1150 research outputs found
Sort by
Agricultural Imports, Agriculture Productivity and Economic Growth in sub-Saharan Africa: A Bootstrap Granger Noncausality Analysis in Heterogeneous Panels
Get PDFThis study investigates the causal links among agricultural imports, agriculture productivity, and economic growth in 40 sub-Saharan African countries over the period 1990–2015. Granger noncausality tests are applied to infer direction of causality, whereas the generalized two-stage least squares instrumental variable technique estimates the effects while controlling for endogeneity. The bootstrapping procedure is used to deal with cross-sectional dependence. The results reveal bidirectional causality between agricultural imports and agriculture productivity in the full sample, and in middle- and low-income non-oil-exporting countries. The relationship between agricultural imported inputs and agriculture productivity is positive and significant. In addition, unidirectional causality from agricultural imports to economic growth is seen in the full sample and middle-income non-oil exporters. Growth elasticity of agricultural imports is about 0.98 in the full sample and about 1.3 in the middle-income group. Therefore, agricultural trade policies in the region should be reexamined to promote international trade for economic developmen
Influence of Rainfall Variability and Trends on Tomato Production among Small Scale Farmers in Kieni East Sub County Kenya
Get PDFCredit Management Practice, SACCO Size and Financial Sustainability of Deposit Taking Saving and Credit Co-Operatives in Kenya
Get PDFPurpose:Deposit Taking Saving and Credit Co-operatives facilitates financial intermediation, inclusion and deepening. In spite of this, 30 percent do not operate with prudent credit management practices attributed to unremitted deductions by employer institutions or borrowers’ default and unskilled employees. This makes them prone to de-licensing for being financially vulnerable thus, putting members’ funds at risk. This is still a puzzle even with the investment by the government on an oversight authoritythat can ensure they are compliant to the regulations so as to maintain financial sustainability. This study was conducted to establish the moderating effect of SACCO size on credit management practice and financial sustainability. The information asymmetry theory was adopted where the study population was the Kenya Deposit Taking Saving and Credit Co-operatives. Design and Methodology:A descriptive cross-sectional survey design with a positivism philosophical paradigm where the sample size was 119 respondents out of which 95 percent responded. Emailed questionnaire and data collection sheet were used in data collection. Findings:A binary logistic regression was carried out where it was established that with presence of a moderator for the independent sub-variables, the strength of relationship between variables didn’t change (Nagelkerke R2 = 20.1 percent) but with introduction of interaction term, the strength of relationship between variables changed (Nagelkerke R2 = 27.2 percent). However, the relationship strength between variables didn’t change with presence of a moderator for the independent variable (Nagelkerke R2 = 19.9 percent). Conclusion and recommendation:This study thus, concluded that SACCO size had a significant moderating effect on the independent sub-variables but the overall independent variable did not show any significance. This study recommended that SACCO size should only be considered while addressing credit risk mitigation and staff competence of DT-SACCOs in an effort to improve their financial sustainability
Effects of the challenges facing re-entry of women ex-offenders in Nyeri County, Kenya
No full textchallenges facing re-entry of women ex-offendersThe comparative rate of women entering the formal correctional system and serving custodial sentences, both in prison and prison remand awaiting trial, is on the increase. This is accompanied by a similarly increasing number of women eventually exiting prisons annually. This study investigated the challenges influencing reentry of women ex-offenders in Nyeri County, Kenya. The study specifically investigated the effects of not addressing the challenges identified for women returning from prison in Nyeri County especially challenges connected to housing, employment, relationships, drug, and substance abuse as well as mental health after incarceration. This was a qualitative study adopting a phenomenological design. The site and respondents were purposively selected with snowballing being used to select the respondents to the point of saturation. This study made use of 41 women ex-convicts, 3 FGDs, and 9 key informants. Data were collected by use of semi-structured interview schedules. Results indicated that ex-offenders face various challenges upon release from prison. The effects of these challenges when not addressed the impact the individual self, their family, the community, and predisposed the ex-convicts to a high propensity for recidivism. Based on the findings it is suggested that the use of community corrections, adjusting prison training to market needs, and the use of victim-offender mediation can be better alternatives to incarceration
Knowledge Levels of Breast Cancer Among Women of Reproductive Age in Kenya, a Case Study of Kitui County
Get PDFdoi: 10.11648/j.cajph.20200605.19Background: Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality among women in the world today. Therefore
there is need for concerted efforts to advance interventions that seek to mitigate challenges associated with its screening. In
Kenya, breast cancer accounts for 23% of cancerous diseases that affect women. The purpose of this study was to determine
the knowledge levels on breast cancer among women of reproductive age in Kitui County, roll out community based health
education intervention (CBHI) targeted at enhancing breast cancer knowledge, and finally to assess the effect of the CBHI on
knowledge levels. Methods: The study design adopted was quasi-experimental. This was adopted because it enables
researchers to evaluate causal relationships when interventions or agents of causation are induced. This study was undertaken
with the causal mechanism being the rollout of CBHI and the impact in knowledge of breast cancer. Two groups were
evaluated; intervention and control groups. The knowledge among these groups was evaluated between two time intervals; end
line and at baseline. Data was collected using questionnaire instruments, analyzed using SPSS v23 and presented in form of
tables and frequencies. Inferential analysis was achieved through binary logistic regression and Difference in Difference scores.
