Browsing by Author "Macharia, Ibrahim"

Now showing 1 - 14 of 14
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    Analysis of economic efficiency among smallholder sorghum producers in Kenya
    (Academic Journals, 2020) Mwangi, Backson; Macharia, Ibrahim; Bett, Eric
    This study used Cobb-Douglas Stochastic Profit Frontier to analyze economic efficiency of sorghum farmers in Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya. Using a multi-stage stratified sample of 259 farmers, results depicted a wide range of profit efficiency between the best (0.96) and the worst (0.12) farmer with a mean of 0.17. The actual and potential profit was USD 164.88 ha-1 and USD 969.87 ha-1 respectively. This indicates that, sampled farmers incurred profit-loss of approximately USD 804.99 ha-1. Family labour and fixed capital base were the major contributing factors to sorghum profitability. Drivers of profit efficiency pointed out that, farmers who had more experience in sorghum farming, accessed agricultural credit, attended trainings, lived closer to the market and agro-dealers were likely to be more efficient. To increase profit efficiency, this study therefore advocates for policy strategies targeting these factors. Further, policy move targeting increase in uptake and correct application of fertilizer and other inputs should be reinforced.
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    Assessing the potential impact of biological control of Plutella xylostella (diamondback moth) in cabbage production in Kenya
    (Crop Protection, 2005-11) Macharia, Ibrahim; Löhr, Bernhard; Groote, Hugo De
    This study assessed the potential economic impact of the introduction of Diadegma semiclausum, an exotic parasitoid of the diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella, DBM), on cabbage production in Kenya. The study first established yield losses caused by DBM through two methods: measurements from farmer-managed fields and through farmers’ interviews. Crop losses were calculated at 31% from farmer-managed fields, and at 36% from farmer interviews. With a crop loss of 31%, yield loss was estimated at 6.8 tons/ha or US$ 452.9/ha, and at US$ 7.9 million per year for the whole country. Control costs as provided from the interviews, amounted to US$ 118.9/ha. The project costs amount to a net present value of US$ 1.2 million. Based on an annual cabbage production of 256,524 tons, a cabbage price of US$ 66.3/ton, a 30% abatement of yield losses, a 7.9% reduction in cost of production, a supply and a demand elasticity of 0.9 and −1.4 respectively, and an annual increase of consumption of 2.6%, the economic surplus produced by the release of the parasitoid was estimated at US$ 28.3 million for 25 years. Consumers were estimated to get 58% of the benefit and producers 42%. The benefit–cost ratio was estimated at 24:1, with an internal rate of return of 86%, indicating a high return to the investment. Keywords Economic impact; Biological control; Diamondback moth; Parasitoid
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    Assessment of passion fruit orchard management and farmers’ technical efficiency in Central-Eastern and North-Rift Highlands, Kenya
    (2013) Mwangi, M.; Macharia, Ibrahim; Gichimu, C.K.
    In Kenya, passion fruit (Passiflora edulis L.) has emerged as an important high market value horticultural crop over the last decade following the establishment and expansion of large scale processors of fruit juice and increasing population of health conscious consumers. This has led to increasing interest in the enterprise among farmers. However, many farmers have also withdrawn from passion fruit farming, citing low productivity of orchards. The objective of this study was to compare management and technical efficiency (TE) of orchards in Central-Eastern (Embu and Meru Counties) and North-Rift (Uasin Gishu County) Highlands of Kenya in order to determine opportunities for increasing and sustaining productivity. Cross-sectional data from 123 randomly selected farmers was collected using a personally administered structured questionnaire and subjected to managerial and stochastic frontier analysis. Management was assessed considering five practices; training of vines and pruning, weeding, watering, disease management and manure/fertilizer application. Meru County had the highest mean TE (65%) followed by Uasin Gishu (57%) while Embu was the least efficient (47%). Mean scores for the five management practices evaluated also followed a similar trend across the three Counties. The five management practices assessed significantly influenced TE. Therefore, the study established a relationship between orchard management practices and TE of farmers. The study recommends promotion of county cross-border farmer linkages as a platform for sharing ideas and success experiences. Further, increased emphasis on frequent farmer update on farming trends through participatory methods (lead farmer approach, training, farm visits and demonstrations) are recommended to increase farmer awareness on appropriate orchard management practices, which would eventually contribute to improved technical efficiencies and productivity.
