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Intention to adopt improved indigenous chicken breeds among smallholder farmers in Machakos county, Kenya. Do socio-psychological factors matter?

The study was conducted to evaluate factors that significantly influence indigenous poultry production among smallholder farmers in Tigania west Mer County using the production function approach. The study relied on primary data collected by administering structured questionnaires to 359 respondents randomly selected from 5 wards using the multi stage stratified random sampling and probability proportionate to size techniques. A cross sectional survey design and primary data on poultry yields, inputs and farmer demographics were collected. A one step Cobb Douglas production function in logarithmic form was used to estimate the frontier production. From the analyses, results showed that over 50% of the deviations in poultry output resulted from production constraints. Further, off farm income, technology adoption, flock size, extension access and gender of respondents positively influenced indigenous poultry production, while land under cultivation had a negative influence. Results revealed a possibility to increase indigenous poultry production using improved feeds and vaccinations since they were the most limiting resources. In addition, policy interventions aimed at enhancing technology adoption and improving provision of extension services would serve as a motivation to persuade farmers increase stock and apportion more credits to poultry production. This would increase output leading to economies of scale thus increased returns among smallholder farmers. Key words: Indigenous chicken, production, smallholder farmer.

Most communal farmers in Chivi district of Zimbabwe rear indigenous chickens. However, the impact of interventions by government and non-government partners remains unknown. The purpose of this study is to assess impact of indigenous chicken production in semi-arid areas with a focus on Chivi district. The research focused on indigenous chickens as the enterprise has the potential to increase rural population income and in turn improve the nutrition for the rural population. A total of 160 indigenous chicken farmers were sampled from a population of 1240 who received past interventions in trainings, feed and chicks or pullets from development partners and government using a survey questionnaire. Variables such as age, farmer experience, education, type of dwelling, maize, cattle, goats, supplementary feed, type of housing, resting of fowl run, vaccinations and type of hatching method were found to be significantly affecting sales rate. Indigenous chicken production was found to be weakly profitable as a positive gross margin was obtained. The study also revealed that value chain actors in indigenous chicken production had no processors. It was concluded that though indigenous chicken production was profitable, the above stated factors affect impact of indigenous chickens. The value chain map had no processors. Capacitating farmers on poultry management and availing credit to finance production and marketing players is important to improve indigenous chickens among smallholder farmers.

Introduction: The poultry industry is a critical sub-sector of agriculture and a key driver of economic growth in the Hadiya Zone of Central Ethiopia. Despite its potential, the sector faces significant challenges due to market competitiveness, limited access to inputs, and weak value chain coordination, which restrict the benefits for smallholder producers. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the poultry value chain and analyze the factors influencing poultry farmers' decisions to participate in the market in Hadiya Zone, Central Ethiopia. Methods: Primary data were collected from 297 poultry farmers, 25 traders, 8 processors, and 54 consumers, supported by relevant secondary sources. Descriptive statistics were used to map the value chain and identify constraints, while a binomial logistic regression model was employed to examine the determinants of farmers’ market participation decisions. Results: The analysis revealed that the poultry value chain involves multiple actors—input suppliers, producers, traders, processors, and consumers. Value chain activities include input supply, production, marketing, processing, and final consumption. Producers were found to receive relatively low returns compared to traders and processors, who dominate the chain due to higher capital and bargaining power. Major constraints identified include feed shortages, low productivity, limited access to improved breeds, veterinary services, and weak extension support. Market participation was significantly influenced by education level, distance to market, household size, presence of children, flock size, breed type, alternative income sources, access to veterinary services, and availability of supplementary feed. Conclusions: Strengthening poultry farmers’ market participation requires a multi-pronged policy approach. Interventions should focus on enhancing education, improving access to inputs and veterinary services, investing in infrastructure, and supporting diversified income sources to make the poultry value chain more inclusive and profitable for smallholders in the Hadiya Zone.