Results: The individual score analysis on different aspect of breast cancer knowledge and awareness indicated that there was a
direct positive impact of the CBHI on the knowledge on breast cancer among the respondents. Significant changes observed
upon the implementation of CBHI on breast cancer included; respondents in the intervention group who knew at least two
danger signs for breast cancer increased to 3.8 (Adj. OR=3.895, P<0.05, 95%CI: 2.538-5.979), those who knew the age related
risks associated with breast cancer increased by 4.1 (Adj. OR=4.128, P<0.05, 95%CI: 2.940-5.797), and finally, those who knew
at least one Breast cancer screening method increased 7 fold among the intervention group after the rollout of CBHI (Adj.
OR=7.011, P<0.05, 95%CI: 4.138-11.880). Conclusion: The impact of CBHI on knowledge of breast cancer was significant. As
a result, more people in the intervention group were cognizant of different warning signs of breast cancer, breast cancer screening
methods, and that these opportunities facilitate early detection of breast cancer. The actionable strategies recommended by this
study is implementation of community based strategies to enhance knowledge levels on breast cancer in order to improve
screening uptake and therefore early detection of breast cancer
Correlates of Loneliness in Single Gender and Coeducational Boarding Schools in Murang’a County, Kenya
Get PDFLoneliness remains a challenge among learners all over the world especially at adolescence stage. Major correlates of loneliness in schools have been identified as teacher-learner relationships, sense of belonging to school and learners’ peer relationships. The interplay of these factors has not been widely studied in the gendered context of schools. The purpose of this study was to establish power of determination of learners’ peer relationships, sense of belonging to school and teacher-learner relationships on loneliness, in single gender and coeducational sub county public secondary schools in Murang’a County of Kenya. The Krejecie and Morgan table was used to determine sample size of 435 participants from a population of 13,572 students in the sub county coeducational and single gender secondary schools in the county. Stratified random sampling method was used to select 231 boys and 204 girls, each type of school formed a stratum. A cross sectional survey research design was used in the study. Loneliness was measured using Perth aloneness loneliness scale while learners’ peer relationships, teacher-learner relationships and sense of belonging to school were measured using scales developed for this research, with reliability index (α) of 0.81, 0.68, 0.79 and 0.82 respectively. Descriptive statistics and regression analysis was done using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) program version 20. Lerner (1991) developmental contexualism theory was applied in interpreting the findings. The results indicated that girls were adversely affected by the presence of boys in all variables under observation except in learners’ peer relationships. Learners’ peer relationships, sense of belonging to school and teacher-learner relationships were protective against loneliness. Recommendations are that approaches to improve school climate and alleviate loneliness be anchore
Challenges and Opportunities in Tomato Production Chain and Sustainable Standards
Get PDFTomato(Lycopersicon esculentum) is an important member of the Solanaceae family. It is mainly used as food and cash crop globally. Tomato also serves as an ornamental plant in some parts of the world. In urban areas, thiscrop is included in the foodscaping systems where it is grown in hanging baskets, growing pots and aquaponics for aesthetic and food purposes. Tomato production is mainly done for fresh and processing market niches. Most developed countries process a larger portion of tomato than is offered in fresh form. Cultivation of tomato is practiced on the open field and inside greenhouses. Greenhouse production has gained popularity recently. Determinate varieties are produced outdoor while indeterminate ones are produced in greenhouses and tunnels. Due to good adaptability, heirloom tomato varieties are becoming popular especially where farmers practice tomato grafting using the indigenous varieties as rootstocks. High cost of inputs, pest and diseases, postharvest losses and marketing are the major challenges facingtomato production globally. Organic tomato production is an emerging market niche. This is due to the increased consumer awareness, environmental conservation requirements and globalization. Thus, farmers have been making strides towards compliance to organic and other sustainable standards. These standards require adoption of the requisite practices, documentation, verification and certification by a third party. Value addition in tomato is an important aspect in addressing the postharvest challenges, product diversification and ultimately profitability. Thisreview paper is expected to provide the requisite information in tomato value chain to ensure sustainable production of tomato globally