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    Assessment of Purple Passion Fruit Orchard Management and Farmers’ Technical Efficiency in Embu, Meru and Uasin-gishu Counties, Kenya
    (2014-02-24) Karani, Charles Gichimu; Macharia, Ibrahim; Mwangi, M.
    Horticulture industry sustains millions of livelihoods in Kenya. Over the last decade, passion fruit has emerged as an important high market value horticultural crop following the establishment of new and expansion of existing large scale beverage producers that use local fruits for juice extraction. There has also been growing export markets and increasing numbers of health conscious consumers. Currently, the productivity levels are low, at 8 ton ha-1 compared to potential of 24 ton ha-1. Purple passion fruit production is mainly done by small scale farmers (with land holding as low as 0.04 ha). The primary objective of this study was to assess purple passion fruit orchard management and technical efficiency of small-scale farmers in Embu, Meru and Uasin-Gishu Counties. Cross-sectional data from 123 randomly selected farmers was collected using a personally administered semi-structured questionnaire. In the analysis, descriptive statistics, stochastic frontier and multiple regression models were used. The results showed that the purple passion fruit production input elasticity was 0.95 which represented decreasing returns to scale. Orchard age, credit amount used, non-passion fruit income and County variables significantly and positively influenced TE at 5% level. The level of education, extension advice use frequency and market access positively and significantly influenced technical efficiency at 10% level. The overall mean technical efficiency was 59%. This indicated production costs saving estimate of 32% for the average farmer in attaining the TE of the most technically efficient purple passion fruit farmer (86%). The gamma parameter (γ) was 0.86 which indicates that 86% of the total variation in purple passion fruit output was due to technical inefficiencies. Farmers in Meru had the highest technical efficiency (65%) followed by Uasin Gishu (57%) while Embu had the lowest (47%). Mean management scores for the five practices (training of vines and pruning, weeding, watering, manure/fertilizer and pest/disease management) evaluated also followed the above trend across the Counties. Based on the results, increased emphasis on farmer update on farming trends through participatory methods (lead farmer approach, training, farm visits and demonstrations) is recommended. There is need for up-scaling orchard management practices among farmers to reduce the orchard age effect and prolong their lifespan. Credit access and use could be enhanced through increased formation and operations of services provision oriented farmers‟ associations. Farm and non-farm income activities diversification should be encouraged to a level that farmers can adequately manage so as to promote enterprises monetary inter-dependence. The study further recommends promotion of County cross-border farmer linkages in tapping the economic potential from passion fruit. This is expected to offer a platform for sharing ideas and success experiences thus increasing farmers‟ production efficiency and improving livelihoods.
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    Determinants of Copying Strategies among Agropastoralists in Kitui and Isiolo Counties, Kenya
    (Discover Agriculture, 2024-10) Wandera, Leah N.; Macharia, Ibrahim; Ngare, Lucy
    Agropastoralists in Kenya’s Arid and Semi-arid Lands (ASALs) face various shocks that threaten their livelihoods and expose them to significant health and economic risks. While existing studies often focus on climate-related shocks, they frequently overlook other challenges faced by these communities. A comprehensive understanding of how agropastoralists manage diverse shocks is essential to developing effective vulnerability reduction strategies. This study examined the major shocks experienced by agropastoral households in Kenya’s ASALs, their primary coping strategies, and the determinants informing the choice of the strategies adopted. Using cross-sectional data from 371 households in Isiolo (203) and Kitui (168) counties, this study applied descriptive analysis and multivariate probit (MVP) models to assess coping strategies and influencing factors. From 2016 to 2021, households faced shocks, such as droughts, livestock pests and diseases, crop pests, theft, and intercommunal conflicts. Regional variations were observed: crop pests were common in Kitui, whereas Isiolo experienced higher theft and conflict rates. Coping strategies include income diversification, asset sales, increased farm labor, and reduced food expenditure. Severe droughts and conflicts led to migration, while floods caused extreme measures such as withdrawing children from school. Key factors influencing coping strategies include household demographics, farm characteristics, and market proximity. Households with more adults, higher literacy, or greater income from crops and livestock are less likely to adopt costly strategies. This study recommends integrated interventions to enhance resilience to both climate and non-climate shocks.
