Browsing by Author "J. D. Orwa"

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Banana Value Chain Factors and Marketing Channels: A Case Study of Meru, Embu and Tharaka-Nithi Counties in Kenya
(Asian Research Journal of Agriculture, 2025-02-24) Nyariki a, E; Koech a, J; K. Kiramana; D. K. Isutsa; G. O. Abucheli; J. Mwove; F. G. Irungu; J. D. Orwa; J. W. Njoki
Banana is a tropical crop grown in most developing countries, where it is commercialized by smallholder farmers. Banana is a major source of income, improved food security and possess great potential for value addition and export. Kenya is the largest producer of banana in East Africa, where it is a major source of food and income for smallholders. However, despite all these benefits, little is reported about its value chain factors and marketing channels in Kenya. Apparently, there are many restricting constraints in terms of banana supply and marketing management. Therefore, this study mapped socio-economic factors in the banana value chain and identified marketing channels in one banana-rich region, comprising Meru, Embu, and Tharaka-Nithi in Kenya. The study employed a cross-sectional survey design and multi-stage sampling of 384 respondents, comprising farmers, traders, and middlemen. A structured questionnaire was administered to respondents to collect primary data, which was subjected to descriptive and econometric analyses. The study found that majority of the farmers were small-scale, who used family labour (60%) and had limited access to credit and extension services. Middlemen were the dominant actors in marketing channels, compared to direct marketing. Farming experience and land allocated to banana were significant predictors with P=.030 and .040, respectively in Tharaka-Nithi, and P=.030 and .014, respectively in Embu. In Meru, land allocated to banana, type of labour, farming experience and education level were significant predictors with P=.012, .009, .059 and .080, respectively. Most farmers did not have a specific buyer of their bananas and hence were prone to exploitation by middlemen. Also few farmers got information on marketing channels. These findings provide insights into challenges faced by small-scale banana farmers in the region and recommends enactment of policies that support farmer access to credit, extension services, and direct marketing channels. Sustained sensitization of farmers on value chain requirements should instill the right marketing channel to adopt and consistently use.
Potential for Commercialisation of Value-Added Products: A Case Study of Banana Value Addition in Embu, Tharaka-Nithi and Meru Counties in Kenya
(Asian Journal of Agricultural Extension, Economics & Sociology, 2025-02-22) J. Mwove; J. D. Orwa; J. K. Kiramana; D. K. Isutsa; G. O. Abucheli; J. W. Njoki; F. G. Irungu; E. Koech; I. Nyariki; ; ;
Despite being Kenya's leading fruit crop, contributing 35.6% of total fruit production, the minimal value addition in bananas significantly limits their potential as a vital source of income for manygrowers. This study assessed the extent to which value addition is done for bananas in Kenya, as well as explored the potential for commercialization of banana-value-added products. It was done in Embu, Tharaka-Nithi, and Meru, which are banana-rich counties in Kenya. A structured questionnaire was administered to 509 respondents to collect data, which was subjected to χ2 and logistic regression analyses. Results revealed that majority (63.3% and 79.1%) of the farmers were female and over 40-years-old, respectively. A proportion of 27.1% had not completed primary education, 38.1% had completed primary education, and 24.2% had completed secondary education. The length of time spent on banana farming varied significantly by county (χ2 = 40.9, P<.001), with Tharaka-Nithi having the highest proportion (63.0%) with over 30 years. Similarly, contribution of bananas to household income differed significantly by county (χ2 = 48.6, P<.001), with 54.6% of Meru farmers reporting 76-100% contribution. The uptake of value addition was significantly (P<.001) low (2.4%). Value addition was only reported in Tharaka-Nithi (5.9%), where products included crisps (0.6%), flour (0.8%), ripened (0.8%), and roasted (0.4%) bananas. The dry products have long shelf-life, earn farmers more income than fresh produce, and are commercialisable through direct marketing, shops, supermarkets, and niche institutions. Age (P=.772), education level (P=.536), and gender (P=.335) did not significantly influence uptake of value addition. Nonetheless, males were 2.09 times more likely to add value, as compared to females. Farmers who had acquired secondary and tertiary education were 1.76 and 1.67 times more likely to add value, as compared to those who had no formal education. A significant association was found between counties and responses on whether processing facilities and quality control training were incentives for increased value addition (χ2 = 21.7, P=.006), with Embu showing the strongest agreement (77.6%). These results highlight the need for targeted interventions such as establishment of processing facilities, training on banana processing and quality control, addressing infrastructural challenges, and creating better market access, to promote value addition in the banana value chain.