ABSTRACT This paper presents a review on the literature of tobacco farming on the observed research on the impact of tobacco farming on the livelihoods of smallholder farmers as well its impact on poverty alleviation. In this study I drew on the existing academic structure on tobacco farming in Zimbabwe. An examination of the factors that led farmers in partaking tobacco farming was carried out on 86smallholder farmers. The case was in Centenary District. This study was therefore initiated wi...
ABSTRACT This study on the impacts of climate change on farming activities was conducted in Dandume Local Government Area of Kastina State. To capture data on the impact of climate change on farming activities based on the perceptions of the farmers, 150 questionnaires were administered and retrieved. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (percentage, bar chart, etc.). About 57.33% of the respondents percept that, there was increase in rainfall while 20% of the respondents belie...
Abstract The prevalence of contract farming in the cotton industry of Zimbabwe implies that it has become the dominant marketing system. Even the independently produced cotton is eventually sold to the contracting cotton companies owing to enacted regulations which compel all prospective cotton buyers to finance production through contract farming to be licensed to purchase seed cotton from farmers. However, the prevailing seed cotton marketing system is riddled with challenges characterise...
ABSTRACT In 2010, the Economic Stimulus Program (ESP) was initiated by the Government of Kenya with the aim of encouraging aquaculture in Kenya. Kitui Central Sub- County benefited with 200 fish ponds under ESP. However, their status is not known in terms of production, challenges and the contribution of fish farming to household wellbeing. To address this, a sample of sixty (60) fish farmers were used from the targeted 200 fish farmers who benefited from the Government’s support. The prima...
ABSTRACT In 2010, the Economic Stimulus Program (ESP) was initiated by the Government of Kenya with the aim of encouraging aquaculture in Kenya. Kitui Central Sub- County benefited with 200 fish ponds under ESP. However, their status is not known in terms of production, challenges and the contribution of fish farming to household wellbeing. To address this, a sample of sixty (60) fish farmers were used from the targeted 200 fish farmers who benefited from the Government’s support. The prima...
ABSTRACT The study set out to investigate mobile consumption patterns in Triangle, Tongaat Hulett Estates. It sought to unravel the trends in mobile phone use amongst this community and the gratifications they derive from it. The study was informed by the uses and gratifications theory and the digital divide concept. Data was obtained through qualitative interviews and participant observation. Thematic analysis was deployed to analyse the data obtained from findings. The study found that peo...
ABSTRACT Human activities (including agriculture) contribute to enhance release of primary greenhouse gases (GHGs) (CH4, CO2, N2O) into the atmosphere leading to global warming. Sugarcane is an important economic crop in Kenya being third highest contributor to gross domestic product (GDP) after tea and coffee. About 90% of Kenya‘s production is contributed by smallholders. To improve/maximize sugarcane yields, farmers convert natural vegetation to sugarcane farms; apply nitrogen fertilizer...
ABSTRACT Food production issues have dominated Kenyan Government development planning agenda for decades. Low food production have been experienced especially in areas where cash crops such as sugarcane are grown as it competes for rich agricultural land with food crops. Despite income from sugarcane, some households in Dede Division are still experiencing food shortages. This study assessed the effects of sugarcane farming on food production in Dede Division, Migori County. The specific obje...
ABSTRACT Greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions data from large-scale agricultural activities are available. In developing countries, e.g. Kenya, agriculture is dominated by smallholder farming, data on the assessment of possible contributions of smallholder agriculture to GHG emissions and GHG fluxes data from smallholder farming systems in the tropics is scarce. The study area is a 10 square km area also called the ―Lower Nyando Block‖ in Western Kenya. The basin varies in landscapes (low la...
ABSTRACT Varying climatic conditions with increased uncertainty mainly in rainfall and temperature are salient features in marginal areas globally, adversely affecting farming activities particularly in Africa. Kenya experiences variations of annual rainfall with considerable uncertainty. These variations ranging from below 500mm to above 2000mm annually, cause droughts and floods respectively, affecting farming activities and yields. This study focused on Machakos sub County, a semi arid are...
ABSTRACT Horticultural farming has been identified as the key to eradicating poverty and addressing food insecurity in many African countries including Kenya. However, its growth has not been as envisaged despite favorable climatic conditions, targeted policy and program implementations through several innovations. Uptake of horticultural farming by small-scale farmers supplying the domestic market continues to lag behind despite several interventions to improve production. Studies have focus...
ABSTRACT The influence of soil fertility management technologies on crop production has widely been researched in Tharaka-Nithi County. However, data on their contribution towards national greenhouse gas budget is scanty. This study aimed at characterising smallholder farming systems and simulating greenhouse gas emissions, maize yields, yield scaled nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions and N2O emission factors from different soil fertility management technologies in Tharaka-Nithi County. Three hund...
ABSTRACT Microbial diversity and function in agro-ecosystems is influenced by various aspects linked to soil and agronomic practices for example, tillage, irrigation, crop rotation and application of organic and inorganic inputs. Farming systems practices may affect the dynamic interactions existing between soil, plant and microorganisms in different agricultural biomes. Due to limitations associated with conventional microbial cultivation strategies, only a fractional number of cultivable sp...
Abstract – The aim of this paper is to examine the perceptions of small-scale irrigation farmers (SSIFs) with regard to climate change and their adaptation strategies in terms of its effects. This study forms part of a broader regional project, namely the Southern Agricultural Africa Inter-Comparison and Improvement Project (SAAMIIP) on integrated regional climate assessment. In analysing the SSIF farm situation, meta-analysis was the selected methodological application. Farm-level data wa...
ABSTRACT This paper presents a review on the literature of tobacco farming on the observed research on the impact of tobacco farming on the livelihoods of smallholder farmers as well its impact on land. In this study I drew on the existing academic structure on tobacco farming in Zimbabwe. An examination of the determinants of farmer partaking in tobacco farming was carried out on 30 smallholder farmers. The case was Mount Bokoto ward24 in Murewa District. This study was therefore initiated ...