Agricultural Economics and Rural development

Measurement is often intuitively defined as the assignment of numerals to objects or persons according to a rule. It enables researchers to verify the true nature or characteristics of an object or person in order to make a decision and draw a relationship to other objects or persons in a social set up. The study was designed to develop a scale to measure innovativeness of dairy entrepreneurship. Quota sampling was used to select 72 judges who were experts in dairy, veterinary extension, agricultural economics and agricultural extension. Their opinions were sought through use of questionnaire sent by mails and physical contacts. Six steps were used for the construction of the scale namely: (1) Definition of the trait (2) Collection of large pool of statements, (3) Statements editing, (4) Statements analysis, (5) Scale reliability and validity and (5) final scale development. The scale was developed using Likert's Summated Rating Scale Technique. The validity of the scale was exa...

The majority of smallholder maize farmers in the study area depend on farming whose returns are very low. This, together with low soil fertility and the inability of farmers to purchase chemical fertilizers, has resulted in the undertaking of research on non-conventional fertilizers, mainly organic fertilizers, by researchers in research institutions, universities, and NGOs. Researchers have registered high yield responses to the use of non-conventional fertilizers in demonstration farms and extension agents have been tasked with promoting the use of the fertilizers. Studies have shown that emphasis was put on informing farmers of the ability of the fertilizers to improve yields. Despite the high yields in research settings, smallholder farmers have continued to witness low crop yields. This begs the question, why was this the case? The purpose of this study was to analyze the promoted non-conventional fertilizers with the aim of determining whether there were significant profitability differences between their use and the use of inorganic fertilizers among smallholder farmers. The objective of this study was to carry out a comparative profitability analysis of the commonly used fertilizers, namely: inorganic fertilizers, farmyard, compost, agroforestry, and Thithonia difersifolia promoted in the study area. Stratified random sampling was used to select 150 respondents from Vihiga County, Kenya. Farmers were stratified into five strata based on the type of fertilizer that the farmers used, and at least 30 farmers were selected from each strata. Primary data was collected using questionnaires and the data collected was analyzed using net present value and gross margins. The results of the evaluation of the technologies on food production indicated that there were significant profitability differences at a 5% level between the use of nonconventional fertilizers and that of inorganic fertilizers. The study recommended that farmers be educated on the economics of the use of non-conventional fertilizers in order to enable them to select the most economically efficient technology. An economic analysis should also be done to determine the profitability of the use of non-conventional fertilizers on high-value crops such as vegetables and fruits. Maize/bean intercrop formed the basis of profitability analyses in this study because most farmers used them on the maize/ bean intercrop. Net present value profitability analysis should also be done on the use of organic materials on perennial crops such as fruits.

This Field attachment report captures the complexity and diversity of the Student’s main objectives for the attachment exercise and the Attaché’s assigned routine duties and department’s participation forums at James Finlays Kenya Limited JKF. It builds upon the organization and background of James Finlays Kenya limited, History of the organization, Main functions or core activities of the host organization, mission vision, core values, and Products of James Finlay Kenya Limited which evidence for the economic analysis of the main concerns necessary to achieve development and sustainable goals.
It is organized into four chapters which include an introduction, background information of the company, Chemise estate, and Evaluation of the attachment period under the third chapter we focus on the specific department the student was attached to during the attachment period. Also under the same part, we check on the key activities of the estate which include tea plucking or harvesting, gum cultivation and organic fertilizer: compost manure making and application among other things which include sections at the estate: tea nursery section, pruning and tipping, compost making and application, plucking and weighing, record-keeping department, tea delivery and processing, security department, garage and store, fuel station and certification standard section.
In the last chapter that is chapter four, we focus on the evaluation of the attachment period that includes success and failures visa vie the students' objectives, challenges encountered during the attachment period, benefits derived from the attachment which is divided into three sections that are to Maseno University, Students Attaché and James Finlays Kenya Limited conclusion, and recommendation.
The main purpose of the field attachment at Maseno University is to produce practically oriented graduates that meet the job-related competence of their future employers. Additionally, it serves as the linkage between the university and the various partners who consume the services of the university. The specific objectives of the field attachment program are discussed in this report.
The Industrial attachments are the major factors in the faculty of Agriculture and Food security. It is mandatory and helps students gain experience in their various field of study. Students are required to acquire additional practical experience to supplement their course of study in the university. The attachment went done in 10 uninterrupted weeks.

This Field attachment report captures the complexity and diversity of the Student’s main objectives for the attachment exercise and the Attaché’s assigned routine duties and department’s participation forums at James Finlays Kenya Limited JKF. It builds upon organization and background of James Finlays Kenya limited, History of the organization, Main functions or core activities of the host organization, mission vision, core values and Products of James Finlay Kenya Limited which evidence for the economic analysis of the main concerns necessary to achieve development and sustainable goals.