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Research Article
Determinants of Smallholder Farmers’ Participation and Income Effects of Home-Grown School Feeding Programme in Kenya
Modou Musa Sowe*,
Benjamin Mutai
,
Hilary Bett
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 5, October 2026
Pages:
153-168
Received:
30 July 2026
Accepted:
13 August 2026
Published:
22 September 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijae.20261105.11
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Abstract: The Home-Grown School Feeding Programme (HGSFP) provides a link between smallholder farmers and institutional markets, possibly for enhancing household productivity and income. However, empirical evidence on farmers’ engagement decisions and the programme's effect on income remains unknown. This study evaluates the determinants of HGSFP participation and its impact on smallholder farmers' household income. Survey data were collected from 384 households (200 participants and 184 non-participants in HGSFP) in the 2025 cropping production year. An Endogenous Switching Regression model was used to account for non-randomness in programme engagement and to evaluate counterfactual treatment effects. Participation was positively and statistically significantly influenced by awareness of school tendering procedures, farmer-group membership, land size owned, radio ownership, distance to extension services, and children currently attending public primary schools, but had a negative effect with herd ownership and off-farm income. The evaluated Average Treatment effect on Treated (ATE) was [ATE=2.1519, p<0.01], while the Average Treatment Effect on the Untreated (ATU) was [ATU=2.7762, p<0.01], showing significant probable income gains amongst currently excluded from HGSFP. The findings illustrate that HGSFP can work not only as a school-feeding intervention but also as an institutional market system for enhancing smallholder farmers’ welfare. The policy framework should combine programme expansion with enhanced access to farmer organizations, credit, extension services, and procurement information. The ATU estimates offer a basis for targeted programme expansion in terms of socioeconomic, institutional, and agroecological criteria, mainly for eligible non-participant households with higher potential income gains.
Abstract: The Home-Grown School Feeding Programme (HGSFP) provides a link between smallholder farmers and institutional markets, possibly for enhancing household productivity and income. However, empirical evidence on farmers’ engagement decisions and the programme's effect on income remains unknown. This study evaluates the determinants of HGSFP participati...
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Research Article
Risk Management Practices Among Rice Farming Households in Anambra State, Nigeria
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 5, October 2026
Pages:
169-177
Received:
27 May 2026
Accepted:
4 June 2026
Published:
30 September 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijae.20261105.12
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Abstract: In Sub-Saharan Africa, the economy relies on agriculture as the cornerstone of its development and Nigeria is not exempted as the nation’s economy depends on agriculture for its development. This study investigated the determinants of risk management practices among rice farming households in the study area. A multistage sampling technique was employed in the random sampling of 115 rice farmers. The results revealed that the most significant environmental risks included pests, diseases, flooding, erosion, and soil fertility depletion. Farmers mitigate these risks through various strategies such as diversification, use of improved inputs, and cooperative marketing. However, the adoption of these practices is constrained by factors such as limited access to finance, lack of farmland, poor technical knowledge, and insufficient access to extension services. The study examined the factors influencing the adoption of environmental risk management practices, including factors like extension contact, farm income, and farming experience. Findings revealed that increased access to extension services, farm income, and greater farming experience significantly enhanced risk management capabilities. The study concluded that reinforcing extension services and improving farmers’ income and experience can significantly enhance the resilience of rice farmers to environmental risks and contribute to agricultural productivity growth in the study area.
Abstract: In Sub-Saharan Africa, the economy relies on agriculture as the cornerstone of its development and Nigeria is not exempted as the nation’s economy depends on agriculture for its development. This study investigated the determinants of risk management practices among rice farming households in the study area. A multistage sampling technique was empl...
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Research Article
Level of Technical Efficiency in Maize Production in Uasin Gishu and Transzoia Counties in Kenya
Nickson Kiprotich Kimais*
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 5, October 2026
Pages:
178-185
Received:
6 August 2025
Accepted:
21 August 2025
Published:
15 October 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijae.20261105.13
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Abstract: Maize is a vital staple crop in Kenya, essential to both food security and rural livelihoods, especially in key producing regions like Uasin Gishu and Transzoia Counties. Despite their potential, maize yields in these counties remain significantly below optimum levels-averaging 400,000 and 600,000 metric tons respectively, against potentials of 900,000 and 1,000,000 metric tons. This discrepancy signals inefficiencies in resource use among smallholder farmers. To investigate this issue, the study focused on assessing the level of technical efficiency in maize production and identifying the factors contributing to inefficiency. Rooted in the Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA) framework and guided by the Cobb-Douglas production function, the study adopted a descriptive survey design. A sample of 274 farmers was selected from a target population of 16,300 using Cochran’s 1963 formula and stratified random sampling. Primary data were collected through structured, self-administered questionnaires. The results revealed that technical efficiency among farmers ranged from 0.75 to 0.91, with significant inefficiency driven by factors such as education level, farm size, and access to extension services. These findings indicate that productivity could be improved by up to 25% through more efficient resource utilization. The study recommends targeted policy interventions, including farmer training, expanded extension services, and improved access to modern inputs to enhance maize productivity and food security in the region.
Abstract: Maize is a vital staple crop in Kenya, essential to both food security and rural livelihoods, especially in key producing regions like Uasin Gishu and Transzoia Counties. Despite their potential, maize yields in these counties remain significantly below optimum levels-averaging 400,000 and 600,000 metric tons respectively, against potentials of 900...
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