Abstract: Disruptions in the food supply chains caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have destabilized the balance between production, supply, transport, distribution, and consumption. Consequently, these disruptions have affected food and nutritional security all over the world. This study proposes a framework for investigating the impact of COVID-19 on food supply chains, considering Eastern Africa as a focus region with Kenya and Rwanda as case studies. A systems thinking approach with three s...
Abstract: The existing literature acknowledges the benefits of beekeeping as a livelihood diversification strategy and income source for farmers across the world. However, the impact of beekeeping on income at household level has rarely been quantified. Furthermore, the few existing studies provide conflicting evidence and the methods quantifying the impact of participating in beekeeping are not rigorous. In this study, we identify key determinants of such participation and quantify the impa...
Abstract: Women’s underrepresentation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) impedes progress in solving Africa’s complex development problems. As in other regions, women’s participation in STEM drops progressively moving up the education and career ladder, with women currently constituting 30% of Africa’s STEM researchers. This study elucidates gender-based differences in PhD performance using new survey data from 227 alumni of STEM PhD programs in 17 African co...
This study presents the development and validation of the Difficult Person Scale (DDPS-35), a 35-item questionnaire designed to measure traits associated with difficult personalities among college students. The scale assesses seven dimensions: Grandiosity, Stubbornness, Rigidity, Impulsiveness, Defensiveness, Aggressiveness, and Callousness. A sample of 102 college students from diverse backgrounds participated in the study, with 87 males and 15 females. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) reve...
Colonialism is just another paradigm shift that changed the course of gender relations in many colonialised states within Africa. It introduced new and foreign leaderships styles that where gender baised, new family relations came in, (head of family) and the overall Victorian patriarchy which undermined the power and position women held in African societies before the emergency of this colonialism.
Abstract: Literature on health and diseases indicate that people perceive diseases variously. People develop their own views and beliefs about the causes, symptoms, modes of transmission and therapy choices, which then influence their health seeking behaviour. The main objective of this study was to explore health seeking behaviour in relation to malaria among the fishermen on Rusinga Island on Lake Victoria Kenya. This study which focused on the fishermen on Rusinga Island on Lake Victoria ...
Abstract: In Kenya, thrips inflict nearly 60-80% and 80% yield loss in French bean and tomato, respectively. Management of thrips in horticulture is currently based on application of pesticides. In addition to increased environmental risks associated with pesticides, frequent use of these chemicals substantially increase production costs and pesticide resistance. Further, exports are limited due to non-compliance to Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) in important consumer export countries especia...
Abstract: Beekeeping is an important activity that helps rural communities to raise additional income to improve their livelihoods. Often, among rural beekeeping households, it has been widely adopted as an income diversification strategy. In addition, it is a sustainable form of agriculture beneficial to the environment. An intervention conducted by the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), introduced modern hives such as the Langstroth and the stingless beehive thr...
Abstract: This study analyzes the cost benefit implication of maize storage techniques used by farmers and traders, and further identifies challenges in the uptake of new and improved technology and innovations. Using a case study area in Njoro sub-County from Kenya, we identified and evaluated the economic feasibility of the various technologies that farmers and traders used to store their maize against being attacked by insects and rodents. Analysis showed that most feasible storage innova...
Abstract: This thesis explores the economic burden of malaria incidence by controlling household practices regarding malaria prevention in Jabi-tehnan District. It uses household survey data collected by the Social Sciences and Impact Assessment Unit of the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology(icipe). This study aimed at assessing and examining factors contributing to malaria and the impact of the incidenceby using both descrptive statistics and econometrics aproach. In the ...
Abstract: Poultry production in Kenya is faced by a major hindrance of feed deficiency, especially protein source. This has resulted in less supply of poultry products which does not match the current growing consumer demand for poultry meat. The growing demand owes to consumer preferences switch from red meat to white meat, population growth and urbanization among other factors. Different protein sources used in poultry production in Kenya include fish fillets and soya which compete with hu...
Abstract: Mango (Mangifera indica) has been recognized as a fruit of economic and nutritional importance to Kenyan large and small scalefarmers. Production and marketing of this fruit is however, severely hampered by fruit fly infestation which causes enormous fruit losses and reduces access to export market due to quarantine restrictions imposed by importing countries.Control of this pest has been primarily dependent on chemical pesticide application, a strategy that has been shown to be in...
Abstract: The International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) has recently developed and disseminated an integrated pest management (IPM) strategy for suppression of mango fruit flies among mango growing communities in Africa. Although the economic benefits of the fruit fly IPM strategy on the primary target crop (mango) are clearly demonstrated, the potential gains of the strategy on non- mango fruits hosts of the invasive fruit fly species in the same farm within which the IP...
Abstract: Mango (Mangifera indica) is one of the leading tropical fruits grown in Kenya and is ranked third after banana and pineapples in terms of acreage and total production volume. However, production has fallen below consumption due in part to fruit fly (Bactrocera invadens) infestation. About 40 percent of annual mango production in Kenya estimated at US$ 32 million, is lost due to direct damage of fruit flies. In an effort to improve production, the International center for Insect Phy...
Abstract: This study analyzes the cost benefit implication of maize storage techniques used by farmers and traders, and further identifies challenges in the uptake of new and improved technology and innovations. Using a case study area in Njoro sub-County from Kenya, we identified and evaluated the economic feasibility of the various technologies that farmers and traders used to store their maize against being attacked by insects and rodents. Analysis showed that most feasible storage innova...