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Article
Publication date: 28 July 2023

Castro Gichuki, Maurice Osewe and S. Wagura Ndiritu

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of climate smart agriculture knowledge transfers. As well as to examine the application of climate-smart agricultural (CSA…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of climate smart agriculture knowledge transfers. As well as to examine the application of climate-smart agricultural (CSA) knowledge such as conservation agriculture, irrigation systems, integrated soil fertility management, bioenergy and agroforestry by smallholder farmers in Kenya.

Design/methodology/approach

The study applied comparative research methodology to compare climate smart agriculture knowledge application between smallholder participants in farmer field schools (FFS) and no FFS participation. This study used household data from 759 randomly selected rural agricultural households in three counties in Kenya. The study applied multivariate probit model to estimate CSA knowledge application by farmers who participated in field trainings and non-FFS participation farmers.

Findings

This study established that climate smart agriculture knowledge transfer through FFS increases farmers’ application of critical aspects of climate smart agriculture knowledge practices such as irrigation system, conservation agriculture and soil and water conservation. Such aspects have been noted as effective interventions against adverse climate change effects such as persistent droughts and flooding and soil infertility. Further findings illustrated that farmers who received CSA knowledge transfers applied agricultural insurance to mitigate rising climatic risks on their farms. Knowledge transfer interventions targeting affordability through subsidizing agricultural insurance are probable and more cost-effective measures that can be used to reduce smallholder farmers’ exposure to climate change-related risks.

Originality/value

This study provides information that was previously unknown about climate smart agriculture knowledge transfers and application among farmers who participated in field trainings and non-FFS participation farmers by using empirical data.

Details

International Journal of Development Issues, vol. 22 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1446-8956

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 20 May 2024

Gladys Ndunge Mutinda, Castro Gichuki, Zhimin Liu and Xue Shan

The converging global trends for countries and educational institutions is to push the boundaries of science and develop new technologies through the application of…

Abstract

Purpose

The converging global trends for countries and educational institutions is to push the boundaries of science and develop new technologies through the application of internationalization strategies. However, the extent to which higher education institutions (HEIs) participate and apply internationalization strategies in higher education (IOHE) varies by institution and region.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employed the multi-level ordinal regression to estimate how various factors influence the rationales to internationalize higher education.

Findings

The study revealed that the salience of HEIs choice of a specific rationale for the IOHE stems from either the academic, administrative and socio-cultural levels.

Research limitations/implications

This article posits, particularly for Kenyan universities, that proper identification of their needs and wants for their higher education is key to successfully engage in IOHE. This recognition of needs and wants places them in the right position to identify appropriate rationales to engage in this complex process.

Originality/value

The novelty of this study is based on the fact that in Sub-Saharan Africa, research on the rationales for the IOHE in universities is highly lacking. A focus on more localized contexts is a critical starting point for these institutions to own and situate the internationalization process in a way that meets their needs.

Details

Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2050-7003

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 31 March 2020

Castro N. Gichuki, Simon K. Gicheha and Charles Wambu Kamau

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of GLOBALGAP standards certification on farmer's preference for marketing contract choices including written contracts…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of GLOBALGAP standards certification on farmer's preference for marketing contract choices including written contracts, oral contracts and spot contracts, as well as to establish the impact of marketing contracts on net returns from snap bean production in Kenya.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, we use a data collected from 446 Snap bean farmers in Kenya. Using a two-step selection Bourguignon Frontier and Gurgand (BFG) model and Propensity Score Matching (PSM), we analysed determinants of Global Gap Certification and other farming characteristics that influence smallholder farmers preference for marketing contracts and net returns from snap beans venture.

Findings

Results indicate that attending GLOBALGAP training, GLOBALGAP subsidy support, membership to GLOBALGAP farmer's groups, and selling beans to GLOBALGAP certified GLOBALGAP buyers would significantly influence better returns underwritten marketing contracts. Producing snap beans underwritten marketing contracts would get farmer's net returns of between 1.8 and 8% while producing under oral and spot market contracts would earn farmer net returns of between 0.2 and 0.08 %.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study is the first to examine the influence of GLOBALGAP standards certification on marketing contract choices and net returns from snap bean production, while accounting for selectivity biasness.

Details

International Journal of Social Economics, vol. 47 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0306-8293

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 October 2015

Castro Ngumbu Gichuki, Milcah Mulu Mutuku and Lydia Nkatha Kinuthia

The purpose of this study is to investigate the inability to access affordable credit in Kenya which hinders many women entrepreneurs from either starting their own or expanding…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the inability to access affordable credit in Kenya which hinders many women entrepreneurs from either starting their own or expanding existing enterprises and capital base. The emergence of table banking groups attempts to fill the existing credit gap.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional survey involving 225 randomly selected women entrepreneurs who participate in table banking groups within Nakuru Municipality was conducted. Data collection comprised a questionnaire whose reliability coefficient was 0.83 at 0.05 confidence level.

Findings

Results indicated that a majority women entrepreneurs aged between 20 and 60 years with 71 per cent of them married. Further, 44 per cent had attained secondary-level education, while no illiterate entrepreneurs participated in the study. A positive increase in the number of employees, after members participated in table banking groups, was realized. Credit received from table banking influenced changes in the size of enterprises.

Originality/value

The study shows that availability, affordability and accessibility of credit from table banking groups led to positive growth of women-owned enterprises.

Details

Journal of Enterprising Communities: People and Places in the Global Economy, vol. 9 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1750-6204

Keywords

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