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Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) is an important indigenous multi-purpose crop grown in arid and semiarid areas of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The cowpea has nutritional and economic value, especially for smallholder farmers in dry lands. However, poor farming practices have declined cowpea productivity over the years. Low soil nutrient replenishment exacerbates the situation, leading to low soil fertility. Uptake of regenerative agriculture (RA) technologies is critical to building more resilient ecosystems that improve soil fertility and agricultural productivity while mitigating climate change effects. This study was carried out to evaluate the impact of the uptake of RA technologies on the productivity of cowpea in the dry lands of Embu County, Kenya. A survey involving 400 farming households was conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and a stochastic log-linearized Cobb-Douglas production function were used for the data analysis. The study results showed that RA technologies commonly used by farming households were: cereal-legume intercrop, mulching, minimum tillage, crop rotations, pasture cropping, organic agriculture, and compost manure. The findings also revealed that inputs, farm size, labour cost, and used manure amount positively influenced cowpea productivity. The results also showed that cereal-legume intercrop, crop rotations, pasture cropping, and organic agriculture significantly influenced cowpea productivity, while minimum tillage showed a negative relationship. Therefore, the current study's results recommend that the uptake of RA technologies should be scaled to scale up cowpea productivity in dry lands. The study contributes to determining appropriate technologies for cowpea production in arid and semiarid areas. These results will help the government, policymakers, and other inventors to make the right decisions while disseminating or introducing innovations in dry areas.

Development in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is adversely affected by climate variability and change due to the dependence of its economies and livelihoods primarily on rain-fed agriculture. Agro-advisories boost informed decision-making as well as planning of farm activities. The purpose of this study was to characterize the pathways through which farmers receive usable location-specific agro-advisories as well as to evaluate the effect of the socio-economic environment in the access to such information. Data was collected from 400 randomly selected households in lower eastern Kenya in a cross-sectional survey. Multivariate probit regression was used to determine the factors influencing the choice of pathways used in accessing climate change adaptation information. Household socio-economic characteristics that were found to be significant in explaining access to disseminated agro-advisories include phone and radio ownership, level of education, marital status, and farm size among others. Based on these findings a conclusion is made that the socio-economic environment within which information is disseminated is vital in determining those who access information and probably act on it. Additionally, pathways found to be complementary or substitutable give information providers new insights on the channels to use in information dissemination. The study recommends that these factors be considered in efforts geared towards promoting agro-advisory preparation and dissemination to improve adaptation to climate variability and change in dryland areas.

The study examined the adoption determinants of adapted climate smart agriculture (CSA) technologies among smallholder farmers. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select a total sample of 384 households. Percentages and regression were employed in data analysis. The results revealed that 47.4% adapted to climate change using integrated farming system, intercropping, crop rotation and agroforestry. Sex (0.9%), education level (9.2%) significantly influenced adoption of the adaptation strategies. Moreover, information sources such as mobile phones (0.9%), and neighbors/friends (0.2%) negatively affected the adaptation strategies. Future policy should aim at creating more awareness through different information sources and provide local extension services. Keywords: Adaptation, smallholder farmers

This study ascertained the socioeconomic determinants of farmers’ knowledge on soil and water conservation technologies in Dry zones of Central Highlands of Kenya involving 400 farming households. Results showed that the majority of the farmers had inadequate knowledge on the use and benefits of soil and water conservation technologies. The socio-economic factors that influence knowledge levels of the knowledge-intensive technologies were education level, gender, perceptions on soil fertility, farmer group membership, access to training, farm size, access to credit, number of livestock kept and access to farm equipment. This implies that there is the need to come up with an all-inclusive policy that can be employed in improving farmer’s level of knowledge through the use of more innovative methods of information dissemination. This can be done by strengthening the existing farmer groups, enhancing extension services, and also formulating gender-friendly policies.

