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Rice bean (Vigna umbellata) is an important legume for food and nutritional security. However, the level of its cultivation in western Kenya, where there is a serious malnutrition challenge, is still low due to a lack of insights into its attributes. Hence, to bridge this knowledge gap, this study analyzed smallholder farmers' preferences for production traits. We collected data from 204 farmers through a choice experiment (CE) approach in upper and lower midland agro-ecological zones. Subsequently, we used the random parameter logit (RPL) model to analyze the data. Results showed that farmers preferred all attribute levels presented except 61 % or more pest resistance. The lower midland farmers preferred compensation of Kenya shillings (Ksh) 34.93 for yields of 9 or more bags per acre; Ksh 52.22 for 61 to 79 maturity days and; Ksh 20.24 for 40 %–60 % pest resistance level. In comparison, upper midland farmers preferred compensation of Ksh 66.44 for 6 to 8 bags per acre; Ksh 53.82 for 9 or more bags per acre; no compensation for 50 to 60 maturity days; and Ksh 132.98 for 40 %–60 % pest resistance. However, farmers preferred no compensation for intact pods. The observed differences in farmers' preferences for rice bean attributes are explained by heterogeneity in the agroecological conditions, farmers' socio-economic characteristics, and risk perceptions. The findings should inform targeted extension and breeding programs that fit farmers’ diverse environments and resource endowments.

Horticulture is highly affected by climate variability. Various measures including climate-smart horticulture (CSH) practices are applied by farmers to curb the severity of climate change. Some farmers use mobile phones to access information and enhance their knowledge and skills related to CSH. However, the empirical effect of mobile phone usage on productivity of CSH farmers remains unclear. To address this, the study analyzed primary data from 403 farmers in Taita-Taveta County. Data envelopment analysis (DEA) technique was used to assess technical efficiency (TE), while a two-stage model incorporating partial factor productivity and a Tobit model was employed to examine the effect of mobile phone use on CSH productivity. Results showed that farmers’ TE scores were 24.9 %, 34.3 % and 54.3 % for green grams, tomatoes and both crops, respectively. Productivity levels obtained for green grams, tomatoes and both crops were 143.3 kg/acre, 4817.1 kg/acre and 2716 kg/acre, respectively. Mobile phone usage in CSH has the potential to enhance both TE and productivity. These findings demonstrate the need for horticulture stakeholders to develop an effective information management policy to enable delivery of credible, timely and simple CSH information to farmers.

Agricultural advisory services help farmers to access farming skills, technologies and agricultural markets. The services are offered by different actors, who all together form the pluralistic advisory service providers. In recent years, pluralistic advisory service providers have emerged in various developing countries including Tanzania. Pluralistic providers have different institutional arrangements and varying levels of effectiveness, which lead farmers to have diverse perceptions towards them. However, the perceptions of farmers on pluralistic advisory services have not been fully documented, making it difficult to gauge the level of acceptance of the diverse services offered. This paper employs principal component analysis (PCA) and Q-methodology to elicit farmers' perceptions on the pluralistic services using samples of 627 and 23 farmers, respectively. Results from both methods showed that pluralistic providers offered diverse services ranging from production to market information. Further, the two approaches provided concurring findings that advisory services offered did not meet farmers’ advisory demands. Furthermore, each method served to fill the shortcomings of the other. Therefore, we recommend a complementary application of both approaches rather than treating them as mutually exclusive in the analysis of perceptions.

Sorghum plot managers in different locations have varying levels of resource endowment that in turn influence technical efficiency (TE). Therefore, plot managers operate at different levels of technology. The present study applied a stochastic metafrontier approach to assess TE and technology gaps of female, male and jointly-managed sorghum plots. A two limit-Tobit model was subsequently applied to assess determinants of TE. Results indicate that male-managed sorghum plots had the highest metafrontier technical efficiencies (MTEs) (61%, 56% and 15%) and technology gap ratios (TGRs) (98%, 92% and 20%) for Lira, Serere and Kumi districts, respectively compared to female and jointly managed plots. However, jointly managed plots had higher TE and TGRs compared to female plot managers but lower than those of the male-managed plots. Age, distance to plot and farmer group membership influenced TE positively while household size, years of farming sorghum and access to credit had negative effects on efficiency.

Global land acquisition and lease investments in developing countries by foreign companies have elicited a lot of controversy and interest in recent literature. Well-structured foreign land leases and investments might offer development benefits to the host countries including opportunities for employment, provision of capital for improvement of infrastructure and stabilization of food prices. However, most foreign land lease deals in Africa are often characterized by secret negotiations and lack of local stakeholder consultations. Consequently, the land deals often result in displacement of land owners and loss of their customary land rights such as grazing and fuel wood access rights. The situation is exacerbated by relatively low monetary compensation offered to the land owners by the foreign investors. In recent years, numerous protests by the excluded stakeholders have resulted to considerable loss of investments and disruption of livelihoods. Against this backdrop, the present study analyzed local community members' preferences for foreign land lease design attributes in coastal Kenya using choice experiment survey data from a random sample of 200 respondents. Results showed that respondents prefer varying payment levels in order to allow design of leases that incorporate the following attributes: short lease duration (up to 15 years); renewable leases after joint negotiations and; provision of formal employment to land owners’ household members. These insights should be incorporated in the design of foreign land leases to promote harmony between land owners and leasers.