than females in a household, long distance to health centers, lack of quick means of transport, unsafe food disposal and poor food storage habits. In order to improve the food utilization and thereby security for the rural farm-households, the study recommends improvement in the provision of social amenities for both male and female household members equitably.Food Security and Poverty,

Strategies to Promote Market-Oriented Smallholder Agriculture in Developing Countries: A Case of Kenya

Smallholder Agriculture is key to livelihoods of many rural households in developing and transition economies. In Kenya, small farms account for over 75% of total agricultural production and nearly 50% of the marketed output. Despite favourable trends in global development drivers such as rising population, per capita incomes and emerging urban dietary preferences, most smallholder farmers remain poor. This study sought to characterize agricultural commercialization trends, identify and prioritize constraints to participation in markets, analyse determinants of percentage of output sold, and explore strategies to promote market-oriented production. A participatory Rapid Rural Appraisal approach, household survey and a Truncated Regression model were used. A sample of 224 farmers: 76 of them growing maize, 77 involved in horticulture (kales and tomatoes) and 71 practising dairy, were interviewed in one peri-urban and one rural district (Kiambu and Kisii, respectively). Results show that in rural areas, lower levels of output are sold and fewer farmers participate in markets compared to the peri-urban areas. Opportunities for profitable commercial agriculture are observed in growing demand, emerging food preferences and intensive farming. At village-level, market participation is hampered by poor quality and high cost of inputs, high transportation costs, high market charges and unreliable market information. At the household-level, the determinants of percentage of output sold are producer prices, market information arrangement, output, distance to the market, share of non-farm income and gender. Strategies are suggested to improve rural input supply, institutional and regulatory framework, enhance value addition and strengthen market information provision.Smallholder Agriculture, Market Participation, Commercialization, Kenya, Agricultural and Food Policy, Community/Rural/Urban Development, Demand and Price Analysis, Farm Management, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Food Security and Poverty, International Relations/Trade, Land Economics/Use, Marketing, Productivity Analysis, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies,

Risk Management in Smallholder Cattle Farming: A Hypothetical Insurance Approach in Western Kenya

Smallholder cattle farming is an important livelihood strategy in most developing countries like Kenya. However, tropical diseases in Africa often wipe out these valuable assets. This paper focuses on mitigation of cattle disease risks through a hypothetical insurance scheme. The study is based on data from a survey conducted on a purposive sample of 300 smallholder cattle farmers in Kakamega and Siaya districts of Western Kenya. Descriptive measures and a regression model were used in the analysis. Results of the study showed that most farmers (91.3%) were willing to participate in the cattle insurance scheme. Also, the farmers observed that the scheme would enable them to increase their herd sizes and change their breed composition. The farmer's mean Willingness To Pay (WTP) for the scheme would be determined by their gender, income, cultural norms, cattle breed and economic value/price of the animal kept. This paper recommends establishment of a formal cattle insurance scheme; and economic empowerment of both male and female farmers to encourage adoption of the scheme, as well as educating the farmers on how to integrate the scheme within their cultural norms to ensure it's sustainability.Cattle, smallholder livelihoods, disease risks, insurance, Livestock Production/Industries, Risk and Uncertainty,

Characterizing Smallholder Maize Farmers’ Marketing in Kenya: An Insight into the Intra-Household Gender, Wealth-Status, Educational and Credit Access Dimensions

This paper examines patterns of production and market participation among male-headed households (MHHs) and female-headed households (FHHs), in order to determine the role of gender in accessing agricultural support services in Kenya. Different methods and data sources were used: a survey of 613 maize-producing households was spread over five counties and in-depth farm interviews were carried out; principal component analysis was used to categorize households into wealth categories based on their asset index; descriptive statistics were used to generate means and frequencies; and t-test was applied to show significant differences between groups. The results showed that in comparison to MHHs, FHHs produced and marketed fewer kilograms of maize. Moreover, MHHs are more commercialized in comparison with their female counterparts. More than half of the respondents did not sell their produce, and for those who did sell maize, the farm-gate channel was the dominant outlet. Furthermore, over three-quarters of farmers who applied for credit did not receive it. Notably, there are significant differences between MHHs and FHHs in the quantities of maize produced and sold. Keywords: Market participation, Smallholder farmers, Wealth index, Gender, Kenya

Farmers’ perceptions of commercial insect-based feed for sustainable livestock production in Kenya

This study evaluated farmer’s perceptions of commercial insect-based feed (IBF) products and assessed factors that would influence adoption. Findings show that over 90% of the farmers were willing to use IBF. The principal component analysis (PCA) identified feed performance; social acceptability of the use of insects in feed formulation; feed versatility and marketability of livestock products reared on IB as key attributes that would inform farmers’ purchase decisions. Public partnerships with resource-endowed farmers and farmer groups are recommended to improve knowledge sharing on IBF.Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR

Peri-urban food traders’ preferences for open-air market design and management attributes in Nairobi, Kenya

Open-air markets are a popular market channel for most agri-food products in developing countries. In the peri-urban areas of Kenya, these are the most convenient sources of fresh fruits and vegetables for many households. However, the haphazard organization and management of these markets often results in insecurity and other economic losses. Yet, no empirical study has delved in the analysis of the extent of these challenges and remedial measures. In order to address this critical policy issue and advance knowledge in this area, the present study analyzed peri-urban food traders’ preferences for the design and management attributes of open-air markets in Nairobi, Kenya. A total of 120 agri-food traders were randomly selected and interviewed from open-air markets. The results of a choice experiment survey showed that traders prefer the management of these markets through clearly structured county government procedures, allocation of market space on monthly rotational basis and restriction of space to each user. Further, the study observed that traders prefer comprehensive services provision based on competitive tendering processes. These findings call for reforms in the management and design of open-air markets in order to improve service delivery and security of all participants

Characterization of consumers’ purchase and consumption behaviour for chicken in Nairobi, Kenya: Targeted insights for value chain positioning

Understanding consumer desires is important for effective positioning of goods and services in various market segments. Comprehensive analyses of chicken consumers’ behaviour are limited in the literature; with none in the Kenyan market. This study assessed chicken consumers’ preferred purchase outlets, forms of chicken purchased, frequency and timing of consumption in the peri-urban areas of Nairobi city, Kenya. A random sample of 200 chicken consumers was interviewed at various purchase and consumption places using structured questionnaires. Qualitative methods were applied in the data analysis. Results showed that most respondents buy chicken from roadside markets than other outlets, broilers are preferred to local chicken, consumers prefer fresh slaughtered chicken rather than other forms such as live or cooked, and over two-thirds of the consumers buy chicken less frequently - after a week or longer duration. Further, more than three-quarters of respondents reported that they consume chicken at home compared to when in transit or while away at work. Over two-thirds of the consumers considered cleanliness of place of sale and the seller, price and accuracy of the quantity offered as the main issues that they are concerned with when making purchase decisions. More than half of the consumers also reported that they preferred naturally reared chicken without growth hormones/stimulants. These findings offer useful insights for chicken producers and traders to provide chicken with acceptable features, in the right quantities and timing that fits within consumers’ desires. This will enhance consumer safety and satisfaction, as well as ensure responsible business practices