MST-Department of Geography

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Browsing MST-Department of Geography by Subject "Bungoma County"

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    Dynamics of Sugarcane Production among Small –Scale Growers in Bungoma County, Kenya
    (Kenyatta University, 2021) Protas, Khaemba F.; Philomena Muiruri; Thomas Kibutu
    The sugar industry is an important agricultural sector in Kenya. In 1995, the industry had employed over 35,000 workers and supported over 2 million people in Western Kenya. Sugar production is a major contributor to the economy and has led to approximately 16% growth to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product .The sub sector despite of having greater contribution to the country its output rate is declining and for now it is at 65 tonnes per hectare comparing with the approximated average national output of 100 tonnes per hectare. Due to the decline, many researchers have conducted studies concerning the sugar industry sector. Many researchers have focused much on factors determining productivity of sugarcane and leaving the gap on the socio economic factor causing the decline and the strategies to solve such crises. This study aims to investigate the dynamics of rate of sugarcane output among farmers growing on small scale in Bungoma County, Kenya. Specifically, the study sought to identify characteristics of small-scale sugarcane growers affecting sugarcane production in Bungoma County; determine socio-economic challenges facing sugarcane production in Bungoma County; and investigate the coping strategies adopted by small-scale sugarcane growers in the area of study. The study basing on the Production Theory, correlation design was the guiding parameter in the research process. The population targeted in the study comprised 5,838 small scale sugarcane farmers in Bumula Sub-County. Through multi-stage sampling procedures, divisions and villages were selected for interviewing the sugarcane farmers. Questionnaires were administered to 96 household heads out of 100 sampled. 10 members from each of the two focus groups were interviewed to give more insight on the study objectives. The questionnaire data yielded a reliability coefficient of approximately 0.9 after results representation using Cronbach Alpha’s Measure of Internal consistency. Data recorded during the process was analyzed using two major tools the Microsoft excel and statistical package. Data summaries were in numerical form enabling the use of regressions to show relationship between independent and dependent study variables and sugarcane production. Using Pearson correlation the association between study variables and their significance was established. From data analysis coefficient of determination was at 0.675 indicating that there was 67.5% variance in sugarcane output relating to the study variables. The F value approximated as 161.406 indicates that regression model was fitting well. The model had no serious multicollinearity problems in model since the mean variance of inflation factor (VIF) was 2.349. The study revealed that education level, farm size, land ownership, farming experience, incentives, record keeping systems, extension education, cane by-products and non-contracted cane farming had significant positive effect on cane output. Input cost was found to be a major contributor of declining cane output since it had significant setback on sugarcane production. The study recommends that poor cane pricing, lack of extension education and inadequate financing in cane development in the sugar sector be addressed, to reverse the outcome and increase the potential of sugarcane production. Therefore a need arises to enhance income-generating activities like improving the micro- businesses environment and value addition to sugarcane by-products to increase cane production. There is a need to form collaborations between sugarcane firms, small-scale famers, as well as mentorship from stake-holders so that small-scale growers are well educated on the practice of sugarcane farming, and the challenges that go with it. This will result in enhanced sugarcane production in the area.
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    Factors Influencing Adoption of One Acre Fund Agricultural Innovation Program Among Smallholder Maize Farmers in Bungoma County, Kenya.
