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Population growth, urbanization and climate change, are among the factors that have created uncertainties and pressures on current global food and economic systems. Agricultural intensification can no longer support the increasing demand for food, especially of protein origin. Consequently, pressure is mounting on the supply side (private sector) to develop viable alternative sources of protein' foods. Insects as food and consumption of foods from edible insects (FEI) are being promoted as one potential solution to the declining access to protein foods. However, one of the challenges facing the private sector is to demonstrate the efficacy of FEI programmes in the face of limited information regarding consumer -psychographic characteristics including their attitudes, values, interests and beliefs. The aim of the study was to explore the salient beliefs underlying consumer attitudes towards FEI consumption in Kenya. To achieve this objective, six focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted (n= 43), three with only female participants and the other three with a mixed gender. The FGD script was coded using the Theory of Planned Behaviour theoretical framework. The results show that, salient beliefs related to taste, availability, convenience, affordability and other benefits beyond nutrition, are the main determinants of the participants' intentions to consume FEI. Intentions are also influenced by the perceived feelings regarding the social referents, including family members, peers, religious leaders and health officials; and perceived behavioural control factors such as perceived risks on their food choices, perceived convenience and availability. While designing local programmes to promote FEI consumption, participants support the idea of small groups, but expresses concern about the time of day (evening preferred), length and location of the group session. However, many participants are not receptive to receiving telephone messages, although they are open to the idea of receiving phone calls. The study findings provide unique insights, among them, cultural beliefs that underlies consumer attitudes towards consuming FEI. Additionally, the results suggest possible approaches and practical interventions that can be used to promote FEI consumption in specific regions of Kenya.Key words: Foods from edible insects, theory of planned behaviour, Salient beliefs DOI: 10.18697/ajfand.76.16810 11368 INTRODUCTIONLarge numbers of people in the developing world are currently facing food insecurity, and majority of these are smallholder farmers and the rural poor [1,2]. Hunger in developing countries is an entrenched problem despite ample food production at the global level. The reasons for this are complex but ultimately these people have been systematically locked-out of development with few rights and little access to resources. Due to poverty and relative exclusion from cash-based economies, they, like many urban poor in developing countries, are food insecure [1,3].The concept of food and nutritional security ...

Edutainment, the combination of education with entertainment through various media such as television, radio, mobile phone applications and games, is increasingly being used as an approach to stimulate innovation and increase agricultural productivity amongst smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. Shamba Shape Up, a widely publicised makeover reality TV programme, is an example of edutainment that has received considerable attention, and airs in three countries in East Africa where it is estimated to be watched by millions of viewers.There is no published academic research on the influence of makeover television formats on innovation systems and processes in smallholder agriculture. Using an Agricultural Innovation Systems approach, this paper explores how makeover edutainment is influencing smallholder farmer innovation systems together with the effect this is having on smallholder farms. In the absence of previous research, it articulates a Theory of Change which draws on research traditions from mass communication, agricultural extension and innovation systems.Data came from two large scale quantitative (n = 9885 and n = 1572) surveys and in-depth participatory qualitative research comprising focus group discussions, participatory budgets, agricultural timelines, case studies and key information interviews in Kenya. An estimated 430,000 farmers in the study area were benefiting from their interaction with the programme through increased income and / or a range of related social benefits including food security, improving household health, diversification of livelihood choices, paying school fees for children and increasing their community standing / social capital.Participatory research showed SSU enhanced an already rich communication environment and strengthened existing processes of innovation. It helped set the agenda for discussions within farming communities about opportunities for improving smallholder farms, while also giving specific ideas, information and knowledge, all in the context of featured farm families carefully selected so that a wide range of viewers would identify with them and their challenges.Broadcasts motivated and inspired farmers to improve their own farms through a range of influences including entertainment, strong empathy with the featured host farm families, the way ideas emerged through interaction with credible experts, and importantly through stimulating widespread discussion and interaction amongst and between farmers and communities of experts on agricultural problems, solutions and opportunities. The fact that local extension workers also watched the programmes further enhanced the influence on local innovation systems.The findings indicate that well designed makeover edutainment can strongly influence agricultural innovation processes and systems resulting in impact on the agricultural production and behaviours of large numbers of smallholder farmers.

<p>This study sought to explore the relationship between good governance and economic growth among the East Africa Community (EAC) countries. The study utilized panel data to analyse six major World Bank governance indicators namely: Voice and Accountability, Political Stability and Absence of Violence, Government Effectiveness, Regulatory Quality, Rule of Law and Control of Corruption effect on economic growth in the respective country and region for the period 1999-2013. The Random effect model (REM) and Ordinary Least Square (OLS) estimation techniques were employed for comparative analysis. The study showed that among the governance indicators, political stability, quality regulatory and control of corruption were significant. The first two indices were negatively related to economic growth rate while the latter was positively related to economic growth rate. From the OLS models, voice and accountability had a significant effect on economic growth rate in Kenya and Uganda. The quality of regulation had significant effect in Kenya and Tanzania while rule of law was found to be significant only in Kenya. The study suggests that in order to advance the economic performance in EAC countries, the EAC states need to invest in more effective regulation on both public and private institutions to enhance social, political and sustainable economic interactions. Similarly, the government needs to encourage national cohesion and peaceful co-existence that would foster political stability and reduce violence. By investing in good governance through establishment of key institutions of governance are likely to spur economic growth.</p>

Communication influences patient disclosure, treatment adherence, and outcome, adaptation to illness, and bereavement. Different cancer patients and caregivers communicate their various experiences in unique ways. These distinctive experiences are necessary to be told, because it empowers both the teller and everyone who hears and shares that experience. However, there is little research documenting the experiences of cervical cancer patients and caregivers in Kenya and the rest of Africa. This study therefore sought to assess the communication experience among cervical cancer patients and their caregivers. This study was a qualitative study employing the phenomenological method to obtain data from cervical patients and caregivers. It was carried out in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya, where a range of in-depth interviews were held with eight patients and eight caregivers purposively sampled. Data from the interviews were analysed thematically and presented in narrative form using paraphrases and quotations. Ethical issues such as informed consent, confidentiality and official authorisation were observed at all levels. To enrich this study, hermeneutic theory, which explains more about the individual's experience, was used. The findings of the study indicated that communication is therapeutic, although most of the patients and the caregivers were reluctant to talk about their illness. The findings of this study will be of interest to scholars, policy-makers and caregivers of terminally ill patients.