Browsing by Author "Wambugu, Stephen K."

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Constraints to profitable Participation in Agri-Food Value Chains: A Case of Small-Scale Banana Farmers in Meru County,Kenya
(2018) Mbuthia, • Susan W.; Kayi, Calvine; Wambugu, Stephen K.
Constraints in agri-food value chains tend to heighten the vulnerability of small-scale farmers in Sub-Sahara Africa. This study evaluates the constraints limiting small-scale banana farmers in Meru County, Kenya, from profitably participation in the crop’s value chain, producers’ efforts in- and suggestions to- overcoming them. Results of this study reveal that banana farmers face several interdependent constraints such as inadequate know-how on banana management, high cost plantlets, and pests and diseases that amplify one another but efforts to overcome them have been partial. It is therefore, necessary to have several measures implemented concurrently to address the constraints. Thus, future interventions should have concerted efforts from governments and non-government organizations.
DETERMINANTS OF SPATIAL VARIATION AND ADOPTION OF DAIRY GOAT FARMING INNYERI COUNTY, KENYA
(Chuka University, 2022) Mureithi, Stephen Wachira; Wambugu, Stephen K.; Huho, Julius M.
The study examined the spatial variations and factors influencing the adoption of dairy goat farming in Nyeri. The study adopted a descriptive household survey design. Three-stage systematic sampling technique was applied to select a representative sample of 215 households from a population of 248,050. Both primary and secondary data were used in the study. Secondary data was collected through a thorough review of available literature while primary data was collected through face to face interviews using a structured questionnaire. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square test. The results of the study showed that there existed spatial differences in adoption of dairy goat farming in Nyeri County. Chi-square test revealed that traditional goat farming experience, gender, household head age, agro-ecological zone, education, farmers’ group membership and access to extension services had significant impact on farmers’ dairy goat farming adoption decision in the study area. The study therefore recommends enhancement of dairy goat adoption through improving farmers’ access to extension services. More extension service providers should be trained and deployed to farm level. This will facilitate provision of timely and quality agricultural information on dairy goat farming. Policies geared towards empowering women also need to be promoted in order to increase their ability to engage in profitable dairy goat farming enterprises. In this regard, their access to financial resources and land should be improved. Farmers’ associations should also be strengthened so as to better play their role of offering technological, financial and informational support to farmers. The Ministry should collaborate with financial institutions to make credit accessible to farmers. Financial institutions should craft loan products tailored for smallholder farmers to assist overcome financial constraints.
Relationship Among Type of School, Academic Resilience and Academic Achievement Among Secondary School Students in Kiambu County, in PEOPLE
(2018-01-29) Mwangi, Cecilia Nyambura; Mwaniki, Elizabeth W.; Wambugu, Stephen K.
This study investigated the relationship among type of school, academic resilience and academic achievement among secondary school students in Kiambu County, Kenya. A descriptive Correlational design was used. A randomly selected sample of 390 students in the third year of secondary education was involved. The participants were drawn from four categories of Secondary schools: Boys boarding, girls boarding, coeducational boarding and coeducational day. Data were collected using a demographic form and the California Healthy Kids Survey (CHKS) resilience scale. A significant mean difference (F (3,386) = 9.39, p < .05) was reported in the academic resilience scores when type of school was considered. The difference was in favour of girls’ boarding schools. The mean academic resilience and achievement for boys’ boarding was found to be significantly lower than that of girls’ boarding, boys’ day, and mixed day secondary schools. It was recommended that educational stakeholders should shift from considering type of school as being peripheral to academic outcomes and instead regard it as a key contributor to the educational outcomes of secondary school students.
The Spatio-Temporal Distribution of Periodic Banana Markets in Meru County, Kenya
(2018-02) Mbuthia, 1,*Susan W.; Wambugu, Stephen K.; Kayi, 1Calvine
The spatio-temporal distribution of markets can influence the farmer’s choice of a market channel. Assessing the effects of the spatio-temporal distribution of banana markets on the farmer’s choice of a marketing channel is important in providing information that may guide rural planners and developers. This study examined the pattern of distribution of banana markets in space and time, and its effects on farmers’ choice of market channel in Meru County, Kenya. The authors obtained data from field observations, measurements and questionnaires administered to 384 banana farmers. We analysed the data through Pearson correlation coefficient, nearest neighbour statistic and analysis of variance. The results revealed that banana markets are not: uniformly distributed, Rn = 0.31, p < .0001; synchronised, r = -0.530, p = .076; and distances between farms and markets significantly varied from location to location, F = 12.007, p < .000. The paper concludes that the periodic banana markets in Meru County are not spatially organised to adequately serve farmers with 47.4 % resorting to farm-gate selling. The study recommends that rural planners and developers reorganise the markets such that as spatial distance increase, the time distance decreases. This would ensure synchronisation and promote service delivery to farmers.
Technology use, Gender and the Role of Non-Farm Income in Agricultural Investment:An Empirical Analysis of Two Counties in Kenya
(Oxford, 2018) Wambugu, Stephen K.; Karugia, Joseph T.; Oluoch-Kosura, Willis
This chapter examines maize productivity, technology use in maize, and the impact of non-farm income (NFI) on agricultural investment in Kenya, giving them a gender dimension. The study first concludes that there are no significant differences in maize yields between male-managed farms and female-managed farms (FMFs) in the study areas, Nyeri and Kakamega. Second, technology use for maize production was lower and significant in some instances for FMFs. Significant differences, especially in the use of hybrid seeds and tractor ploughs, were noted. A third conclusion is that NFI is not used in farm investment. NFI had negative coefficients on adoption and intensity of agricultural input use. Policies that encourage both farm and non-farm income should be instituted given the complementary roles that they play. Any entry barriers for disadvantaged households, especially for the FMFs, to participate in higher-paying non-farm activities need to be overcome.