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Research paper thumbnail of Does intervention in African indigenous vegetables value chain improve production and welfare outcomes? Evidence from western Kenya

Journal of Agriculture, Science and Technology

African Indigenous Vegetables (AIVs) are increasingly recognized as essential for sustainable die... more African Indigenous Vegetables (AIVs) are increasingly recognized as essential for sustainable dietary diversification in the predominantly cereal-based staple diets. The AIVs also provide employment opportunities and generate income for the rural populations. Many initiatives by researchers and development agencies have promoted the AIVs value chains in Kenya. However, little evidence exists on impact of the initiatives on farm households. Several studies have examined impact of agricultural interventions based on observational data. The findings from such studies are likely to be influenced by unobserved attributes, resulting in a biased estimation of causal relationships between interventions and impacts. We conducted a clusterrandomized controlled trial to estimate the unbiased impacts of a multifaceted intervention that focused on production, consumption nutrition behavior change communication, and linking farmers to markets in selected AIV value chains (cowpea, spider pla...

Research paper thumbnail of Participatory on-farm selection of sweetpotato varieties in western Kenya

African Crop Science Journal, 2001

ABSTRACT Sweetpotato production in western Kenya is constrained by widespread use of low yielding... more ABSTRACT Sweetpotato production in western Kenya is constrained by widespread use of low yielding and late maturing traditional varieties. Studies conducted at several sites in Kenya between 1994 and 1996 identified some potential varieties for production in different sweetpotato growing agro-ecologies in western Kenya. The objective of this study was to assess the performance of the selected varieties under farmer management conditions. Four sweetpotato varieties Mugande, SPK013, SPK004 and Kemb 10 were evaluated by farmers at four clusters of trial sites between 1997 and 1999. Information on yield, taste and farmer acceptance was obtained at each trial site. Varieties Mugande, SPK013 and Kemb 10 performed better than the local check 'Mar Ooko' at all sites. Mugande and Kemb 10 had a wide adaptation while SPK013 yielded well in the Upper Midland high potential areas of western Kenya.

Research paper thumbnail of Perspectives on prospects and constraints to adoption of SIMLESA technical and institutional innovations in high and low potential areas of Kenya

Research paper thumbnail of Assessment of Seed Quality of Selected African Leafy Vegetables Produced in Western Kenya using informal and semi-formal seed systems

Seed quality is an important determinant in field performance and marketable yields of crop produ... more Seed quality is an important determinant in field performance and marketable yields of crop production. Low quality and small quantities of available seeds are major constraints in African leafy vegetable (ALV) production and limit the ability to provide farmers more options for growing health food. Capacity building was done through the Horticultural Innovation Lab, programme to assist farmer groups to produce quality ALV seed using the semi-informal seed system (SSS) for the dissemination of five newly released, high yielding improved ALV varieties. The ALVs seed plots were monitored by programme implementers during seed production. Thereafter, to determine the quality of ALVs seed produced through the SSS, seed samples of African nightshade (Solanum scabrum), spider plant (Cleome gynandra) and amaranth (Amaranth cruentus) were collected from farmer group members in Nandi South and Busia Counties. Another set of seed samples of the same species of vegetables produced through the Informal seed system (ISS), were sourced from the local market in Kakamega for quality comparison with seeds from the SSS.

Research paper thumbnail of Assessment of Seed Quality of Selected African Leafy Vegetables Produced in Western Kenya using informal and semi-formal seed systems

Seed quality is an important determinant in field performance and marketable yields of crop produ... more Seed quality is an important determinant in field performance and marketable yields of crop production. Low quality and small quantities of available seeds are major constraints in African leafy vegetable (ALV) production and limit the ability to provide farmers more options for growing health food. Capacity building was done through the Horticultural Innovation Lab, programme to assist farmer groups to produce quality ALV seed using the semi-informal seed system (SSS) for the dissemination of five newly released, high yielding improved ALV varieties. The ALVs seed plots were monitored by programme implementers during seed production. Thereafter, to determine the quality of ALVs seed produced through the SSS, seed samples of African nightshade (Solanum scabrum), spider plant (Cleome gynandra) and amaranth (Amaranth cruentus) were collected from farmer group members in Nandi South and Busia Counties. Another set of seed samples of the same species of vegetables produced through the Informal seed system (ISS), were sourced from the local market in Kakamega for quality comparison with seeds from the SSS.

