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Review Article
Challenges and Opportunities of Livelihood Diversification in Ethiopia: A Review Article
Maslah Mahamed Duale*
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 3, June 2024
Pages:
134-147
Received:
7 January 2024
Accepted:
22 January 2024
Published:
10 May 2024
Abstract: Diversifying sources of income has been recognized as a crucial approach to alleviate poverty, mitigate food insecurity, and enhance the overall well-being of rural residents in Ethiopia. This review outlines the key challenges and opportunities associated with livelihood diversification in the country. The study identifies several primary constraints that hinder livelihood diversification, including inadequate infrastructure development, scarcity of arable land, limited access to credit services, gender disparities, and poor rural-urban linkages. However, it also highlights potential avenues for sustainable livelihoods through diversification, such as the promotion of sustainable land management practices, adoption of climate-resilient agricultural strategies, and the provision of training and capacity building programs. To facilitate successful livelihood diversification, the review emphasizes the urgency of investing in infrastructure development and ensuring access to credit services. Moreover, it underscores the importance of promoting gender equality to mitigate the challenges faced by women in diversifying their livelihoods. Encouraging sustainable land management practices, implementing climate-resilient agricultural strategies, and providing comprehensive training and capacity building programs are identified as critical measures to support diversification efforts in Ethiopia effectively. The review offers evidence-based policy recommendations to inform government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and other stakeholders on effective strategies that can enhance livelihood diversification in the country, while also ensuring inclusivity and sustainability. The significance of livelihood diversification within Ethiopia's development agenda cannot be overstated, and it is imperative for stakeholders to act in addressing the identified challenges and capitalizing on the opportunities presented by diversification. By doing so, they can contribute to poverty reduction and sustainable development in the country. However, it is essential to note that further research is necessary to explore the efficacy of livelihood diversification strategies in different contexts and identify additional opportunities and challenges that may arise.
Abstract: Diversifying sources of income has been recognized as a crucial approach to alleviate poverty, mitigate food insecurity, and enhance the overall well-being of rural residents in Ethiopia. This review outlines the key challenges and opportunities associated with livelihood diversification in the country. The study identifies several primary constrai...
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Research Article
Determinants of Agribusiness Diversification Among Women Agri-Preneurs in Njoro and Molo Sub-Counties in Nakuru County, Kenya
Ikonya Judith Engurat*,
Benjamin Mutai,
George Owuor
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 3, June 2024
Pages:
148-157
Received:
20 January 2024
Accepted:
2 February 2024
Published:
10 May 2024
Abstract: Participating in agribusiness value chains is significant for growth and development of an economy. Women have been noted to have low participation in agribusiness activities as compared to men because women face challenges such as inaccessibility and ownership of assets, social cultural hindrances, lower market innovativeness and versatility factors. To reduce these challenges faced by women agri-preneurs, there is need to adopt agribusiness diversification to ensure the success of agribusiness enterprises. The aim of this study was to determine the factors that influence the number of agribusiness lines that female agri-preneurs participate in. This study was carried out in Njoro and Molo Sub-counties in Nakuru County, Kenya between March and August 2023. A standard Poisson regression model was carried out to examine the number of agribusiness lines that female agri-preneurs have to maximize revenue and spread risks associated with post production agribusiness activities such as selling, distribution and value addition of agricultural products. The study sampled 267 female in agribusinesses, both group participants and non-participants. Data processing was done using SPSS and STATA software. The results showed that age, education level, Leadership position, size of agribusiness enterprise, time taken in the agribusiness activities and ability of the female agri-preneurs to borrow loans positively influence the number of agribusiness lines that women agri-preneurs have.
Abstract: Participating in agribusiness value chains is significant for growth and development of an economy. Women have been noted to have low participation in agribusiness activities as compared to men because women face challenges such as inaccessibility and ownership of assets, social cultural hindrances, lower market innovativeness and versatility facto...
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Research Article
Effects of Food Crops Commercialization on Smallholders’ Food Security in Southern Tanzania
Gasper Mpehongwa*,
Devota Cassian
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 3, June 2024
Pages:
158-162
Received:
5 May 2024
Accepted:
22 May 2024
Published:
3 June 2024
Abstract: Commercialization of smallholders farming is fronted as a panacea for both rural poverty and food insecurity. Through the use various policies and strategies such as the National Trade Policy (2003); National Strategy for Growth and Reduction of Poverty (2010); Agricultural Marketing Policy (2008); National Agriculture Policy (2013); and the National Five-Year Development Plan (2021/22 to 2025/26, the government of Tanzania have consistently promoted commercialization of agriculture. This has led to increasing commercialization of food crops for over two decades now. However, emerging evidences show that commercialization of foods crops has negative effect on smallholder’s food security. This paper assessed circumstances under which commercialization of food crops could lead to household food insecurity among smallholders. Purposive sampling was used to obtain 120 households from a highly food crop commercialized district of Iringa in Southern Tanzania. Results shows that three scenarios could lead to food insecurity among smallholders namely; low productivity of commercialized food crops, shifting away from traditional food crops such as cassava, wheat and sorghum, sweet and round potatoes that used to enhance food security, and specialization which exposes smallholders to shocks and uncertainties. It recommends that commercialization of food crops should go hand in hand with enhanced productivity and diversification.