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    Factors Affecting Technical Efficiency of Passion Fruit Producers in the Kenya Highlands
    (SCIENCEDOMAIN International, 2015) Karani-Gichimu, Charles; Macharia, Ibrahim; Mwangi, Maina
    The importance of passion fruit in livelihood improvement has been a key driver among rural households production participation in Kenya. The frequency of harvest and income flows compared to other farm enterprises in the fruit growing regions has been high. However, the productivity of the fruit remains low; an indicator of low technical efficiency. Using a semi-structured questionnaire, cross sectional data from 123 randomly selected passion fruit producers was used in the study to assess factors that contribute to purple passion fruit production efficiency in the Kenyan highlands. The study established a mean technical efficiency of 58.66%. Orchard age, credit amount used, non-passion fruit income and County variables significantly and positively influenced TE at 5% level. The level of education, extension advice use frequency and market access positively and significantly influenced technical efficiency at 10% level. In order to amend the current efficiency status upwards, passion fruit producers and support institutions should incorporate innovative measures towards resource use efficiency for increased productivity.
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    Gender analysis in mango production and marketing in Kilifi County, Kenya
    (2014-08-15) Nyagaya, Billy; Macharia, Ibrahim; Affognon, H.
    The production of mango and marketing in Kenya is hampered by several challenges: inadequate gender involvement in production and marketing, pest and diseases attack, high cost of inputs, poor market infrastructure, and e.t.c leading to lower productivity, decreased profitability and reduction in household income. The objective of this study is to analyze the gender roles in mango production, mango fruit fly control, and marketing in Kilifi County and also to identify constraints affecting men and women involved in mango production, mango fruit fly control and marketing. The study will further assess intra house hold resource allocation and its impact in mango production, mango fruit fly control, marketing and general household well being. Mango productivity in the dominant coastal varieties such as apple, ngowe, boribo, batawi, dodo and the local varieties will be assessed Concern for gender equality in development is now sufficiently well recognized as a prerequisite for poverty reduction, food security and sustainable development .It's against this background that analysis of gender in mango production and marketing needs to be looked at. The study will use purposive sampling method and structured questionnaires will be administered to 500 randomly selected mango growing farmers in Kilifi County. Data will be analyzed using descriptive statistics, regression and correlation analysis.Gender analysis tools such as Harvard analytical framework, Moser gender planning framework and cooperative and non cooperative household models will also be employed. From the problems identified and conclusions made, recommendations for appropriate policies and interventions will be made on best way to involve gender in mango productivity, mango fruit fly control and marketing in Kilifi County and Kenya in general.
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    Impact of Interventions by Consortium for Improving Agriculture-based Livelihoods in Central Africa (CIALCA) on Food and Nutrition Security of Farmer Households
    (2013) Macharia, Ibrahim; Lange, M.D.; Nakhauka, E.B.; Garming, H.; Ouma, E.; Birachi, E.; Asten, P.V.; Lauwe, B.V.; Blomme, G.
    Impact of adopting products promoted by the Consortium for Improving Agriculture-based livelihoods in Central Africa (CIALCA) on food and nutrition security was tested. Multi- stage sampling was used to select 7 project mandate areas, 5 villages/mandate area (stratified into action, satellite and control sites) and 913 households. Structured questionnaires were administered; analysis of impact based on comparison between stratums, differences in means tested by ANOVA and significance of difference obtained by Tukey's HSD multiple rank tests. Perception of adequate food sufficiency received a higher rating in action and satellite sites compared to control sites reason being improved agricultural technologies. For >60% of households, worsened food security was due to climatic conditions. Although a higher proportion of households in action and satellite was meeting calorie RDIs in DRC and Burundi the difference was insignificant from control sites. 53% of respondents in control sites indicated a decrease in intake of protein rich foods, this was significantly higher than the proportion in the action (46%) and satellite (41%) sites.
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    Impact of Organic Vegetable Production System in Kiambu and Kajiado Counties of Kenya
    (David Publishing, 2013) Kahuthia-Gathu, R.; Ndungu, S. K.; Macharia, Ibrahim; Wahome, R. G.
