School of Agriculture, Environment, Water and Natural Resources Management (JA)

Cost-benefit analysis of optimised supplementation practices in onions for increased marketability for Kenyan farmers

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Cost-benefit analysis of optimised supplementation practices in onions for increased marketability for Kenyan farmers Xavier, Briggx; Kirambia, Rosemary K.; Akuja, Thomas E. Onion (Allium cepa) is a vital crop both as a dietary staple and a source of income for most farmers, with significant market benefits. However, its potential as a functional food is limited due to poor agronomic practices affecting the market, leaving a huge gap and thereby reducing its marketability. Therefore, this research aimed to investigate the effects of sulphur, calcium and magnesium supplementation on the marketability of onions. The research was an open-field experiment where an RCBD layout was adopted across major onion production areas in Kenya: Kisaju-Kajiado and Koma-Machakos. Experimental treatments included varying levels and combinations of S, Ca and Mg supplementation, and effects were evaluated. Preliminary tests, including Levene’s, Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Durbin-Watson and Shapiro-Wilk test; Cox and Snell, Nagelkerke and McFadden tests for normality, linear and multinomial regression, including collinearity were performed using SPSS software and the data was found to be parametric. Analysis of Variance tests were further performed, and where significant differences were found, a post hoc test was performed and results displayed. Significant differences were found as a result, and therefore, the null hypothesis was rejected, as varying levels of nutrient supplementation significantly affected the onion cost-benefit gains. S, Ca and Mg at 40 kg/ha had the highest gross market returns as well as net profitability per kg, with a mean of KES 107.04 gross market price per kg on the “Texas Grano” variety with a total of 15 onions and KES 103.49 net profit mean return on the “Red Creole” variety with a total of 10 onions, respectively. Therefore, this study concluded that S, Ca and Mg supplements significantly improve onion marketability and are therefore recommended to farmers intending to achieve high gross market returns as well as higher net profitability DOI : https://doi.org/10.37284/eajab.9.2.5892

Determinants of moringa marketing-channel choice among smallholder value-chain actors in semi-Arid Makueni County, Kenya

Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Determinants of moringa marketing-channel choice among smallholder value-chain actors in semi-Arid Makueni County, Kenya Mulinge, Wellington K.; Kimiti, Jacinta M.; Cavers, Stephen Marketing-channel choice is an important component of agricultural commercialization because alternative channels differ in price incentives, transaction costs, market accessibility, buyer reliability and volume requirements. This study examined the factors influencing Moringa marketing-channel choice among valuechain actors in Kibwezi East and West Sub-Counties of Makueni County, Kenya. Primary data were collected using structured questionnaires from 650 Moringa value-chain actors comprising producers, middlemen or brokers, retailers, wholesalers, processors and consumers. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression were used to analyse the determinants of marketing-channel choice. Eight explanatory variables were included in the final model: price received, distance to market, quantity marketed, trust in the buyer, transport accessibility, education level, farming experience and land allocated to Moringa. The logistic regression model was statistically significant (Model χ² = 124.83, p < 0.001), with a Cox and Snell R² of 0.39 and Nagelkerke R² of 0.47. The model correctly classified 76.9% of observations, while the Hosmer–Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test was non-significant (p = 0.624), indicating an adequate model fit. Price received was positively associated with marketing-channel choice (β = 0.021, OR = 1.021, p < 0.001), while distance to market had a negative association (β = −0.087, OR = 0.917, p < 0.001). Quantity marketed (β = 0.014, OR = 1.014, p < 0.001), trust in buyers (β = 0.563, OR = 1.756, p < 0.001), transport accessibility (β = 0.431, OR = 1.539, p < 0.001), and land allocated to Moringa (β = 0.392, OR = 1.480, p = 0.001) were also positively associated with channel choice. Education and farming experience were not statistically significant. The findings demonstrate that Moringa marketing-channel decisions are shaped primarily by economic incentives, transaction costs, market accessibility, relational governance and production capacity rather than formal education or farming experience. Strengthening market information systems, transport infrastructure, aggregation arrangements, producer–buyer relationships and production capacity could expand smallholder access to more attractive and reliable Moringa marketing channels in semi-arid Kenya. DOI: 10.51244/IJRSI.2026.1308000222

Institutional framework and governance arrangements for watershed management in Makueni County, Kenya

