Jessica Ndubi - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by Jessica Ndubi
American journal of gender and development studies, May 30, 2024
Sustainability
Miraa (Catha edulis forsk) farming is a major income earner in Kenya, but until recently, it was ... more Miraa (Catha edulis forsk) farming is a major income earner in Kenya, but until recently, it was not scheduled as a priority crop in the country. Consequently, no gender research to identify men and women issues with the purpose of designing gender-responsive solutions for increased productivity has ever been conducted on the crop value chain. The main objective of the study was to examine gender issues in miraa production and marketing activities in Kenya. Data were collected using multiple methods. These included a formal survey that covered 962 households, key informants’ interviews, focused group discussions and a literature review. The household data were analyzed through descriptive statistics using SPSS Version 20 software. The Harvard theoretical framework was used to structure the analysis. The main findings indicate that women have less access to production resources such as land and extension services than men. Moreover, men performed almost all crop activities. Men also ...
Asian Journal of Agricultural Extension, Economics & Sociology, 2021
This study assessed the status and factors influencing access of extension and advisory services ... more This study assessed the status and factors influencing access of extension and advisory services (EAS) for forage production among smallholder dairy farmers in Kenya. Using a multistage stratified random sampling, data were collected from 316 and 313 farmers in Kangundo sub-County and Kirinyaga Counties of Kenya, respectively. The intensity of dairy farming formed the basis of selection of the study areas. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression model. Results indicated that, overall the proportion of farmers who accessed EAS on forage production in Kirinyaga (26.4%) was double that of Kangundo (13.6%). Government was the main provider of EAS on forage production and accounted for between 73 to 90% of services in Kangundo and 54 to 81% in Kirinyaga. The main channels for accessing EAS in both sites were trainings (29 - 31%) and field days (22 - 30%). Overall, majority of farmers (71 - 73%) were satisfied with the information and services th...
Past and ongoing efforts in the three functions of the agricultural sector, namely; research, edu... more Past and ongoing efforts in the three functions of the agricultural sector, namely; research, education and outreach in SSA, have not had the desired impacts of transforming the agricultural systems and impacting livelihoods. This discrepancy is attributed to weak linkages in the agricultural research-extension-education nexus. ICT offers an excellent opportunity for improved coordination across the agricultural nexus, bridging the information gap, sharing information and creation of knowledge. This paper highlights efforts by partners from institutions, in the north and south, with mandates in agricultural research, extension and education networking towards building a common vision for designing and implementing an ICT-based system for effective coordination amongst NARS institutions initially in Uganda and Kenya then in eastern and southern Africa for sustainable agricultural development. The experiences have been generated in agricultural distance learning, information dissemination amongst stakeholders, and strengthening rural innovations. Piloting of e-distance learningbased strengthening of agricultural and environmental capacities by a consortium of north and south institutions has demonstrated that challenges notwithstanding, it offers a viable alternative for lowering education costs, increasing professional retention and keeping trainees within their professional and home environments. The linkages between NARS
The opinions expressed in this paper do not necessarily reflect those of DFID. We are happy for t... more The opinions expressed in this paper do not necessarily reflect those of DFID. We are happy for this material to be reproduced on a not-for-profit basis. The Network Coordinator would appreciate receiving details of any use of this material in training, research or programme design, implementation or evaluation.
Communication for Rural Innovation
In Kenya, bananas and Irish potatoes are important staple crops. In the early 1990s, the crops we... more In Kenya, bananas and Irish potatoes are important staple crops. In the early 1990s, the crops were devastated by plant diseases resulting in immensely declined productivity and vulnerability of smallholder farmers. To address this problem, disease resistant varieties and tissue culture technology were introduced through partnerships. This thesis examines the working of these partnerships in the process of selecting, multiplying and disseminating improved planting materials under changeable and sometimes unanticipated social and material conditions, and whether this enabled technical change. The study describes how partnerships shape and manage technical change and how distributed task groups coordinate their actions. Partnerships organise and set in motion an evolving chain of sequential socio-technical practices, which incrementally generate technical change. Hence, partnerships are more than just an organisational tool for resource augmentation. Making partnerships work requires ...
Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development in the Tropics and Subtropics, 2021
Feed scarcity is one of the major challenges affecting smallholder dairy production in Kenya. For... more Feed scarcity is one of the major challenges affecting smallholder dairy production in Kenya. Forages are the foundation of livestock nutritional requirements; forage diversification and fertiliser are intensification options that can increase productivity. A sample of 316 and 313 smallholder farmers were surveyed in eastern midlands and central highlands of Kenya, respectively, to establish the types of forages cultivated and the factors that influence fertiliser adoption in Napier grass ( Cenchrus purpureus Schumach.) production. Independent t -tests were applied to compare the effect of continuous variables on social economic and institutional characteristics between adopters and non-adopters on fertiliser and area allocated to different forages. Chi-square tests were used to compare nominal variables for the proportion of farmers growing different forages, criteria they consider in selection of suitable forages, and social economic and institutional characteristics of adopters a...
Higher Education Institutions (HEI) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are in crisis. The capacities of ... more Higher Education Institutions (HEI) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are in crisis. The capacities of institutions to maintain quality is often undermined by declining funding, brain drain, deteriorating infrastructure, civil disorder, and massive expansion of undergraduate enrolment. Graduates are ill-prepared to meet the demands of the employers in the global market and to address the needs and priorities of the local communities. Past models (U.S. Land grant universities-1960s &1970s and State Agricultural University, India-1980s), introduced in African universities to overcome the persistent challenges facing agriculture higher education by increasing efficiency and effectiveness through enhanced connectivity between education, research and extension functions, failed. An EDULINK project “Strengthening of university capacity for promoting, facilitating and teaching rural innovation processes (SUCAPRI) has been conceived to address this issue through south-to-south and south-to-north
All CAPRi Working Papers are available for download from the CAPRi web site at
This paper examines the performance of rural groups in Kenya and addresses the methodological iss... more This paper examines the performance of rural groups in Kenya and addresses the methodological issues and challenges faced in doing this, and presents the empirical evidence regarding various hypothesized explanatory factors for relative performance levels.... The findings highlight the incredible number, diversity and dynamic nature of groups in the highlands of Kenya (and we suspect this finding is not terribly unique to this region).
Uganda policy of poverty eradication under overall guidance of Poverty Eradication Action Plan (P... more Uganda policy of poverty eradication under overall guidance of Poverty Eradication Action Plan (PEAP) and Plan for Modernization of Agriculture (PMA) calls for high value enterprises that can have high return to investment for the farmers. National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) and its development partners has been having rigorous priority setting exercises to identify agro-enterprises that can lead to rapid reduction of poverty levels especially at rural households level. It is against this background that apple were selected for introduction and promotion in the highland agroecological environments of Uganda. Apples (Malus domestica (L), a temperate crop are a new agroenterprise in the highland agroecological environments of Uganda. Between 1999 and 2004, Forestry Research Institute (FORI) of National Agricultural Research Organisation of Uganda (NARO) and International Centre for Research in Agroforestry (ICRAF) initiated first trials of several temperate fruits inclu...
Agricultural Systems
This paper examines the performance of rural-based community groups in Central Kenya and addresse... more This paper examines the performance of rural-based community groups in Central Kenya and addresses the methodological issues and challenges faced in doing this. Performance measures included subjective and objective ratings of success, including more objectively verifiable measures at household and group levels, derived from a survey of 87 groups and 442 households within four sites. Empirical evidence regarding explanatory factors for relative performance levels is presented using a special sample of 40 groups involved in tree nursery activities, with both descriptive analysis and regression models.Collective action is desired and practised for many tasks. The incredible number, diversity and dynamic nature of groups make it difficult to standardise and measure achievement. Choice and level of performance measures matters in explaining differences in group achievement. Focusing on groups undertaking similar activities allows deeper analysis of performance drivers. Examining differe...