The Effects of Destination Marketing on Tourism Performance in West Pokot County
Get PDFJournal Article AbstractTourism is an ever-growing service industry with great development potential. It has become
one of the most important drivers of socio-economic development worldwide and has attracted
interest for research. Many nations rely on tourism industry as a key source for foreign
exchange, private sector growth, infrastructure development, and poverty alleviation in terms
of employment opportunities and improvement of the welfare of the people in tourist
destinations. According to United Nation World Tourism Organization, development agencies
and policymakers are increasingly advocating tourism as an effective way to reduce poverty in
least-developed countries. However, lack of proper marketing strategies is a challenge in many
county governments, posing further challenge in tourism performance. The general objective
of the study was to assess the effect of destination marketing on tourism performance in West
Pokot County. Specifically, the study sought to establish the influence of awareness creation,
developing new markets, advertising and branding on tourism performance in west Pokot
County. To achieve these objectives, descriptive research design was used. Target population
consisted of employees of hotels, officials of tour firms and officers in the ministry of tourism
in the County Government of West Pokot. Purposive sampling technique was used and a total
of 41 respondents selected. Data was collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed
using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study established that 41.8 % of the changes in
tourism performance in West Pokot County was attributed to destination marketing. The P-
value was 0.000 indicating that destination marketing had a significant influence on tourism
performance of west Pokot County. The study recommends that destination marketing should
be promoted by all the stakeholders involved and the funds allocated to destination marketing
should be increased. This will promote the performance of tourism since destination marketing
increases awareness among domestic and foreign tourists
The Influence of Contextual Factors on HACCP System Practices in Four and Five Star Rated Hotels in Nairobi City County, Kenya
Get PDFHazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) system is an important food safety strategy that most food production entities throughout the world endeavor to implement. However, a variety of contextual factors influence its successful execution. This study sought to determine the influence of contextual factors namely food safety regulations, market forces, size of the hotel, management commitment and funding level onHACCP system practices in four and five star ratedhotels in Nairobi City County. Atotal of 255 hotel cooks and 33 chefs in 16 four and five star rated hotels participated in the studyas key informant respondents and units of analysisfrom whom datawas collectedusing a self-administered structured questionnaire. Additional data was collected from hotel managers through an interview schedule forcross-validation. Analysis of data was conducted through a set of descriptive statistics that provided detailed explanations of the study variablesas well as multiple linear regression to test the set null hypothesis at 95 percent confidence level (α = 0.05).The results of the study reveal that on the aggregate, the context within which the hotels operate significantlyinfluences their HACCP system practices. In particular, regulatory framework, size of the hotel, management commitment and funding level were found to have a positive influence on HACCP system practices of the hotelswhile market forces hadnegative effect on the hotels’ HACCP systempractices. Thestudyprovides significant insights for the advancementof knowledge onHACCP concept as well as appropriate recommendations to hotel managers and other food production industry practitioners on the effective implementation of HACCP system practice
To Investigate the Effect of Microwaves Irradiated Water and Feeds On The Broilers.
Get PDFIn electromagnetic spectrum, microwaves radiation spans a range from 300 MHz to 300 GHz. These radiationshave been used in many devices that are used by humanbeings.They may be very harmful for living organisms. Bad effects of microwaves have also been investigated for several crops. This work investigates the effect of microwaves treated water and microwaves warmedfeeds to thebroiler chicken. 1100 Watt and 2450MHz power microwaveoven was used to irradiate chicken’s drinking water and feeds.During investigations, many parameterssuch as temperature, humidity, quality of water and food were well maintained.In conclusion, measuring body weight may be a useful tool to estimate growth potential rather than using body height and length. The broilerused microwavedradiated water and feeds shows better growth rate as compared to others that used normal water and feeds and that used boiled water and warmed feeds