Journal of Agribusiness and Rural Development, 2021
Goat farming is a major livelihood activity for most smallholder farmers in Botswana. To ensure s... more Goat farming is a major livelihood activity for most smallholder farmers in Botswana. To ensure sustainable livelihoods for these farmers, a shift from the prevalent traditional and subsistence system to a more market-oriented one is considered necessary. Market participation is widely viewed as an effective means of addressing poverty which is particularly rampant in most rural areas of Botswana and other developing countries. Little evidence is however available on the link between market participation and household welfare, especially among livestock and, in particular, small stock farmers. This paper evaluates the effect of market participation on household welfare among smallholder goat farmers. Estimating an endogenous switching regression model, the results show a positive and significant effect of market participation on household income for both participant and non-participant farmers. This effect was found to be more pronounced among the non-participants had they decided t...
The study evaluated allocative efficiency levels of common bean farms in Eastern Uganda and the f... more The study evaluated allocative efficiency levels of common bean farms in Eastern Uganda and the factors influencing allocative efficiencies of these farms. To achieve this objective, a sample of 480 households was randomly selected in Busia, Mbale, Budaka and Tororo districts in Eastern Uganda. Data was collected using a personally administered structured questionnaire with a focus on household decision makers; whereas a stochastic frontier model and a twolimit Tobit regression model were employed in the analysis. It was established that the mean allocative efficiency was 29.37% and it was significantly influenced by farm size, off-farm income, asset value and distance to the market. Therefore the study suggested the need for policies to discourage land fragmentation and promote road and market infrastructure development in the rural areas. The study also revealed the need for farmers to be trained on entrepreneurial skills so that they can invest their farm profits into more income...
Journal of economics and sustainable development, 2013
Bean has emerged to be an important cash crop as well as a staple food in Uganda; however, the co... more Bean has emerged to be an important cash crop as well as a staple food in Uganda; however, the country’s bean productivity per unit area cultivated has been on the decline for the past ten years. This study estimated the economic efficiency levels and assessed the factors influencing economic efficiency among bean farmers in Eastern Uganda, by applying a stochastic frontier cost function and a two-limit Tobit regression model, based on a random sample of 580 households. Findings revealed that the mean economic efficiency level was 59.94% and it was positively influenced by value of assets, off-farm income, credit and farmers’ primary occupation. Based on the findings from this study, there is need for government and stakeholders to train farmers on entrepreneurial skills so that they can divest their farm profits into more income generating activities which would harness more farming capital. Finally, there is a need for initiatives geared towards enhancing farmers’ access to adequa...
This study examines Kenya’s demand for selected roots and tubers (R&Ts). Data used for th... more This study examines Kenya’s demand for selected roots and tubers (R&Ts). Data used for the analysis were collected from Nakuru Town East Sub- County. A sample unit of 385 urban households was interviewed at the market outlet immediately after purchasing R&Ts. Linear Approximated Almost Ideal Demand System (LA/AIDS) model was used to estimate demand elasticities, demographics and social-economic factors influencing the consumption patterns of R&Ts. Age, education, household size, and proportion of household members statistically and significantly explained the variations in R&Ts consumption patterns. Empirical results showed negative own-price elasticities for uncompensated and compensated demand analyses, therefore in line with utility theory. Cross-price elasticities had positive and negative signs, indicating the presence of substitutes and complements respectively among R&Ts. Expenditure (income) elasticities for R&Ts had mixed signs ranging from elastic to inelastic. Irish potato and sweet potato were inelastic with a positive sign classifying them as necessities goods. Cassava and yam were inelastic with a negative sign indicating they were inferior goods, while arrowroot was positive and elastic, therefore a luxury good. These results are broadly consistent with microeconomic theory; consequently, they could inform the formulation of effective policies and strategies that promote R&Ts consumption thereby contributing to food and nutritional security among households.