Characterization of indigenous chicken production and related constraints: Insights from smallholder households in rural Kenya

Smallholder farmers have for a long time preferred to sell at the farm gate, where the prices have been very low compared to market places. This has been fueled by several challenges related to market participation. The purpose of this study is therefore aiming at developing an empirical understanding that uncovers whether digital technology can mediate the relationship between entrepreneurial networks and market participation. Entrepreneurship and digital technology are novel concepts in agriculture, especially for smallholder farmers. Therefore, this study presents new insights on how the challenges of market participation can be solved through entrepreneurial networks and digital technology. The study used validated items adopted from previous studies, from which the structured questionnaires were distributed to 298 smallholder farmers. In addition, structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to analyse relationships in which digital technology was found to be a mediator of the relationship between entrepreneurial networks and market participation among smallholder farmers. Further, the study suggests that smallholder farmers can overcome challenges and increase market participation if they change their attitudes through training conducted by rural extension officers and embrace digital technologies by designing new or joining existing entrepreneurial networks.

This study assessed the effects of non-tariff barriers (NTBs) on market participation for maize smallholder farmers in the major maize producing districts of Mbozi and Momba in Mbeya region located in the Southern Highland of Tanzania. A two-stage stratified sampling was used in selecting 240 smallholder farmers from the selected villages in two districts and interviewed. In estimating the effects of NTBs on market participation and quantity of maize sold by farmers, the two-stage Henchman model was used. Results showed that, NTBs and distance to market had negative effects on the quantity of maize supplied and market participation. This implies that, for every 100% increase in application of NTBs by the government could decrease market participation and sell of maize by 77% from smallholder farmers. However, ownership of assets and amount of harvest were found to increase maize supply and market participation by 68 and 2%, respectively. The study concluded that, application of NTBs policies in Tanzania could not increase supply of maize especially on surplus regions and districts. In contrast could discourage farmers’ market participation. Therefore, it was recommend that, government should eliminate discriminative NTBs and improve market infrastructures such as roads and storage facilities in order to increase farmers’ market participation.   Key words: Market participation, maize, non-tariff barriers (NTBs), smallholder farmers.

In Ethiopia, cereal production and marketing are the means of livelihood for millions of households. Teff is the major cash crop grown in the study area mainly for market. However, the teff marketing has not been given due attention, which has potential production volume and marketability. The objective of this paper is to identify the factors affecting market participation and intensity of teff marketed surplus. A two stage random sampling procedure was used and a total of 154 smallholder farmers were randomly and proportionally selected to collect both primary and secondary data. Heckman two-stage model was used. The first stage model result indicated that lagged price, family size and credit access were factors that influenced market participation and second stage model result indicated that amount of teff produced, family size, land size, livestock and age were factors that determined the extent of teff marketed. Providing adequate size of credit, improving production of teff which enhances its productivity and relying on intensive cultivation are strategies to increase farmers' participation in teff marketing. Key words: Heckman two-stage model, teff, market participation and intensity of participation. &nbsp

BackgroundEthiopia has enormous potential for malt barley production. However, the local supply is insufficient to meet the demand for both the existing and emerging malt and beer factories. As a result, millions of dollars were being spent nationally to import malt. This study sought to underscore the factors influencing smallholder farmers' decision to participate in malt barley marketing and the level of participation in Central Ethiopia. A multi-stage sampling method was used to select representative sample households. Descriptive statistics and Heckman two-stage model were used to analyze the data.ResultsThe result of the probit model revealed that malt barley producer farmers' decision to participate in the malt barley grain market was determined by age and formal education level, malt barley farming experience, amount of malt barley grain produced, total livestock holding, distance from local cooperative and nearest market and household access to enough stable food; whereas, the ordinary least squares regression results indicated that malt barley producer farmers' level of participation in the malt barley grain market was determined by the formal education level of the household head, total livestock holding, and distance from the local cooperative.ConclusionsThe policy recommendation of the study were raising farmers' awareness of malt barley quality parameters, organize producer farmers in nearby agricultural cooperatives, creating suitable transportation system, attractive grain prices, alternative stable food crops and forages species. In addition, collaborating with young and educated people will enhance malt barley output and market supply.

