Measurement is often intuitively defined as the assignment of numerals to objects or persons acco... more 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...
Dairy industry is poised to make significant strides toward a sustainable food system. Feeding th... more Dairy industry is poised to make significant strides toward a sustainable food system. Feeding the world efficiently and responsibly, while conserving the planet's natural resources, is a key sustainability challenge worldwide not only for dairy farmers but also for other food and agriculture sectors. In Kenya, smallhoder dairy commercialization programme's (SDCP) technical support component provided the beneficiary to the farmers with appropriate innovative technical skills and support to enable them to participate in and benefit fully from sustainable market-driven dairy enterprise. This study investigates utilisation of innovative dairy technologies initiated by SDCP for sustainable dairy enterprise development in Nyamira County, Kenya. The sample size was 220 smallholder farmers (109 men, 111 women; age range 27–77 years), which were drawn from 40 dairy groups in the programme area. Multistage sampling technique were employed. Interview schedule and focused group discussion were the main data collection methods. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics such as numerical counts, frequencies and percentages. The yes or no dichotomous was used to measure utilisation. The study reveals compost making (95.41%), polythene biogas digester (84.40%), organic fodder production-Tumbukiza (81.65%) and eco-milk packaging (74.77%) as most utilized dairy innovations among the respondents. Low cost market information system was the least utilised at 49.08%. The study recommends to the agricultural policy makers worldwide that the replication of these technologies among smallholder dairy farms so as to continue providing nutritious, hygienic and market-driven dairy products while optimising sustainable natural resource use. Digital application-low cost market information system, should be enhanced through professional groups to help address proliferation of unsubstantiated facts.
Dairy industry is poised to make significant strides toward a sustainable food system. Feeding th... more Dairy industry is poised to make significant strides toward a sustainable food system. Feeding the world efficiently and responsibly, while conserving the planet's natural resources, is a key sustainability challenge Worldwide not only for dairy farmers but also other food and agriculture sectors. The study investigated utilization of innovative dairy technologies initiated by Smallholder Dairy Commercialization Programme's (SDCP) for sustainable dairy enterprise development in Nyamira County, Kenya. The sample size was 220 (109 men, 111 women; age range 27 – 77 years) drawn from 40 dairy groups in the programme area. Systemic sampling was employed to identify the respondents for the study. Interview schedule and Focused Group Discussion (FGD) were the main data collection methods. Descriptive statistics was used for data analysis. The yes or no dichotomous was used to measure utilization. The study reveals that among the popular innovative dairy technologies were compost making (95.41%), Polythene Biogas Digester-PBD (84.40%), organic fodder production–Tumbukiza technology (81.65%) and green packaging (74.77%). Low Cost Market Information System (LCMIS) was not popular at 49.08 per cent. The study recommends to policy makers Worldwide the replication of these technologies among smallholder dairy farms to continue providing nutritious, hygienic and market-driven dairy products while optimizing sustainable natural resource use. Digital application (LCMIS) should be enhanced to facilitate sharing of market information through professional groups such as Agri-tech and Ukulima-tech in India and Kenya respectively so as to address proliferation of unsubstantiated facts.
Measurement is often intuitively defined as the assignment of numerals to objects or persons acco... more 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 examined with the help of face and content validity. Test retest method was used to test reliability. Cronbach's coefficient alpha of 0.8711 suggests the scale is reliable in measuring innovativeness of dairy entrepreneurial behavior. From an original pool of 88 statements the final scale was reduced to 34 items based on experts’ judgement.
ABSTRACT
To augment the incomes of smallholder farmers and, consequently improve their livelihood... more ABSTRACT To augment the incomes of smallholder farmers and, consequently improve their livelihood, many development organizations and policy makers are increasingly promoting dairy goat farming using group approach such as study circle (SC). Among the key organizations supporting this initiative in Kenya is Livelihood Improvements and Family Empowerment (LIFE) project. However, group characteristics influencing SC extension strategy on sustainable livelihood improvement of members have hardly been studied. This study investigated determinants of group characteristics on sustainable livelihood improvement of smallholder dairy goat farmers using study circle extension strategy in Nyando district, Kenya. The district was purposively selected because LIFE project had initiated dairy goat production using SC extension strategy. Data was collected using a pre-tested interview schedules administered to 110 respondents drawn from both SC and Non-Study Circle (NSC) farmers. Four group characteristics namely longevity, gender composition, networking capacity and cohesiveness of the groups were studied. Data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 16.0 program. Regression results show that group approach had improved the livelihood of dairy groups (SC) farmers, however, there was no significant contribution of the characteristics (R2 value = 0.078). The implication is that, these factors, in themselves, cannot be used to predict livelihood improvement through group approach. The study has, therefore, made a contribution to the practice and principles of group approach, not only in Kenya, but also other parts of the World.