Integrated soil fertility and soil water conservation technologies are possible solutions to the low per capita food production in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Nonetheless, the rate of adoption of these technologies by smallholder farmers has stagnated over the years despite being recommended. This has been attributed to the existence of wide communication gaps among researchers, extension agents, and farmers. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the influence of communication factors on the adoption of the selected technologies among smallholder farmers in the drylands of Tharaka-Nithi County. We used a cross-sectional survey design and collected data using an interview schedule from 400 randomly selected farming households. Binary logistic regression was employed for data analysis. Results showed that accessibility of extension agents after introducing the technology significantly influenced the adoption of combined organic and inorganic fertilizers (p = 0.056), mulch (p = 0.051), and Zai pit (p = 0.058). Similarly, practical orientation significantly influenced the adoption of combined organic and inorganic fertilizers (p = 0.001), mulch (p = 0.010), and Zai pit (p = 0.003). Information repetition significantly influenced the adoption of combined organic and inorganic fertilizers, mulch, and Zai pit at p-value 0.003, 0.001, and 0.001, respectively. Training was essential for mulch and Zai pit technologies at (p = 0.030) and (p = 0.001) respectively, while farmer group membership significantly influenced adoption for combined organic and inorganic fertilizers (p = 0.045) and Zai pit (p = 0.057) technologies. Extension agents should increase their interactions with farmers after the introduction of technologies. Equally use of demonstrations should be encouraged during the dissemination of these technologies among the farmers as they enhance the chances of adoption of the technologies., Communication factors, Adoption, Integrated soil fertility management, Soil water conservation technologies.

This work covers the dissemination of climate change adaptation information in arid and semi-arid regions of Kenya with the aim of improving the adaptive capacity of smallholder farmers through dissemination of well package technologies referred to as agro-advisories.

Degraded landscapes and soil water stress are long-standing problems to smallholder agriculture in the drylands. Despite the important roles of zai technology in restoring degraded landscapes and improving agricultural productivity, the technology is yet to be adopted to its fullest extent. This can be attributed to gender-linked disparities in agricultural technology utilization. The study, therefore, sought to determine gender-specific determinants of zai technology choice and use-intensity. A multistage sampling technique was employed in randomly selecting 133 female-headed households and 267 male-headed households in Tharaka South sub-county. Quantitative data were collected in a cross-sectional survey using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Using sex-disaggregated data, Chi-square and t-test statistic were employed to test the statistical significance of dummy and mean value of continuous variables, respectively. Gender specific determinants of zai technology choice and use-intensity were determined using the Heckman-two-step econometric model. The results revealed that, more women farmers (44%) were using zai technology as compared to men (38%). Among women farmers, total cultivated land, access to animal-drawn farm implements, and group membership had an influence on zai technology choice. For men, total cultivated land, group membership and access to extension services positively influenced choice of zai technology. With regard to zai technology use-intensity, total land cultivated, livestock densities, group membership and frequency of trainings on soil and water management were important determinants among women farmers. For men, zai technology use-intensity was determined by total cultivated land and farmers’ perceptions on soil erosion. We recommend that, gender-sensitive farm-level policies oriented towards farmer socioeconomic profiles are important deliberations towards choice and intense application of soil and water conservation strategies such as the zai technology., Male-headed households, Female-headed households, Choice, Heckman-two-step selection model.

Mammal populations in Arabuko-Sokoke Forest, Kenya, provide an important source of protein and income for local communities. The harvested biomass in 1991 was over 350 kg/km2, and the economic value of the harvest was over 1.3 million KShs (approximately US$35,000). Bushpigs, aardvarks, and primates comprise 95% of the harvested biomass, but the main prey in terms of number of animals killed (35% of total) was the four-toed elephant shrew (Petrodomus tetradactylus). Trapping is concentrated on the periphery of the forest and reduces densities of four-toed elephant shrews within 1–2 km of the forest edge by 41%, squirrels by 66%, and Syke's monkeys by 55%. Yellow baboons (Papio cynocephalus), Syke's monkeys (Cercopithecus mitis), and the larger ungulates are also hunted with dogs throughout the forest. The results of our study suggest that yellow baboons and Syke's monkeys are overharvested, and current offtake rates of elephant shrews, squirrels, and duikers (Cephalophus spp.) are sustainable. Overharvesting has reduced the densities of large ungulates, including bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus) and buffalo (Syncerus caffer), to low levels. Differences in reproductive rates, abundance, population, dispersion, ease of capture, and relative vulnerability to hunting, as compared to trapping, influence the extent to which different prey species are affected by harvesting. Caza de subsistencia en la selva de Arabuko-Sokoke, en Kenia, y sus efectos sobra las poblaciones de mamiferos Resumen: Las poblaciones de mamiferos de la selva de Arabuko-Sokoke, en Kenia constituyen una importante fuente de proteinas e ingresos para las comunidades locales. La biomasa cosechada en 1991 estuvo por encima de los 350 kg/km2 y el valor economico de la cosecha estuvo por encima de los 1.3 millones de KShs (unos USS35,000 aproximadamente). Los cerdos salvajes, edentados y primates comprendieron el 95% de la biomasa cosechada, pero la presa principal en terminos del numero de animales muertos (35% del total) fue la musarana elefante Petrodomus tetradactylus. El uso de trampas se concentra en la periferia de la selva y reduce las densidades de P. tetradactylus en un 41% dentro de los 1–2 km del borde de la selva, tambien reduce la densidad de ardillas en un 66% y la densidad de los monos de Syke. Papio cynocephalus en un 55%, Cercopithecus mitis y los grandes ungulados tambien son cazados usando perros en toda la extension de la selva. Los resultados de nuestros estudios sugieren que los P. cynocephalus C. mitis estan siendo sobreexplotados y que las tasas actuales captura de P. tetradactylus, ardillas y Cephalophus spp. son sostenibles. La sobreexplotacion ha reducido las densidades de los grandes ungulados, incluyendo Tragelaphus scriptus y Syncerus caffer a niveles bajos. El grado en que las diferentes presas son afectadas por la cosecha es afectado por las diferencias en las tasas reproductivas, la abundancia, la dispersion poblacional, la facilidad de captura y la vulnerabilidad relativa a la caza, en comparacion con el entrampamiento.