Research paper thumbnail of Formal and Informal Seed Systems in Kenya: Supporting Indigenous Vegetable Seed Quality

The Journal of Development Studies, 2017

Research paper thumbnail of Barriers and Facilitators in Preparation and Consumption of African Indigenous Vegetables: A Qualitative Exploration From Kenya

Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 2022

Malnutrition and food security continue to be major concerns in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). In West... more Malnutrition and food security continue to be major concerns in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). In Western Kenya, it is estimated that the double burden of malnutrition impacts 19% of adults and 13–17% of households. One potential solution to help address the concern is increased consumption of nutrient-dense African Indigenous Vegetables (AIVs). The objectives of this study were to: (i) document current methods used for preparation and consumption of AIVs; (ii) identify barriers and facilitators of AIVs consumption and preparation; and (iii) identify a package of interventions to increase the consumption of AIVs to promote healthy diets. This study used qualitative data collected from 145 individual farmers (78 female and 67 male) in 14 focus group discussions (FGDs) using a semi-structured survey instrument. Most farmers reported that they prepared AIVs using the traditional method of boiling and/or pan-cooking with oil, tomato, and onion. However, there were large discrepancies between...

Research paper thumbnail of Assessment of Seed Quality of Selected African Leafy Vegetables Produced in Western Kenya using informal and semi-formal seed systems

Research paper thumbnail of Profitability Analysis of Traditional African Vegetable Seeds Production in Kenya

Research paper thumbnail of Performances of Vegetable Amaranth Entries in Yield and Nutrient Contents in Tanzania and Kenya, and Variety Release

Research paper thumbnail of Participatory Farmer Evaluation of Selected African Indigenous Vegetables for Enhanced Food and Nutrition Security in Western Kenya

Research paper thumbnail of Improving income and nutrition of smallholder farmers in Eastern Africa using a market-first science-driven approach to enhance value chain production of African indigenous vegetables

The prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies continues to remain alarmingly high in subSaharan Af... more The prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies continues to remain alarmingly high in subSaharan Africa. One potential solution to undernutrition is to promote the consumption of African Indigenous Vegetables (AIVs) that are rich in vitamin A, iron, zinc and other healthpromoting phytochemicals. However, due to limited advances in agronomic practices, seed development, available improved varieties, and access to these indigenous plants in the marketplace, work was needed to drive AIVs into the formal marketplace to meet consumer demand. This paper summarizes the research and activities of a diverse group of stakeholders and researchers who came together to improve research, management, production, distribution, and consumption of nutritious AIVs in Eastern Simon et al.: Improving Income and Nutrition of Smallholder Farmers in Eastern

Research paper thumbnail of Participatory Variety Selection of Three African Leafy Vegetables in Western Kenya

Research paper thumbnail of The Genetic Diversity of Popular African Leafy Vegetables in Western Kenya

Sustainable Development and Biodiversity

Research paper thumbnail of Does intervention in African indigenous vegetables value chain improve production and welfare outcomes? Evidence from western Kenya

Journal of Agriculture, Science and Technology

African Indigenous Vegetables (AIVs) are increasingly recognized as essential for sustainable die... more African Indigenous Vegetables (AIVs) are increasingly recognized as essential for sustainable dietary diversification in the predominantly cereal-based staple diets. The AIVs also provide employment opportunities and generate income for the rural populations. Many initiatives by researchers and development agencies have promoted the AIVs value chains in Kenya. However, little evidence exists on impact of the initiatives on farm households. Several studies have examined impact of agricultural interventions based on observational data. The findings from such studies are likely to be influenced by unobserved attributes, resulting in a biased estimation of causal relationships between interventions and impacts. We conducted a clusterrandomized controlled trial to estimate the unbiased impacts of a multifaceted intervention that focused on production, consumption nutrition behavior change communication, and linking farmers to markets in selected AIV value chains (cowpea, spider pla...

Research paper thumbnail of Participatory on-farm selection of sweetpotato varieties in western Kenya

African Crop Science Journal, 2001

ABSTRACT Sweetpotato production in western Kenya is constrained by widespread use of low yielding... more ABSTRACT Sweetpotato production in western Kenya is constrained by widespread use of low yielding and late maturing traditional varieties. Studies conducted at several sites in Kenya between 1994 and 1996 identified some potential varieties for production in different sweetpotato growing agro-ecologies in western Kenya. The objective of this study was to assess the performance of the selected varieties under farmer management conditions. Four sweetpotato varieties Mugande, SPK013, SPK004 and Kemb 10 were evaluated by farmers at four clusters of trial sites between 1997 and 1999. Information on yield, taste and farmer acceptance was obtained at each trial site. Varieties Mugande, SPK013 and Kemb 10 performed better than the local check 'Mar Ooko' at all sites. Mugande and Kemb 10 had a wide adaptation while SPK013 yielded well in the Upper Midland high potential areas of western Kenya.