Abstract: Commercialization of smallholders farming is fronted as a panacea for both rural poverty and food insecurity. Through the use various policies and strategies such as the National Trade Policy (2003); National Strategy for Growth and Reduction of Poverty (2010); Agricultural Marketing Policy (2008); National Agriculture Policy (2013); and the Nation...
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Research Article
Value Chain in the Production of Sacha Inchi Oil (Plukenetia volubilis L.) in Cuba
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 3, June 2024
Pages:
163-172
Received:
15 February 2024
Accepted:
20 March 2024
Published:
13 June 2024
Abstract: The seeds of Sacha Inchi (Plukenetia volubilis L.) contain vitamins, tocopherols and fatty acids, and are a natural source of omegas 3, 6 and 9. The crop was introduced in Cuba in 2016, by the Research Center on Proteic Plants and Bionatural Products (CIPB) and has been extended to currently reach 120 ha. Since 2019, a group from CIPB has been working to extract the oil from the seeds, which has proven nutritional values, pharmacological effects and safety, and also on its marketing. The aim was analyze the results of application of manage model as value chain during the two first years to produce Sacha Inchi oil in Cuba. The management model with a value chain approach, as an organizational innovation, favored the development of completely new products and the use of wastes from the main process, which is extracting the oil. In the different links of the chain, known technologies and process and product innovations have been applied. In the productive and commercial activity, the co-innovation with the National Center for Scientific Research (CNIC) stands out, by achieving a productive chain, which guarantees the production of soft oil capsules, which offers greater reliability and attractive appearance compared to other pharmaceutical forms. Reference is made to the experimental evidence that supports the Standard Operating Procedures, to the economic benefits for national sales and exports, to the social impacts and the environmental perspective. All of the above constitutes a scientific novelty for Cuba, since it is the first time that Sacha Inchi is cultivated, industrial oil is obtained from its seeds and it is marketed in the country.
Abstract: The seeds of Sacha Inchi (Plukenetia volubilis L.) contain vitamins, tocopherols and fatty acids, and are a natural source of omegas 3, 6 and 9. The crop was introduced in Cuba in 2016, by the Research Center on Proteic Plants and Bionatural Products (CIPB) and has been extended to currently reach 120 ha. Since 2019, a group from CIPB has been work...
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Research Article
Tradeoffs Between Maize Importation and Reliance on Local Production: A Case of Commercial Maize Millers in Kenya
Priscilla Mkambe Nzaka*,
Gladys Jepchirchir Koech,
Hillary Bett,
George Owuor
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 3, June 2024
Pages:
173-184
Received:
28 February 2024
Accepted:
20 March 2024
Published:
13 June 2024
Abstract: The supply of maize in Kenya has often fallen short of the demand resulting to an influx of cheap maize imports from neighboring countries. Tradeoffs thus arise among commercial maize milling firms whether to import or use locally produced maize in their operations and which alternative maximizes their income. This study aimed to determine the effect of tradeoffs between maize importation and reliance on local production on the income of commercial maize milling firms in Kenya. Data was collected from 106 commercial maize milling firms that produced packaged maize flour. A census of the entire population was employed and a semi-structured questionnaire used to guide personal interviews and online surveys with the respondents. Data was analyzed using descriptive analysis, gross margins and two-stage least square regression. Results indicate that firms that used locally produced maize only were majorly micro to medium-scale, had relatively low-skilled employees, lower production capacity and employed relatively less sophisticated technology. Firms that used locally produced maize only in their operations realized higher incomes and lower cost of procuring maize monthly compared to firms that used both locally produced and imported maize. Additionally, the determinants of firm’s income were the miller’s decision on maize source, total number of employees, total cost of maize, mean monthly sales and mean production costs. Therefore, government policies should be geared towards lowering the cost of procuring maize from both local and import sources. These include reviewing import duties on food grain, streamlining cess collection across counties and improving road infrastructure.
Abstract: The supply of maize in Kenya has often fallen short of the demand resulting to an influx of cheap maize imports from neighboring countries. Tradeoffs thus arise among commercial maize milling firms whether to import or use locally produced maize in their operations and which alternative maximizes their income. This study aimed to determine the effe...
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