Marketing agricultural produce is crucial for alleviating poverty, increasing income, and ensuring food security. In Rwanda, wheat is an essential cash crop that sustains the livelihoods of many smallholder farmers. Despite government efforts to boost wheat production to meet rising national demand, smallholder farmers’ market participation remains limited, with a low market share. Research on the causes of low market participation by smallholder wheat producers in Rwanda remains scarce. This study examines the determinants of market participation and its effect on profit margins among smallholder wheat farmers in Rwanda. A sample of 149 farmers from Nyamagabe District was selected using a multistage sampling approach. A double-hurdle model was used to analyze determinants of market participation, and propensity score matching (PSM) evaluated the effects of market participation on profit margins. The findings revealed that 62.4% of farmers participated in the wheat market, with 29% using formal marketing channels. The double-hurdle model identified land size, access to market information, wheat quantity, total production cost, access to a road network, and access to credit as key determinants of market participation. Additionally, market information, wheat quantity, access to roads, and credit were also positively associated with the intensity of market participation. The PSM results indicated that market participants, particularly those using formal marketing channels achieved higher profit margins. The study recommends that strategies to enhance market participation and profitability for wheat farmers should focus on boosting wheat productivity and improving access to institutional support. Leveraging digital platforms for market information can help reduce transaction costs and improve market access, ultimately fostering community prosperity.

Objective: The aim of this farmer participatory research was to investigate the treatment effects of housing, vaccination, deworming and feed supplementation on production characteristics of indigenous chicken in different farms in Kenya.Methodology and results: The research involved 200 farmers in five regions in three counties (Laikipia, Nyandarua and Nakuru). Four villages were selected per region and10 farms in each village. The selection of farms was based on farmer’s willingness to participate. Training and sensitisation meetings, introduction of intervention options, implementation by farmers, and monitoring and evaluation were carried out. The project was monitored over a span of five, 3-months long period. This paper has dwelt on the inferential statistical analysis of production characteristics hatchability, using variation analysis. The data used was from 107 and 121 farms recorded in three consecutive typical hen-cycles. The production characteristic hatchability was obtained as percentage of the eggs hatched over the eggs set for each hen that had records for each cycle. The mean hatchability values in the 20 villages ranged from 62 – 76% and frequency distribution of individual values had a range of 20 – 100 percent. The analysis of variation has produced evidence for no cycle effect on hatchability while showing large enough variations within and between farms and consequently between regions. Lack of cycle effects on hatchability could possibly be associated with the fact that the characteristic was more or less mancontrolled. The regression analysis provided evidence that a number of variables in four different combinations influenced hatchability levels in different regions.Conclusion and application of results: The results of the analysis indicate that there is strong evidence that farmers’ actions, (management), animal behaviour (indigenous chicken hens genetic potential) and environment (regions) all have some influence on the performance of indigenous chicken flocks. This study also provides empirical evidence that farmer participatory research is a development concept that has great potential in supporting innovation and technology development and transfer for poverty alleviation and livelihoods enhancing of rural poor people.Keywords: Indigenous chicken system; Eggs hatchability; Smallholder farmers; Participation; Analysis of variation; Kenya