Over 1000 local households hunt and trap a wide range of mammal species from Arabuko-Sokoke Forest, Kenya, including elephant-shrews, small rodents, bushpigs, duikers and two species of primate. Patterns of harvesting have changed over time: in particular the overall intensity has increased as a result of human population increases and a decline in wildlife habitat; different species are now targeted; and there has been an increase in trapping, particularly at the edge of the forest, and a decline in hunting. The available evidence suggests that primates and large ungulates are over-harvested, while current offtake rates of elephant-shrews, squirrels, bushpigs and duikers are probably sustainable. Species which are hunted, rather than trapped, are particularly vulnerable to overharvesting. While game meat harvesting is important for local people, both as a source of protein and to reduce crop raiding, over-harvesting will threaten mammal populations and reduce the biodiversity value of Arabuko-Sokoke. One possible solution may be to maintain the ban on hunting while allowing trapping on the forest periphery to continue, reducing the pressure on primates and large ungulates, and still allowing people to harvest the smaller species and control crop raiding.

This report attempts to fill that gap for two of the most important water-related issues facing the effects of climate variability and the steady degradation of the nation's water resources. The study reported here concluded that the El Niño-La Niña episode from 1997-2000 cost the country Ksh 290 billion (about 14 percent of GDP during that period). During El Niño-induced floods, this cost primarily arises from destruction of infrastructure such as roads, water supply infrastructure, and pipe networks. The largest costs incurred during the La Niña droughts (1998-2000) were from loss of industrial production and other costs arising from reduced hydropower generation, as well as from crop and livestock losses. These costs are felt throughout Kenyan society.

Foreign firms in Kenya have played a major role in enhancing economic growth in the agriculture sector, especially in floriculture and horticulture. Over a long period of time, foreign direct investment (FDI) has been found to create many externalities in the Kenyan economy in the form of benefits available through transfers of general knowledge, specific technologies in production and distribution, industrial upgrading, work experience for the labor force and the establishment of finance-related and trading networks, and the upgrading of telecommunications services. The purpose of this study was to address the role of foreign direct investment on technology transfer and economic growth in Kenya, with a focus on the energy sector in Nairobi focusing on the period between 2001 and 2014. This study adopted a descriptive and inferential survey design. The target population for this study was 60 senior managers composing of directors and managers from Kenya Power and Kengen. Questionnaires were used to collect primary data. The study established that there is a relationship between foreign direct investment variables of infrastructure, technology diffusion, trade facilitation, knowledge management, and technology transfer and economic growth. The study found that investment in the energy sector has led to new technology in the country as it has transferred technology to local investors through sharing of knowledge in new innovation in production, research, and development and also has led to increased competition in trading which has resulted in efficiency and effectiveness of the industry. A major implication of this study is that policy makers must devise policies that would create an enabling environment for attracting FDIs in order to facilitate technology transfer and hence economic growth.