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Institutional framework and governance arrangements for watershed management in Makueni County, Kenya Kieti, Raphael; Kauti, Matheaus K.; Kisangau, Daniel P. Background: Watershed degradation in semi-arid regions of Kenya has emerged as a critical environmental and socio-economic challenge, threatening ecosystem sustainability and rural livelihoods. In Makueni County, increasing pressure from population growth, unsustainable land-use practices, climate variability, and poverty has accelerated soil erosion, deforestation, sedimentation, and declining agricultural productivity, thereby undermining food security and environmental integrity. Aim: The present study aimed to determine how institutional conditions influenced watershed management in Makueni County, Kenya. The specific objectives were to determine how land-use methods influenced the socio-economic and biophysical conditions of watershed resources in Makueni County and their effects on livelihoods, and how the institutional framework contributed to watershed management in the study area. Study Design: The study used a descriptive survey research approach to obtain data on the socio-economic characteristics of the study area and historical trends in land use. Place and Duration of Study: Makueni County, Kenya; September 2024 to April 2025. Methodology: Structured and semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect data from the community and key informants. The data collected were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and Microsoft Excel 2010. Data from household and key-informant questionnaires and focus group discussion (FGD) notes were processed using thematic analysis to establish leading themes, trends/patterns, relationships, or correlations. Results: The study established that livelihood strategies and the current natural resources management framework had a negative impact on watershed management, with 92% of respondents reporting that unsustainable utilisation methods led to watershed degradation. The most conspicuous effects of watershed degradation were reduction in vegetation cover, increased soil erosion (82%), diminishing farm sizes (75%), water scarcity (63%), and diminishing grazing land (37%). Several government and non-governmental organisations are actively involved in watershed management in different capacities. However, local community participation in watershed restoration activities and involvement in institutional decision-making remain largely unaddressed, thus compromising the sustainable and holistic integrity of watershed resources. Conclusion: We conclude that, although some institutional efforts are in place to maintain watersheds in the study area, the approach is uncoordinated and the local community is largely isolated. Despite multiple actors, weak coordination, sectoral approaches, and limited community participation undermine sustainable watershed management. We therefore recommend an integrated and holistic strategy for sustainable watershed management in which the community becomes a central part of policy formulation and decision-making. https://doi.org/10.9734/ajgr/2026/v9i4467

Structure, actor roles, product flows and value addition in the moringa product value chain in semi-arid Makueni County, Kenya

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Structure, actor roles, product flows and value addition in the moringa product value chain in semi-arid Makueni County, Kenya Mulinge, Wellington K.; Kimiti, Jacinta M.; Cavers, Stephen Moringa has increasing potential as a multipurpose agricultural commodity in semi-arid areas because its leaves, seeds and other products can be marketed in both raw and processed forms. However, limited empirical evidence exists on the organization, functional roles, product flows and value addition processes that shape the Moringa product value chain in semi-arid Kenya. This study examined the structure and functioning of the Moringa product value chain, identified the roles of participating actors, assessed product flows and value addition, and examined constraints affecting commercialization in Kibwezi East and West Sub-Counties of Makueni County, Kenya. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 650 value-chain actors comprising 167 producers (25.7%), 90 middlemen/brokers (13.8%), 108 retailers (16.6%), 63 wholesalers (9.7%), 12 processors (1.8%) and 210 consumers (32.3%) across Makindu, Emali, Masongaleni and Thange Wards. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analysed using descriptive statistics, crosstabulations and chi-square tests in SPSS version 26. Value-chain mapping was used to characterize product, financial and information flows among actors. The results showed that the Moringa value chain comprised interconnected producers, brokers, wholesalers, processors, retailers and consumers, although the intensity of participation varied spatially. Broker participation differed significantly across wards (χ² = 79.69, p < 0.001), as did retailer participation (χ² = 19.07, p < 0.001) and processor participation (χ² = 11.30, p = 0.010), whereas differences in producer and wholesaler participation were not statistically significant. Fresh leaves and seeds were the most widely marketed products, while dried leaves, flowers and seed oil represented important diversification opportunities. Approximately 72.3–73.7% of Moringa production was marketed, while 26.3– 27.0% was retained for household consumption, demonstrating a predominantly commercial orientation. Value addition substantially increased product value. Fresh leaves generated net value added of KSh 17–20/kg, compared with KSh 300–420/kg for dried leaf powder, KSh 55–225/kg for seeds and KSh 1,080–1,620/kg for seed oil across the study wards. Higher-value processing was nevertheless concentrated among a small proportion of actors, reflecting constraints in processing facilities, technical skills, finance, market information, transport and market linkages. The study concludes that the Moringa value chain in semi-arid Makueni County is commercially active but unevenly developed. Strengthening decentralized processing, producer organization, access to finance, market information, product quality systems and linkages between producers and processors would improve value capture and support inclusive commercialization. DOI: https://doi.org/10.47772/IJRISS.2026.100800769