Browsing by Author "Gikunda, R. M."

Now showing 1 - 6 of 6

The Effect of Sleep Quantity on Performance of Students in Public Universities, Kenya
(2014-06) Gikunda, R. M.; Abura, G. O.; Kiriungi, L.; Muchiri, J. M.
The purpose of this study was to examine the subject in public universities. A total of 100 undergraduate students were involved in the study. The study used survey research design. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from the respondents. Data was analyzed with the help of Statistical Packages for Social Sciences. Descriptive statistics specifically frequencies and percentages, and inferential statistics particularly Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation were applied in data analysis. The study achieved a response rate of 92%. The results indicated that majority (54%) had a cumulative average of a B. The study also revealed a positive correlation between sleep quantity and academic performance with a coefficient of 0. 326 (at 0.01 significance level). The study concluded that lack of adequate sleep negatively affects the performance of students in public universities in Kenya. The main cause of insufficient sleep among university students was stress which resulted from family problems, inadequate pocket money and broken relationships. Therefore, public university students need to evaluate their experience of stress, learn and use effective stress management strategies to deal adequately with it.
Extension Education Needs for Improved Adoption of Sustainable Organic Agriculture in Central Kenya
(Scientific & Academic Publishing, 2021) Gikunda, R. M.; Guo, W.; Boren-Alpizar, A. E.; Baker, M.; Lawver, D. E.
The study highlights organic agriculture (OA) information gaps that need to be filled in order to upscale the adoption of OA practices. The survey data were gathered from 329 organic farmers selected through stratified random sampling from Central Kenya. An independent t-test, bivariate Moran’s I, and linear multiple regression were used to examine the differences in information access among organic farmers and relate OA advice to its sustainability. Information gaps exist in aspects of soil, water, weed, pest, and disease management. Certified organic farmers significantly differed from non-certified on access to OA advice, t (139.93) = -3.69, p < .05. Extension advice (Moran’s I = .02, p = .01) and sustainability of OA (Moran’s I = .04, p = .01) were slightly clustered. OA advice dimensions significantly accounted for 6% of the variance on the sustainability of OA, F (3, 319) = 6.14, p < .05, R2 = .06. Improved access to information relating to field management practices; soil, water, weed, pest, and disease management is crucial for sustainable organic crop production. Social networks should be strengthened to enhance information sharing among extension actors in the organic industry. The study adds to the knowledge of the spatial patterns of OA advice and the significance of extension advice on the sustainability of OA. This study illuminates the current knowledge gaps that exist among organic farmers, thus providing a basis upon which extension advice can be repackaged to meet the needs of the farmers.
FERTILIZER MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND PROFITABILITY OF POTATO CROP AMONG SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN BUURI
(Chuka University, 2022) Kiroria, P. K.; Oloo-Abucheli, G. O.; Gikunda, R. M.; Okode, M. O.
In Kenya, average production of potatoes has stagnated around 2.9 million tons per year in the past 5 years. While seed potato and total land area under cultivation has risen by 4% and 12.3%, respectively; marginal production have gradually declined by 9%. This decline in production could be attributed to farm management practices, specifically fertilizer management. This study analysed how fertilizer management practices influence potato profitability among small-holding farmers. The specific objectives were to determine: adoption and application of fertilizer management practices, profitability of a potato crop farming and association between fertilizer management and profitability of potato crop enterprise in Buuri Sub-county. The study was anchored on the Allocation Theory and employed a cross-sectional correlational research design, a sample size of 377 respondents drawn from target population of 26,604 households. Questionnaire was used to obtain primary data and analysed using descriptive and inferential analysis tools. The result revealed farmers use fertilizer at planting and growth stages while not at tube formation; DAP fertilizer is used at planting, DAP & NPK at growth stage and CAN fertilizer at tube formation stage. Results on traditional methods of rate of application revealed that: farmers use table spoon full at planting, one handful at vegetation and tube formation stage, while for modern measures were 10 grams at planting and 10-20 grams at vegetation & 10 grams at tube formation stages. Result for placement shows farmers apply fertilizer in potato seed hole before placement of seed and four weeks after planting during vegetation. Correlation result shows weak correlation for right type of fertilizer (r=0.041), strong for right time (of r=0.647), very strong for right rate (r=0.913) and right placement (r=0.882). Fertilizer management contributes 98.7% variation in the profitability of potato crop, with a partial effect of right type at 0.024, right time at 0.014, right rate at 0.581 and right placement at 0.504. Thus fertilizer management practices significantly influence profitability of potato crop.
Influence of Agriculture Advisory Services on Adoption of Sorghum Production Practices among Smallholder Farmers in Tharaka South Sub-County, Kenya
(Asian Journal of Agricultural Extension, Economics & Sociology, 2022) Nyanchoka, R. O.; Muchiri, J. M.; Omukoko, C. A.; Gikunda, R. M.; Mbaka, F. K.