    Though there are many documented reasons that make farmers to adopt organic farming system, economic benefits present a major motivation. The study was conducted to evaluate the impact of organic production system on profitability of smallholder vegetable production systems in the two counties so as to appraise its contribution to improvement of rural livelihoods. The study collected data on costs and returns for a sample of 208 smallholder vegetable farmers who were composed of 78 organic and 130 conventional farmers. Impact of organic production system was evaluated using propensity score matching technique. Organic vegetable production system was found to have a positive significant impact of increasing farm gross margin by US$0.58 representing 89.5% among smallholder producers in Kiambu and Kajiado Counties of Kenya. The study recommended promotion of organic production system as a tool that can be used to improve livelihoods especially in the rural areas.
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    Pesticide Handling Practices by Vegetable Farmer in Kenya
    (Springer Science, 2012-11) Macharia, Ibrahim; Mithofer, D.; Waibel, H.
    Pesticide handling practices have a strong bearing on the exposure of toxic effects to target and nontarget organism. A clear understanding of determinants of pesticide handling practices is a precondition in the design and implementation of policy intervention. To accomplish this, a household survey of 425 respondents was conducted in 2008. Majority of the farmers (85 %) had inappropriately handled pesticides, mainly through, unsafe storage (23 %), unsafe disposal of leftover in either sprays solutions, or rinsate and empty pesticide containers (40 %), failure to wear the required minimum protective gear (68 %), or overdosed pesticides (27 %). However, majority of those farmers were aware of the risks of pesticide use, with over 81 % expressing the view that pesticides have harmful effects on human health, livestock, beneficial arthropods, and on water. Econometric models showed that pesticide handling practices were significantly influenced by variation in record keeping, main source advice on pesticide use, toxicity of pesticide, and geographical location. Pesticide risk perception and negative impacts experiences had no association with handling practices. The study recommends policymakers to design effective, participatory, and location targeted outreach programmes, which deal specifically on promotion of record keeping and reduction in use of harmful pesticides.
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    Potential Economic and Poverty Impact of Improved Chickpea Technologies in Ethiopia
    (2012) Macharia, Ibrahim; Orr, A.; Simtowe, F.; Asfaw, S.
    This study assessed the potential economic and poverty impact of 11 improved chickpea varieties released by the national agricultural research organization of Ethiopia in collaboration with the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics. The economic surplus model applied estimated a total benefit of US$ 111 million for 30 years. Consumers are estimated to get 39% of the benefit and producers 61%. The benefit cost ratio was estimated at 5:1 and an internal rate of return of 55%, indicating that the investment is profitable. The generated benefit is expected to lift more than 0.7 million people (both producers and consumers) out of poverty. Thus, further investments in the chickpea and other legume research in Ethiopia is justified as a means of poverty alleviation.
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    Promotion of integrated pest management for vegetable production in the Eastern ARC Mountains & East African Coastal Forest Mosaic biodiversity hotspots
    (2012-10-04) Nyambo, Brigitte; Maundu, Janet; Macharia, Ibrahim
    A baseline study on the types of vegetables grown, production constraints, market access, and use of synthetic pesticides was conducted in the Taita-Hills (Kenya) and Western Usambara (Tanzania), two areas within the Eastern Arc Mountains Conservation Hotspot in April /May 2006. The objective of the study was to collect baseline information that could be used as a basis for the formulation, development and implementation of locale specific integrated pest management (IPM) training programme for small-scale vegetable growers in the areas. The study provided evidence that (1) a wide range of vegetables are grown for sale in urban centers (Mombasa and Voi-Kenya; and Dar es Salaam, Tanga, Zanzibar and Arusha-Tanzania), (2) vegetable production in both project sites are a source of income and therefore contributes to livelihoods for communities living in the environs of conservation forests (3) a wide range of synthetic pesticides are used in vegetable production and therefore a threat to biodiversity conservation efforts, and, (4) Pesticide use is the first option for the majority of vegetable producers, and hence the need for the introduction of IPM as a strategy to reduce the current over reliance on synthetic pesticides. Whereas in Western Usambara some farmer groups have established organized markets, in Taita Hills farmers sells individually to brokers. Based on the information collected, Chawia environmental committee (Taita Hills-Kenya), and, Malindi-Lukozi and Shashui-Soni (Western Usambara- Tanzania) were earmarked for IPM training in the pilot phase of the project starting in July 2006.