Applied Studies in Agribusiness and Commerce, 2022
Small-urban farm businesses utilise agro-food waste emanating from own production and other level... more Small-urban farm businesses utilise agro-food waste emanating from own production and other levels of food supply chain activities to supplement conventional inputs. Out of these, the food produce surplus from agro-producer households is offloaded to the urban market. As such, the aim of the study was to assess the determinants of agro-food waste commercial utilisation behaviour among urban agro-producer households. An electronically-designed research tool was administered to 456 agro-producer households to collect self-reported estimates of their agro-food waste utilisation behaviour. Results indicated higher budget share towards conventional inputs (0.73) compared to agro-food waste (0.27) but the observed suboptimal production intensification could be rectified with increased use of agro-food waste. Structural equation modelling results indicated that attitude, environmental awareness and concern, motivation and perceived moral obligation had positive significant influence on com...
African indigenous vegetables (AIVs) are consumed across the African continent and in Kenya parti... more African indigenous vegetables (AIVs) are consumed across the African continent and in Kenya particularly, they are consumed daily along with the main staple meal, ugali. These vegetables have high micronutrient content, medicinal properties as well as the potential to ensure food and nutritional security. Their demand is rapidly growing due to their availability in supermarkets and groceries, change in dietary habits, urbanisation and increased awareness of their nutritional and medicinal benefits, especially among urban consumers. Despite this, AIV consumption in Kenya is generally low and therefore, there is limited literature that explain their consumption patterns. The main objective of this study is to provide empirical evidence on the changes in demand and consumption patterns for AIVs among rural and urban households in Kenya. This is achieved through analysis of consumers’ socio-demographic variables as well as estimating own-price, crossprice and expenditure elasticities of...
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Whereas management of waste in urban areas across the globe is essenti... more BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Whereas management of waste in urban areas across the globe is essentially a public service, there is dearth of knowledge on waste management efforts at the household level in developing countries. The study aimed to avail crucial information on the largely informal management of agro-food waste that is practiced in low- and lower middle-income countries. Insights of safety measures adopted in the utilization of agro-food wasteamong urban agro-producers were explored empirically.METHODOLOGY: An electronically-structured questionnaire was administered on a sample of 456 urban agro-producer households for data collection.Descriptive as well asMultivariate Probit models were employed for analysis.FINDINGS: The results indicated significant disparities in management options and safety risk management practices between the participating and non-participating livestock and mixed producers. Waste reduction (86%), utilization (86%), segregation (63%) and compostin...
Journal of Agribusiness and Rural Development, 2021
Goat farming is a major livelihood activity for most smallholder farmers in Botswana. To ensure s... more Goat farming is a major livelihood activity for most smallholder farmers in Botswana. To ensure sustainable livelihoods for these farmers, a shift from the prevalent traditional and subsistence system to a more market-oriented one is considered necessary. Market participation is widely viewed as an effective means of addressing poverty which is particularly rampant in most rural areas of Botswana and other developing countries. Little evidence is however available on the link between market participation and household welfare, especially among livestock and, in particular, small stock farmers. This paper evaluates the effect of market participation on household welfare among smallholder goat farmers. Estimating an endogenous switching regression model, the results show a positive and significant effect of market participation on household income for both participant and non-participant farmers. This effect was found to be more pronounced among the non-participants had they decided t...
The study evaluated allocative efficiency levels of common bean farms in Eastern Uganda and the f... more The study evaluated allocative efficiency levels of common bean farms in Eastern Uganda and the factors influencing allocative efficiencies of these farms. To achieve this objective, a sample of 480 households was randomly selected in Busia, Mbale, Budaka and Tororo districts in Eastern Uganda. Data was collected using a personally administered structured questionnaire with a focus on household decision makers; whereas a stochastic frontier model and a twolimit Tobit regression model were employed in the analysis. It was established that the mean allocative efficiency was 29.37% and it was significantly influenced by farm size, off-farm income, asset value and distance to the market. Therefore the study suggested the need for policies to discourage land fragmentation and promote road and market infrastructure development in the rural areas. The study also revealed the need for farmers to be trained on entrepreneurial skills so that they can invest their farm profits into more income...