Keywords: Group characteristics, dairy goat technologies, smallholder farmers, livelihood improvement, study circle extension strategy
Measurement is often intuitively defined as the assignment of numerals to objects or persons acco... more 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...
Dairy industry is poised to make significant strides toward a sustainable food system. Feeding th... more Dairy industry is poised to make significant strides toward a sustainable food system. Feeding the world efficiently and responsibly, while conserving the planet's natural resources, is a key sustainability challenge worldwide not only for dairy farmers but also for other food and agriculture sectors. In Kenya, smallhoder dairy commercialization programme's (SDCP) technical support component provided the beneficiary to the farmers with appropriate innovative technical skills and support to enable them to participate in and benefit fully from sustainable market-driven dairy enterprise. This study investigates utilisation of innovative dairy technologies initiated by SDCP for sustainable dairy enterprise development in Nyamira County, Kenya. The sample size was 220 smallholder farmers (109 men, 111 women; age range 27–77 years), which were drawn from 40 dairy groups in the programme area. Multistage sampling technique were employed. Interview schedule and focused group discussion were the main data collection methods. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics such as numerical counts, frequencies and percentages. The yes or no dichotomous was used to measure utilisation. The study reveals compost making (95.41%), polythene biogas digester (84.40%), organic fodder production-Tumbukiza (81.65%) and eco-milk packaging (74.77%) as most utilized dairy innovations among the respondents. Low cost market information system was the least utilised at 49.08%. The study recommends to the agricultural policy makers worldwide that the replication of these technologies among smallholder dairy farms so as to continue providing nutritious, hygienic and market-driven dairy products while optimising sustainable natural resource use. Digital application-low cost market information system, should be enhanced through professional groups to help address proliferation of unsubstantiated facts.
Dairy industry is poised to make significant strides toward a sustainable food system. Feeding th... more Dairy industry is poised to make significant strides toward a sustainable food system. Feeding the world efficiently and responsibly, while conserving the planet's natural resources, is a key sustainability challenge Worldwide not only for dairy farmers but also other food and agriculture sectors. The study investigated utilization of innovative dairy technologies initiated by Smallholder Dairy Commercialization Programme's (SDCP) for sustainable dairy enterprise development in Nyamira County, Kenya. The sample size was 220 (109 men, 111 women; age range 27 – 77 years) drawn from 40 dairy groups in the programme area. Systemic sampling was employed to identify the respondents for the study. Interview schedule and Focused Group Discussion (FGD) were the main data collection methods. Descriptive statistics was used for data analysis. The yes or no dichotomous was used to measure utilization. The study reveals that among the popular innovative dairy technologies were compost making (95.41%), Polythene Biogas Digester-PBD (84.40%), organic fodder production–Tumbukiza technology (81.65%) and green packaging (74.77%). Low Cost Market Information System (LCMIS) was not popular at 49.08 per cent. The study recommends to policy makers Worldwide the replication of these technologies among smallholder dairy farms to continue providing nutritious, hygienic and market-driven dairy products while optimizing sustainable natural resource use. Digital application (LCMIS) should be enhanced to facilitate sharing of market information through professional groups such as Agri-tech and Ukulima-tech in India and Kenya respectively so as to address proliferation of unsubstantiated facts.
Measurement is often intuitively defined as the assignment of numerals to objects or persons acco... more 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 examined with the help of face and content validity. Test retest method was used to test reliability. Cronbach's coefficient alpha of 0.8711 suggests the scale is reliable in measuring innovativeness of dairy entrepreneurial behavior. From an original pool of 88 statements the final scale was reduced to 34 items based on experts’ judgement.