The study investigated the adoption of improved technologies among poultry farmers in Sumbawanga Municipality. Data was collected through interviews, focus group discussions, and documentary reviews. 110 poultry farmers were contacted, simple random was used to get chicken keepers, and purposive sampling was used to select key informants. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was used. On demographic characteristics of respondents, the results revealed that the majority of chicken keepers were between 35-60 years, with females being the majority. Also, most of the respondents were single, implying that this group does not depend on their husbands for accessing necessary needs and therefore they are involved in chicken keeping to meet their needs. On the level of adoption of improved technologies, the majority were in low level they are practicing traditional methods, and more than 70% of respondents are keeping chicken in local ways. On examining the determinant factors that influence farmers to adopt improved technologies in keeping indigenous chicken, binary logistic linear regression was used for analysis, the following factors were obtained, Educational Level (p = 0.002): indicates a strong relationship between education and technology adoption. This implies that respondents with at least secondary education are more likely to adopt improved technologies than those with lower educational levels. Another factor is capital (p = 0.01): indicating access to financial resources determines the decision of whether to adopt or not to adopt improved technologies. This implies farmers with much capital are more capable of adopting new technologies likely due to affordability and risk management. Another factor was extension services (p = 0.042): This implies that access to extension services (training, demonstrations, and technical advice) positively influences the adoption of improved technologies. Another factor was the size of the flock (p = 0.032): which implies that farmers with larger flock sizes are more inclined to adopt new technologies, possibly to manage operations more efficiently or increase productivity. The study recommends the following, first community should be encouraged to make sure that their children get secondary education, and above this will increase chances of them to adopt improved technologies in poultry keeping. Secondly, the government should increase efforts on subsidising inputs such as feeds, vaccination and treatment medicine. Moreover, the government should influence financial institutions to provide loans to chicken farmers with affordable conditions this will encourage them to request loans and get capital; finally, the government should recruit more extension officers and improve their mobility (e.g., transport provision) since extension services are a key driver of adoption.

Markets play a critical role in economic development and strengthening market participation by smallholder farmers in both input and output markets is critical for the development of smallholder agriculture in Zimbabwe. This study analyzes the determinants of output markets participation in Masvingo and Manicaland provinces using data from a random sample 479 smallholder farmers. Market participation is very low with only 19% of the sample farmers participating in output markets. Results of the binary logistic regression show that the variables that have a positive and significant effect on outputs market participation are age of the head of household, the size of the household, the level of education of the head of household, the household agricultural income, the degree of farm specialization, access to irrigation, access to draft power, on demand extension service, quality of extension support, distance of the farm from the nearest rural business centre and tenure. Gender of the head of household, the level of education of household members, farming experience, the block training approach, the level of dependency, the farmer to farmer extension approach and household members with off-farm employment significantly and negatively influence market participation. In order to enhance smallholder farmers’ participation in output markets, the study recommends that policy intervention efforts must primarily focus on expanding access to irrigation and draft power as well as improving the quality of extension support services for the farmers.

1. A total of 257 farmers with free ranging laying hens (organic and conventional) in Switzerland, France and The Netherlands with 273 flocks were interviewed to determine the relationships between the genotype of the hens, management conditions and performance. 2. Almost 20 different genotypes (brands) were present on the farms. In France, all birds were brown feathered hens laying brown eggs. In Switzerland and The Netherlands, there were brown, white (white feathered hens laying white eggs) and silver (white feathered hens laying brown eggs) hens. In Switzerland, mixed flocks were also present. 3. The overall effect of system (organic vs. conventional free range) on egg production and mortality was significant, with higher mortality and lower egg production among organic hens. In pair wise comparisons within country, the difference was highly significant in The Netherlands, and showed a non-significant tendency in the same direction in Switzerland and France. 4. White hens tended to perform better than brown hens. Silver hens appeared to have a higher mortality and lower production per hen housed at 60 weeks of age. 5. There were no significant relationships between production, mortality, feather condition and use of outside run or with flock size. 6. There was more variation in mortality and egg production among farms with a small flock size than among farms with a large flock size.

Policies for commercial transformation of smallholder agriculture are often aimed at promoting household market participation. The literature on agricultural transformation also makes little distinction between market orientation and market participation. This paper analyzes the determinants of market orientation and market participation in Ethiopia separately and examines if market orientation translates into market participation. Results show that subsistence requirements, market access, and production factors affect market orientation, while market access and volume of production affect market participation. Results also show that market orientation translates strongly into market participation. The key implication of this study is that policy interventions aimed at promoting commercial transformation of subsistence agriculture should follow two-pronged approach: improving market orientation of smallholders at production level, and facilitation of market entry and participation of households in output markets. Focusing on either may not be as effective in achieving the transformation.