Journal of economics and sustainable development, 2013
Bean has emerged to be an important cash crop as well as a staple food in Uganda; however, the co... more Bean has emerged to be an important cash crop as well as a staple food in Uganda; however, the country’s bean productivity per unit area cultivated has been on the decline for the past ten years. This study estimated the economic efficiency levels and assessed the factors influencing economic efficiency among bean farmers in Eastern Uganda, by applying a stochastic frontier cost function and a two-limit Tobit regression model, based on a random sample of 580 households. Findings revealed that the mean economic efficiency level was 59.94% and it was positively influenced by value of assets, off-farm income, credit and farmers’ primary occupation. Based on the findings from this study, there is need for government and stakeholders to train farmers on entrepreneurial skills so that they can divest their farm profits into more income generating activities which would harness more farming capital. Finally, there is a need for initiatives geared towards enhancing farmers’ access to adequa...
This study examines Kenya’s demand for selected roots and tubers (R&Ts). Data used for th... more This study examines Kenya’s demand for selected roots and tubers (R&Ts). Data used for the analysis were collected from Nakuru Town East Sub- County. A sample unit of 385 urban households was interviewed at the market outlet immediately after purchasing R&Ts. Linear Approximated Almost Ideal Demand System (LA/AIDS) model was used to estimate demand elasticities, demographics and social-economic factors influencing the consumption patterns of R&Ts. Age, education, household size, and proportion of household members statistically and significantly explained the variations in R&Ts consumption patterns. Empirical results showed negative own-price elasticities for uncompensated and compensated demand analyses, therefore in line with utility theory. Cross-price elasticities had positive and negative signs, indicating the presence of substitutes and complements respectively among R&Ts. Expenditure (income) elasticities for R&Ts had mixed signs ranging from elastic to inelastic. Irish potato and sweet potato were inelastic with a positive sign classifying them as necessities goods. Cassava and yam were inelastic with a negative sign indicating they were inferior goods, while arrowroot was positive and elastic, therefore a luxury good. These results are broadly consistent with microeconomic theory; consequently, they could inform the formulation of effective policies and strategies that promote R&Ts consumption thereby contributing to food and nutritional security among households.
Applied Studies in Agribusiness and Commerce, 2022
Small-urban farm businesses utilise agro-food waste emanating from own production and other level... more Small-urban farm businesses utilise agro-food waste emanating from own production and other levels of food supply chain activities to supplement conventional inputs. Out of these, the food produce surplus from agro-producer households is offloaded to the urban market. As such, the aim of the study was to assess the determinants of agro-food waste commercial utilisation behaviour among urban agro-producer households. An electronically-designed research tool was administered to 456 agro-producer households to collect self-reported estimates of their agro-food waste utilisation behaviour. Results indicated higher budget share towards conventional inputs (0.73) compared to agro-food waste (0.27) but the observed suboptimal production intensification could be rectified with increased use of agro-food waste. Structural equation modelling results indicated that attitude, environmental awareness and concern, motivation and perceived moral obligation had positive significant influence on com...
African indigenous vegetables (AIVs) are consumed across the African continent and in Kenya parti... more African indigenous vegetables (AIVs) are consumed across the African continent and in Kenya particularly, they are consumed daily along with the main staple meal, ugali. These vegetables have high micronutrient content, medicinal properties as well as the potential to ensure food and nutritional security. Their demand is rapidly growing due to their availability in supermarkets and groceries, change in dietary habits, urbanisation and increased awareness of their nutritional and medicinal benefits, especially among urban consumers. Despite this, AIV consumption in Kenya is generally low and therefore, there is limited literature that explain their consumption patterns. The main objective of this study is to provide empirical evidence on the changes in demand and consumption patterns for AIVs among rural and urban households in Kenya. This is achieved through analysis of consumers’ socio-demographic variables as well as estimating own-price, crossprice and expenditure elasticities of...
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Whereas management of waste in urban areas across the globe is essenti... more BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Whereas management of waste in urban areas across the globe is essentially a public service, there is dearth of knowledge on waste management efforts at the household level in developing countries. The study aimed to avail crucial information on the largely informal management of agro-food waste that is practiced in low- and lower middle-income countries. Insights of safety measures adopted in the utilization of agro-food wasteamong urban agro-producers were explored empirically.METHODOLOGY: An electronically-structured questionnaire was administered on a sample of 456 urban agro-producer households for data collection.Descriptive as well asMultivariate Probit models were employed for analysis.FINDINGS: The results indicated significant disparities in management options and safety risk management practices between the participating and non-participating livestock and mixed producers. Waste reduction (86%), utilization (86%), segregation (63%) and compostin...
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