American journal of gender and development studies, May 30, 2024
Sustainability
Miraa (Catha edulis forsk) farming is a major income earner in Kenya, but until recently, it was ... more Miraa (Catha edulis forsk) farming is a major income earner in Kenya, but until recently, it was not scheduled as a priority crop in the country. Consequently, no gender research to identify men and women issues with the purpose of designing gender-responsive solutions for increased productivity has ever been conducted on the crop value chain. The main objective of the study was to examine gender issues in miraa production and marketing activities in Kenya. Data were collected using multiple methods. These included a formal survey that covered 962 households, key informants’ interviews, focused group discussions and a literature review. The household data were analyzed through descriptive statistics using SPSS Version 20 software. The Harvard theoretical framework was used to structure the analysis. The main findings indicate that women have less access to production resources such as land and extension services than men. Moreover, men performed almost all crop activities. Men also ...
Asian Journal of Agricultural Extension, Economics & Sociology, 2021
This study assessed the status and factors influencing access of extension and advisory services ... more This study assessed the status and factors influencing access of extension and advisory services (EAS) for forage production among smallholder dairy farmers in Kenya. Using a multistage stratified random sampling, data were collected from 316 and 313 farmers in Kangundo sub-County and Kirinyaga Counties of Kenya, respectively. The intensity of dairy farming formed the basis of selection of the study areas. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression model. Results indicated that, overall the proportion of farmers who accessed EAS on forage production in Kirinyaga (26.4%) was double that of Kangundo (13.6%). Government was the main provider of EAS on forage production and accounted for between 73 to 90% of services in Kangundo and 54 to 81% in Kirinyaga. The main channels for accessing EAS in both sites were trainings (29 - 31%) and field days (22 - 30%). Overall, majority of farmers (71 - 73%) were satisfied with the information and services th...
Past and ongoing efforts in the three functions of the agricultural sector, namely; research, edu... more Past and ongoing efforts in the three functions of the agricultural sector, namely; research, education and outreach in SSA, have not had the desired impacts of transforming the agricultural systems and impacting livelihoods. This discrepancy is attributed to weak linkages in the agricultural research-extension-education nexus. ICT offers an excellent opportunity for improved coordination across the agricultural nexus, bridging the information gap, sharing information and creation of knowledge. This paper highlights efforts by partners from institutions, in the north and south, with mandates in agricultural research, extension and education networking towards building a common vision for designing and implementing an ICT-based system for effective coordination amongst NARS institutions initially in Uganda and Kenya then in eastern and southern Africa for sustainable agricultural development. The experiences have been generated in agricultural distance learning, information dissemination amongst stakeholders, and strengthening rural innovations. Piloting of e-distance learningbased strengthening of agricultural and environmental capacities by a consortium of north and south institutions has demonstrated that challenges notwithstanding, it offers a viable alternative for lowering education costs, increasing professional retention and keeping trainees within their professional and home environments. The linkages between NARS
The opinions expressed in this paper do not necessarily reflect those of DFID. We are happy for t... more The opinions expressed in this paper do not necessarily reflect those of DFID. We are happy for this material to be reproduced on a not-for-profit basis. The Network Coordinator would appreciate receiving details of any use of this material in training, research or programme design, implementation or evaluation.
Communication for Rural Innovation
In Kenya, bananas and Irish potatoes are important staple crops. In the early 1990s, the crops we... more In Kenya, bananas and Irish potatoes are important staple crops. In the early 1990s, the crops were devastated by plant diseases resulting in immensely declined productivity and vulnerability of smallholder farmers. To address this problem, disease resistant varieties and tissue culture technology were introduced through partnerships. This thesis examines the working of these partnerships in the process of selecting, multiplying and disseminating improved planting materials under changeable and sometimes unanticipated social and material conditions, and whether this enabled technical change. The study describes how partnerships shape and manage technical change and how distributed task groups coordinate their actions. Partnerships organise and set in motion an evolving chain of sequential socio-technical practices, which incrementally generate technical change. Hence, partnerships are more than just an organisational tool for resource augmentation. Making partnerships work requires ...
Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development in the Tropics and Subtropics, 2021
Feed scarcity is one of the major challenges affecting smallholder dairy production in Kenya. For... more Feed scarcity is one of the major challenges affecting smallholder dairy production in Kenya. Forages are the foundation of livestock nutritional requirements; forage diversification and fertiliser are intensification options that can increase productivity. A sample of 316 and 313 smallholder farmers were surveyed in eastern midlands and central highlands of Kenya, respectively, to establish the types of forages cultivated and the factors that influence fertiliser adoption in Napier grass ( Cenchrus purpureus Schumach.) production. Independent t -tests were applied to compare the effect of continuous variables on social economic and institutional characteristics between adopters and non-adopters on fertiliser and area allocated to different forages. Chi-square tests were used to compare nominal variables for the proportion of farmers growing different forages, criteria they consider in selection of suitable forages, and social economic and institutional characteristics of adopters a...
Higher Education Institutions (HEI) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are in crisis. The capacities of ... more Higher Education Institutions (HEI) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are in crisis. The capacities of institutions to maintain quality is often undermined by declining funding, brain drain, deteriorating infrastructure, civil disorder, and massive expansion of undergraduate enrolment. Graduates are ill-prepared to meet the demands of the employers in the global market and to address the needs and priorities of the local communities. Past models (U.S. Land grant universities-1960s &1970s and State Agricultural University, India-1980s), introduced in African universities to overcome the persistent challenges facing agriculture higher education by increasing efficiency and effectiveness through enhanced connectivity between education, research and extension functions, failed. An EDULINK project “Strengthening of university capacity for promoting, facilitating and teaching rural innovation processes (SUCAPRI) has been conceived to address this issue through south-to-south and south-to-north
All CAPRi Working Papers are available for download from the CAPRi web site at
This paper examines the performance of rural groups in Kenya and addresses the methodological iss... more This paper examines the performance of rural groups in Kenya and addresses the methodological issues and challenges faced in doing this, and presents the empirical evidence regarding various hypothesized explanatory factors for relative performance levels.... The findings highlight the incredible number, diversity and dynamic nature of groups in the highlands of Kenya (and we suspect this finding is not terribly unique to this region).
Uganda policy of poverty eradication under overall guidance of Poverty Eradication Action Plan (P... more Uganda policy of poverty eradication under overall guidance of Poverty Eradication Action Plan (PEAP) and Plan for Modernization of Agriculture (PMA) calls for high value enterprises that can have high return to investment for the farmers. National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) and its development partners has been having rigorous priority setting exercises to identify agro-enterprises that can lead to rapid reduction of poverty levels especially at rural households level. It is against this background that apple were selected for introduction and promotion in the highland agroecological environments of Uganda. Apples (Malus domestica (L), a temperate crop are a new agroenterprise in the highland agroecological environments of Uganda. Between 1999 and 2004, Forestry Research Institute (FORI) of National Agricultural Research Organisation of Uganda (NARO) and International Centre for Research in Agroforestry (ICRAF) initiated first trials of several temperate fruits inclu...
Agricultural Systems
This paper examines the performance of rural-based community groups in Central Kenya and addresse... more This paper examines the performance of rural-based community groups in Central Kenya and addresses the methodological issues and challenges faced in doing this. Performance measures included subjective and objective ratings of success, including more objectively verifiable measures at household and group levels, derived from a survey of 87 groups and 442 households within four sites. Empirical evidence regarding explanatory factors for relative performance levels is presented using a special sample of 40 groups involved in tree nursery activities, with both descriptive analysis and regression models.Collective action is desired and practised for many tasks. The incredible number, diversity and dynamic nature of groups make it difficult to standardise and measure achievement. Choice and level of performance measures matters in explaining differences in group achievement. Focusing on groups undertaking similar activities allows deeper analysis of performance drivers. Examining differe...