The development and dissemination of agricultural advisory services (AAS) amongst smallholder sorghum farmers (SHFs) has played a crucial role in sorghum yield improvement in Kenya. However, there is limited information on the influence of AAS on adoption of sorghum production practices amongst SHFs in Tharaka Nithi County particularly Tharaka South Sub-County. The purpose of the study was to generate information that would deepen the understanding of the influence of AAS in enhancing the adoption of sorghum production practices in Tharaka South Sub- County. A descriptive research design was used to describe the characteristics of the study sample. The study targeted 16,437 smallholder sorghum farmers with a sample size of 108 participants. Stratified proportionate random sampling technique was utilized to select farmers from three strata; Marimanti, Nkondi, and Chiakariga wards. A questionnaire was used for data collection. Piloting study was carried out in South Imenti Ward, Meru County which helped to check and advance the validity of research instrument. The reliability of the research instrument was estimated by computing Cronbach’s alpha coefficients of the variables. The Cronbach’s alpha values for the study were: adoption of sorghum production practices (α = 0.771), while that of AAS was 0.710. The SPSS (V.22) was utilized for computing both the inferential (independent samples t-test) and descriptive (percentage, median, frequency, mean and standard deviation) statistics. The study findings indicated that there was no significant difference in the access and adoption of sorghum production practices between farmers with access to AAS from those who did not t (106) = 0.843, p = 0.401, d = 0.1684 and t (106) = 0.203, p = 0.839, d = 0.041, at 95% confidence interval, respectively. It was concluded that AAS had no influence on the adoption of sorghum production practices amongst SHFs in Tharaka Sub-County. Therefore, the study recommends the government through the State and County departments of agriculture should support impactful agricultural advisory programs that target sorghum farmers to increase the productivity of the crop.
Influence of Land Tenure and Farmer Income on Adoption of Indigenous Agricultural Practices in Chuka Sub-County, Kenya
(2021) Gikunda, R. M.
Indigenous agricultural practices (IAPs) are environmentally and agriculturally sustainable. Among the widely applied IAPs include crop rotation, agroforestry, intercropping, organic manure application, and minimum tillage. A lot of research has been conducted to reveal the determinants of adoption levels of modern technologies among smallholder farmers. However, little literature exists on factors that contribute to improved adoption of IAPs in Kenya. The research was aimed at determining the influence of land tenure and level of farm income on the adoption levels of IAPs in Chuka Sub-County. A descriptive correlational design was utilized to guide data collection and analysis. The study targeted a population of 22,400 smallholder farmers involving a sample of 100 participants selected through stratified sampling from Mugwe, Karingani, and Magumoni Wards. A semi-structured questionnaire was utilized as a data collection tool. A pilot study was conducted in Muthambi Ward to aid in the checking and improvement of validity of the research instrument. Hypothesis testing involved use of ANOVA and t- tests. The results indicated that land tenure had a significant large effect on the adoption of IAPs, F (2, 97) = 6.59, p = 0.002, ω2 = 0.10. Farm income had a significantly moderate effect on the adoption of IAPs t (97.00) = 4.57, p < .05. The adoption level of IAPs was still moderate given the low frequency of application by many smallholder farmers. The County Government and Ministry of Agriculture should give sufficient support to farmers, strengthen land tenure systems, and sensitize farmers on the importance of IAPs so as to increase the adoption.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ADVISORY SERVICES AND ADOPTION OF AGRICULTURAL INDIGENOUS PRACTICES IN CHUKA SUB-COUNTY, KENYA
(Chuka University, 2021) Ooga, D. M.; Mugambi, J. M.; Munyiri, S. W.; Gikunda, R. M.
Adoption of agricultural indigenous practices (AIPs) holds the promise for agricultural and environmental sustainability. However, the adoption rate has been low among smallholder farmers for decades. Level of advisory services (ASs) accessibility has been documented as one of the key drivers of adoption. However, little information exists to show the relationship between access to ASs and adoption of AIPs in Chuka sub-County. Therefore, the objective of the studyintended to generate factual information regarding the relationship between access to ASs and AIPs adoption among smallholder farmers in the said sub-County. Data was collected from 100 farmers through stratified sampling. Percentages, mean, frequencies, standard deviation, and simple Pearsoncorrelationwere used to analyze data at p<0.05. Results of Pearson correlation indicated a significant positive relationship between access to ASs and adoption of AIPs (r = 0.51, p = 0.01). Conversely, ASs were rated as inaccessible. Further, the study revealed that radio was the most widely used source of information. It was concluded that access to ASs influenced adoption of AIPs among farmers since the relationship was significant. It was therefore, recommended that County government should formulate policies and incentives to enhance access to agricultural ASs towards the adoption of AIPsforagriculturalandenvironmentalsustainability.Countygovernmentshouldalsostepupsupportforextension education and trainings for effective adoption of AIPs among farmers.