Research paper thumbnail of Perspectives on prospects and constraints to adoption of SIMLESA technical and institutional innovations in high and low potential areas of Kenya

Research paper thumbnail of Assessment of Seed Quality of Selected African Leafy Vegetables Produced in Western Kenya using informal and semi-formal seed systems

Seed quality is an important determinant in field performance and marketable yields of crop produ... more Seed quality is an important determinant in field performance and marketable yields of crop production. Low quality and small quantities of available seeds are major constraints in African leafy vegetable (ALV) production and limit the ability to provide farmers more options for growing health food. Capacity building was done through the Horticultural Innovation Lab, programme to assist farmer groups to produce quality ALV seed using the semi-informal seed system (SSS) for the dissemination of five newly released, high yielding improved ALV varieties. The ALVs seed plots were monitored by programme implementers during seed production. Thereafter, to determine the quality of ALVs seed produced through the SSS, seed samples of African nightshade (Solanum scabrum), spider plant (Cleome gynandra) and amaranth (Amaranth cruentus) were collected from farmer group members in Nandi South and Busia Counties. Another set of seed samples of the same species of vegetables produced through the Informal seed system (ISS), were sourced from the local market in Kakamega for quality comparison with seeds from the SSS.

Research paper thumbnail of Assessment of Seed Quality of Selected African Leafy Vegetables Produced in Western Kenya using informal and semi-formal seed systems

Seed quality is an important determinant in field performance and marketable yields of crop produ... more Seed quality is an important determinant in field performance and marketable yields of crop production. Low quality and small quantities of available seeds are major constraints in African leafy vegetable (ALV) production and limit the ability to provide farmers more options for growing health food. Capacity building was done through the Horticultural Innovation Lab, programme to assist farmer groups to produce quality ALV seed using the semi-informal seed system (SSS) for the dissemination of five newly released, high yielding improved ALV varieties. The ALVs seed plots were monitored by programme implementers during seed production. Thereafter, to determine the quality of ALVs seed produced through the SSS, seed samples of African nightshade (Solanum scabrum), spider plant (Cleome gynandra) and amaranth (Amaranth cruentus) were collected from farmer group members in Nandi South and Busia Counties. Another set of seed samples of the same species of vegetables produced through the Informal seed system (ISS), were sourced from the local market in Kakamega for quality comparison with seeds from the SSS.

Research paper thumbnail of Formal and Informal Seed Systems in Kenya: Supporting Indigenous Vegetable Seed Quality

The Journal of Development Studies, 2017

Research paper thumbnail of Barriers and Facilitators in Preparation and Consumption of African Indigenous Vegetables: A Qualitative Exploration From Kenya

Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 2022

Malnutrition and food security continue to be major concerns in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). In West... more Malnutrition and food security continue to be major concerns in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). In Western Kenya, it is estimated that the double burden of malnutrition impacts 19% of adults and 13–17% of households. One potential solution to help address the concern is increased consumption of nutrient-dense African Indigenous Vegetables (AIVs). The objectives of this study were to: (i) document current methods used for preparation and consumption of AIVs; (ii) identify barriers and facilitators of AIVs consumption and preparation; and (iii) identify a package of interventions to increase the consumption of AIVs to promote healthy diets. This study used qualitative data collected from 145 individual farmers (78 female and 67 male) in 14 focus group discussions (FGDs) using a semi-structured survey instrument. Most farmers reported that they prepared AIVs using the traditional method of boiling and/or pan-cooking with oil, tomato, and onion. However, there were large discrepancies between...

Research paper thumbnail of Assessment of Seed Quality of Selected African Leafy Vegetables Produced in Western Kenya using informal and semi-formal seed systems

Research paper thumbnail of Profitability Analysis of Traditional African Vegetable Seeds Production in Kenya

Research paper thumbnail of Performances of Vegetable Amaranth Entries in Yield and Nutrient Contents in Tanzania and Kenya, and Variety Release

Research paper thumbnail of Participatory Farmer Evaluation of Selected African Indigenous Vegetables for Enhanced Food and Nutrition Security in Western Kenya

Research paper thumbnail of Improving income and nutrition of smallholder farmers in Eastern Africa using a market-first science-driven approach to enhance value chain production of African indigenous vegetables

The prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies continues to remain alarmingly high in subSaharan Af... more The prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies continues to remain alarmingly high in subSaharan Africa. One potential solution to undernutrition is to promote the consumption of African Indigenous Vegetables (AIVs) that are rich in vitamin A, iron, zinc and other healthpromoting phytochemicals. However, due to limited advances in agronomic practices, seed development, available improved varieties, and access to these indigenous plants in the marketplace, work was needed to drive AIVs into the formal marketplace to meet consumer demand. This paper summarizes the research and activities of a diverse group of stakeholders and researchers who came together to improve research, management, production, distribution, and consumption of nutritious AIVs in Eastern Simon et al.: Improving Income and Nutrition of Smallholder Farmers in Eastern

Research paper thumbnail of Participatory Variety Selection of Three African Leafy Vegetables in Western Kenya

Research paper thumbnail of The Genetic Diversity of Popular African Leafy Vegetables in Western Kenya

Sustainable Development and Biodiversity