ABSTRACT
To augment the incomes of smallholder farmers and, consequently improve their livelihood... more ABSTRACT To augment the incomes of smallholder farmers and, consequently improve their livelihood, many development organizations and policy makers are increasingly promoting dairy goat farming using group approach such as study circle (SC). Among the key organizations supporting this initiative in Kenya is Livelihood Improvements and Family Empowerment (LIFE) project. However, group characteristics influencing SC extension strategy on sustainable livelihood improvement of members have hardly been studied. This study investigated determinants of group characteristics on sustainable livelihood improvement of smallholder dairy goat farmers using study circle extension strategy in Nyando district, Kenya. The district was purposively selected because LIFE project had initiated dairy goat production using SC extension strategy. Data was collected using a pre-tested interview schedules administered to 110 respondents drawn from both SC and Non-Study Circle (NSC) farmers. Four group characteristics namely longevity, gender composition, networking capacity and cohesiveness of the groups were studied. Data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 16.0 program. Regression results show that group approach had improved the livelihood of dairy groups (SC) farmers, however, there was no significant contribution of the characteristics (R2 value = 0.078). The implication is that, these factors, in themselves, cannot be used to predict livelihood improvement through group approach. The study has, therefore, made a contribution to the practice and principles of group approach, not only in Kenya, but also other parts of the World.
Keywords: Group characteristics, dairy goat technologies, smallholder farmers, livelihood improvement, study circle extension strategy
Uploads
Papers by Daniel Osewe
To augment the incomes of smallholder farmers and, consequently improve their livelihood, many development organizations and policy makers are increasingly promoting dairy goat farming using group approach such as study circle (SC). Among the key organizations supporting this initiative in Kenya is Livelihood Improvements and Family Empowerment (LIFE) project. However, group characteristics influencing SC extension strategy on sustainable livelihood improvement of members have hardly been studied. This study investigated determinants of group characteristics on sustainable livelihood improvement of smallholder dairy goat farmers using study circle extension strategy in Nyando district, Kenya. The district was purposively selected because LIFE project had initiated dairy goat production using SC extension strategy. Data was collected using a pre-tested interview schedules administered to 110 respondents drawn from both SC and Non-Study Circle (NSC) farmers. Four group characteristics namely longevity, gender composition, networking capacity and cohesiveness of the groups were studied. Data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 16.0 program. Regression results show that group approach had improved the livelihood of dairy groups (SC) farmers, however, there was no significant contribution of the characteristics (R2 value = 0.078). The implication is that, these factors, in themselves, cannot be used to predict livelihood improvement through group approach. The study has, therefore, made a contribution to the practice and principles of group approach, not only in Kenya, but also other parts of the World.
Keywords: Group characteristics, dairy goat technologies, smallholder farmers, livelihood improvement, study circle extension strategy
Corresponding author: Tel: +254722630849; +919405127785; Email: danosewe@gmail.com
Drafts by Daniel Osewe
To augment the incomes of smallholder farmers and, consequently improve their livelihood, many development organizations and policy makers are increasingly promoting dairy goat farming using group approach such as study circle (SC). Among the key organizations supporting this initiative in Kenya is Livelihood Improvements and Family Empowerment (LIFE) project. However, group characteristics influencing SC extension strategy on sustainable livelihood improvement of members have hardly been studied. This study investigated determinants of group characteristics on sustainable livelihood improvement of smallholder dairy goat farmers using study circle extension strategy in Nyando district, Kenya. The district was purposively selected because LIFE project had initiated dairy goat production using SC extension strategy. Data was collected using a pre-tested interview schedules administered to 110 respondents drawn from both SC and Non-Study Circle (NSC) farmers. Four group characteristics namely longevity, gender composition, networking capacity and cohesiveness of the groups were studied. Data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 16.0 program. Regression results show that group approach had improved the livelihood of dairy groups (SC) farmers, however, there was no significant contribution of the characteristics (R2 value = 0.078). The implication is that, these factors, in themselves, cannot be used to predict livelihood improvement through group approach. The study has, therefore, made a contribution to the practice and principles of group approach, not only in Kenya, but also other parts of the World.
Keywords: Group characteristics, dairy goat technologies, smallholder farmers, livelihood improvement, study circle extension strategy
Corresponding author: Tel: +254722630849; +919405127785; Email: danosewe@gmail.com