Abstract Mangrove forests provide harvestable wood and non-wood resources to human society globally. The current study evaluated value chain of mangrove wood products from Lamu, Kenya, and how these impacts on resources’ sustainability. Results show that, exploitation of mangrove wood products in Kenya involves several actors, including national regulator, licensees, cutters, transporters, stockists and the consumers. Based on the differences between allowable and harvest data, Lamu mangro...
Abstract/Overview Technology and Innovation Support Centers (TISCs) were established by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in 2009 to support innovations in least developed countries. They facilitate innovators to access high quality innovations and technological information. They have been very successful in the United Kingdom and Germany. TISC implementation in Kenya has been evaluated in this work and challenges experienced determined with suggested mitigations. An eva...
Abstract Background and Objective: Spontaneous temporal and spatial interspecific hybridization between crops and their weedy progenitors may have potential environmental risks and implications in the adoption of genetically modified crops. This study determined the pattern of gene flow from S. bicolor to S. halepense, S. sudanense and S. bicolor ssp. verticilliflorum in open-pollinated field plots. Materials and Methods: Concentric field designs were planted to evaluate the pattern of gene ...
Abstract Access to finance is critical to growth as well as development of small and micro enterprises (SMEs) .Most of the SMEs rely on commercial banks for financing of their enterprises. At times collateral requirement could deter some entrepreneurs from acquiring finances which could interrupt business growth as well as development. This study sought to investigate the effect of collateral requirement on financial performance of agribusiness small and micro enterprises in Nyeri Central Su...
Abstract Tea plays an important role in Kenya as it contributes about 26% of foreign exchange earnings and supports approximately five million people. Since independence, the Tea Industry has experienced rapid growth in acreage under tea production and in both export volumes and incomes. The smallholder tea sub-sector accounts for about 60% of the Kenyan tea production. Despite this state, the cost of production has also been on the increase. However, even as the percentage return to the far...
Abstract A review of empirical literature demonstrates the link between learning organization and firm performance. However, mediating role of learning organization in the relationship between knowledge management and firm performance has not been established using large manufacturing firms. This study was motivated by the desire to fill this gap in knowledge. The study examined mediating role of learning organization in the relationship between knowledge management and non-financial measure...
Abstract Kenyan tea though acclaimed globally as a high quality product available all year round continues to face growing competition both regionally and globally. This has resulted to a decline in its market share in the global market. The main objective of the study was to examine the influence of strategic market development practices on competiveness of Kenyan Tea in the global market. The study used cross-sectional survey design to collect both qualitative and quantitative data from th...
Abstract Despite the increasing consumer demand for indigenous eggs, particularly among the urban rich in Kenya, empirical analysis of spatial market integration has received limited attention. This study is an attempt to analyze the existence of market integration and price transmission among four selected indigenous egg markets. The study uses secondary data obtained on prices of eggs on a weekly basis during the year 2014. Analysis of Cointegration and Granger causality was attained using...
Abstract Investment on agriculture by countries is essential because it is core to every nation’s development. In Kenya, people particularly youth are involved in agriculture yet it attracts limited investment. This study which was aimed at highlighting age, gender participation and the role of literacy in small scale farming among the trained youth in Kiambu County, Kenya. This was mixed methods descriptive and cross sectional study that also employed triangulation to enhance confidence i...
Abstract The objective of the study was to determine the influence of earnings management on the financal performance of agricultural firms listed in Nairobi Securities Exchange. A descriptive survey research design was applied. A Census of all the 6 companies listed inNairobi Securities Exchange as at July 2014 to July 2019 constituted the study population. The study employed secondary data extracted from audited financial statements and individual companies annual report for the five year ...
Abstract/Overview Developing countries are facing major challenges today with regard to food security because of changes in land use, coupled with population pressure and adverse weather conditions. Kenya government has responded to this by ensuring that farmers are given relevant information on farming through various sources such as availing information from research institutions, formal training, agricultural extension service agents, and media services through television and radio and...
Abstract/Overview This paper highlights the narrative of Africa rising. It indicates that indeed Africa as well as Agriculture are rising. Since 2000, Sub-Saharan Gross Domestic Product has been growing at an average rate of 5% per annum. Agriculture has been growing at an average rate of 3.5% p.a, well above the 2.7% population growth. Evidence shows that this Economic and Agricultural growth have lead to improvements in the lives of the African people. Real income per person has increas...
Abstract/Overview The objective of the study was to establish socio-economic status of selected farm forestry groups and networks currently undertaking farm forestry (FF)and the prospects of farm-level forestry enterprises in improving and sustaining the rural livelihoods in Mbeere and Tharaka, Sub-counties and Kitui County in Kenya. Methodology: Using interviews with 466 randomly selected farmers, farm forestry groups. (FFG) and farm forestry networks (FFN), assessment of the current far...
Abstract/Overview Supply of agricultural produce is directly influenced by production and productivity. Therefore, factors that affect agricultural production also affect supply. This study analyses the determinants of pineapple market supply in Bureti Sub County, Kericho County, Kenya. Multi stage sampling was used to select 133 farmers for the study using structured interview schedules. This was supplemented by secondary data collected using content analysis from different published and...
Abstract/Overview Maize (Zea mays L.) is a crop of livelihood, nutritional, economic, and political importance in Kenya. Its productivity growth is estimated at 2% annually, with average yields of 2 tons/ha against a potential 6 tons/ha. Annual production lags behind demand. This study was conducted in a typically rural location of Nandi County in Kenya to investigate smallholder farmers’ social capital, sources of finances, information, and their implications on maize yields. Data from...