Browsing by Author "Macharia, I."

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    Analysis of profitability of organic vegetable production system in Kiambu and Kajiado counties of Kenya
    (African Crop Science Society, 2013) Ndungu, S.K.; Macharia, I.; Kahuthia-Gathu, R.
    Though there are many documented reasons that make farmers adopt organic farming system, economic benefits present a major motivation. The study was conducted to analyse the profitability of organic production system as an investment alternative to conventional farming in the two Kenyan Counties of Kiambu and Kijiado so as to appraise its contribution to improvement of rural livelihoods. The study collected data on costs and returns from 208 smallholder vegetable farmers who were composed of 78 organic and 130 conventional farmers. The means of variables of the two samples were compared using chi square, while factors associated with adoption of organic production system were analysed using logistic regression. Factors influencing profitability of organic production system were evaluated using ordinary least square regression. Organic production system was found to have higher gross margins for kales and spinach. Age, farming experience, and number of trainings attended; availability of irrigation, target market selected, production per acre, cost of production and price per unit were found to have a bearing on the profitability of an a given vegetable. In addition, age, farming experience, irrigation, land ownership and County of residence were found to be associated with adoption of organic vegetable production system.
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    Entrepreneurial orientation, learning orientation, cost focus and innovation in agri-food SME of Uganda
    (African Journal of Rural Development, 2022-04) Ajer, B.; Ngare, L.; Macharia, I.
    Agri-food Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) play a key role in the economies of most developing countries. With increasing challenges and competitiveness, innovation has been shown to play a critical role in sustaining growth of the numerous agri-food SMEs in developing countries. This innovation is influenced by several factors including entrepreneurial orientation (EO) of the firm. This study introduces learning orientation and cost focus into the EO-Innovation paradigm with the aim of understanding the relationship among EO, learning orientation, cost focus and innovation. The study was conducted in the districts of Kampala, Mukono, Wakiso and Jinja in Uganda. These districts collectively have the highest concentration of agri-food firms in the country. Primary cross-sectional data were collected using semi structured questionnaires from a cross-section of 521 SMEs spread across the study area. Data were analyzed using multivariate structural equation modeling in AMOS v.23. Results suggest the importance of proactiveness in enhancing learning orientation, cost focus and innovation. On the other hand, entrepreneurial proclivity was seen to have significant influence on learning orientation and cost focus but not on innovation. The findings of this study have implications in agri-food SME learning orientation and cost focus. In essence, helping SMEs to become proactive or have high levels of proclivity would also increase their cost focus and learning orientation which are all important for the sustainability of agri-food SMEs. Keywords: Agri-food, entrepreneurial proclivity, learning orientation, proactiveness, small and medium enterprise, Uganda
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    Parental awareness of hearing impairment in their school-going children and healthcare seeking behaviour in Kisumu district, Kenya
    (Elsevier, 2007-03) Otieno, S.; Ogol, C.K.P.O.; Omondi, D.; Macharia, I.
    Background Hearing-impaired children who are identified early and appropriately managed have improved outcomes in speech, language, cognitive and social development. Enhanced parental awareness of their child's hearing disability, behavioral, developmental and psychosocial limitations is essential to sustaining timely detection and appropriate intervention. Additionally, availability of services for diagnosis, treatment and habilitation would improve the demand for pedaudiological care in this community. Objective To describe level of parental awareness of childhood HI and the pattern of access to and utilization of ambulatory care services. Subjects Thirty-three parents of lower primary school-going children who failed audiometric screening from sampled schools in Kisumu district, western Kenya. Main outcome measures First person to detect HI, age of child at first suspicion of HI, source of ambulatory health care and use of the health care facilities. Results The prevalence of HI was 2.48%. Most parents/guardians (69.7%) were aware of their child's hearing impairment. Of these, 63.6% were first to detect HI in the pupils, while 30.3% were detected by screen. Most children (57.2%) were first recognized with (HI) after age 2 years. The mean age at identification was 5.5 years. The median travel distance to the preferred health care facility was 2 km (IQR 1–2.5). Parents seldom sought or lacked help for their hearing-impaired children. Of 27.3% who asked for hearing assessment, 9.1% received some counsel on HI and 12.1% received medication, one (3%) was referred for audiological assessment and none used a hearing aid. Use of health facilities for maternal care was (65.7%) and immunization (62.9%). Conclusions Despite adequate parental awareness of chronic childhood disability, health facilities were underutilized. This indicates the need to further stimulate and maintain a desirable level of uptake of services for diagnosis, treatment and habilitation of childhood HI, while sustaining delivery of effective and acceptable high quality paediatric care.
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    Pesticides and Health in Vegetable Production in Kenya
    (Hindawi Publishing Corporation, 2015) Macharia, I.
    This paper investigates the determinants of pesticide-related cost of illness (COI) and acute symptoms, using a balanced panel of 363 farmers interviewed fromsevenmajor vegetable producing districts ofKenya. Finding shows that the incidences of pesticide-related health impairments have increased. Variation in number of symptoms and symptom severity significantly explained COI. The personal protective equipment (PPE), education level, record keeping, and geographical location considerably determined health impairments. Encouraging the proper use of PPE and record keeping of pesticide use could greatly reduce poisoning cases and COI.