RP-Department of Agribusiness Management and Trade (AMT)
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Browsing RP-Department of Agribusiness Management and Trade (AMT) by Author "Bett, Eric K."
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Item Impact of improved indigenous chicken breeds on productivity. the case of smallholder farmers in makueni and kakamega counties, kenya.(Cogent OA, 2018) Kamau, Christopher N.; Kabuage, Lucy W.; Bett, Eric K.Indigenous chicken (IC) contributes significantly to the socio-economic development and nutritional requirements of rural and peri-urban households. Therefore, focusing on IC productivity remains crucial. Despite the IC potential, unimproved breeds are usually constrained by slow growth and maturity rate leading to low productivity. As an appropriate strategy to improve productivity, improved IC have been disseminated to smallholder IC farmers in Kenya. However, information on impact of improved IC breeds remained scanty thus necessitating this study. A total of 384 households were sampled using stratified random sampling procedure in Kakamega and Makueni. A structured questionnaire was used to collect primary data. Secondary data was accessed from Makueni and Kakamega livestock offices. Propensity score matching (PSM) econometric model was employed using STATA 13. Results from PSM estimates showed that the average egg production/hen/year of adopters was greater than for non-adopters. Education level, group membership, distance to the training point and non-farm activities positively and significantly influenced the impact of improved IC. On the other hand, gender of the household head negatively and significantly influenced adoption decision. Policies should target strengthening the IC farmer’s access to frequent extension services. Moreover, formation of farmers groups is fundamental in enhancing information sharing on improved IC breeds. Further, policies should target more women in poultry production by developing programs in their favor.