    (Kenyatta University, 2022) Maxwell, Sifuna N.; Philomena Muiruri
    The adoption of agricultural development programs is the basis of a country’s economic development. In the past, the adoption of new agricultural practices has helped address the country's food shortages. However, despite efforts to distribute this technology to emerging farmers, research reports report low levels of technology acquisition. This study was prompted by the low levels by most smallholder maize farmers to take up all the components of the One Acre Fund (OAF) agricultural innovation program amid declining maize production and increased population in Bungoma South Sub-County. The study examined factors influencing adoption of OAF agriculture innovation program adoption among smallholder maize farmers, Bungoma County based on the following objectives; To determine socio-economic factors that influence the adoption of OAF programs, to determine the types of OAF agricultural innovations adopted by farmers, to explore the phases involved in the adoption of OAF agricultural innovations and to examine the benefits and challenges as well as the strategies of improving OAF agricultural innovation program adoption to improve the adoption of the OAF agricultural development program. The study embraced the descriptive research design to collect both qualitative and quantitative data. Data collection was done mainly using questionnaires, interview schedules, focus group discussions, and direct observation of 204 OAF households. The second data was collected from published materials, journals, and magazines. Data were analyzed using simple descriptive statistics while quantitative data was filtered, coded, and analyzed using the Social Sciences Statistical Package (SPSS). The regression analysis was used to determine the correlation between dependent and independent variables. The situation analysis was also performed to determine the status of the various types of OAF agricultural innovation by smallholder farmers in the area of study. Pairwise ranking was used to determine advanced acquisition strategies. Findings showed that the socio-economic characteristics of farmers such as age (p = 0.002), marital status (p = 0.000), level of education (p = 0.001), family size (p = 0.047), non-farm work (p = 0.327) and size of land (p = 0.110) affected the adoption of the OAF agricultural renaming. They also pointed out that the phases of adoption of group memberships (p = 0.047), farm visits (p = 0.012), and training (p = 0.000) by field officers also contributed to the adoption of OAF agricultural adoption. Situation analysis identified improved maize varieties, fertilizer application, intercropping, pesticide application, corn drying bags, and acetylic provision as new OAF varieties. Farmers have identified various challenges such as high interest costs, high registration fees, high farm inputs, poor and fertile soil and the small size of land affected farmers in adopting the OAF agricultural rehabilitation program. Proposed interventions for improved acceptance proposed to reduced interest rates (7), crop insurance (6), reduced farm input costs (4), increased fertilizer use (1), and awareness of all new agricultural innovations (1). The study concluded that the adoption of the new OAF for agriculture is influenced by other factors as shown in the adoption model. The study recommends awareness programs, crop insurance, the establishment of farm cooperatives, and the strengthening of farmers' knowledge systems. The study results are expected to be useful to agricultural stakeholders so as to increase the adoption of agricultural technology
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    Susceptibility of Chetambe Hills to Landslides and their Socio-Economic Significance in Bungoma County, Kenya
    (Kenyatta University, 2021) Muchuma, Kandawala Fred; Joy Obando; Raphael Kweyu
    Landslides in most of the world's mountainous and hilly regions pose a substantial threat to human life and infrastructure. As geomorphological phenomena, all hills and mountains are prone to landslides. The current study sought to determine susceptibility of Chetambe Hills to landslides and their socio-economic significance in Bungoma County, Kenya. The study specifically determined the influence of slope angle and settlement changes on landslide susceptibility, determined landslide susceptibility of Chetambe Hills, examined the elements at risk in the event of landslide occurrence on Chetambe Hills and their socio-economic significance and established preventive and mitigation measures to landslide susceptibility. The study used a mixed research design involving qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection. Study design involved use of questionnaires, interviews, Focused Group Discussions, observations, photography, field survey, Remote Sensing and content analysis of secondary data. Field survey involved mapping of the Hills, measurements and observations. Remote Sensing and GIS were used to retrieve temporal Landsat images of the Hills to establish anthropogenic and land cover variability between 2000 and 2015. Questionnaires and interview schedules were used targeting households residing on and around the hills, the area Chief and officials from the Western Region Geological Centre. Land cover maps were derived from Landsat data base at 30m resolution and slope susceptibility was based on landslide occurrence and non-occurrence. Qualitative data was analysed by determination of frequencies, percentages and means and the results were presented on maps, tables, graphs and charts. Quantitative data was analysed by GIS based on explicit spatially derived variables that aid in landslide occurrence, namely land cover maps and slope. A Logistic Regression model in R was used to regress landslide occurrence and non-occurrence against slope. The statistical significance of slope stood at a p value of less than 0.05 hence making the variable slope angle to be significant for deriving the landslide susceptibility map. The study that hypothesized that Chetambe Hills had no statistically significant association between slope angle and susceptibility to landslides was rejected. However, the study hypothesis which stated that high immigration rate has an impact on settlement density and pattern, land use variability and landslide susceptibility on Chetambe Hills was accepted. The study revealed that most of the low susceptibility areas correspond to flat areas especially on the eastern slopes of the Hills, while steep slopes near Webuye town on the western side of the slopes were highly susceptible. The study recommends that the National Government should partner with the County Government and other agencies to sensitize the communities on Chetambe Hills about the risks associated with encroachment on protected areas. The study noted that existing legislation on land use policy prohibiting settlements and farming on Chetambe Hills was not fully implemented, hence continued encroachment. The study therefore recommends that families should use the land in a manner that minimizes its susceptibility to landslides. The study further recommends that the local authorities need to take their rightful role in physical planning and reclamation of Chetambe Hills through reforestation. The study finally recommends that the Ministry of Lands should promptly address the issue of land ownership on Chetambe Hills.