System of rice intensification (SRI) is a novel technological approach aimed at improving rice productivity using environmental-friendly and cost-effective agronomic practices. Although its utility has been demonstrated in several settings in sub-Saharan Africa, its implementation is still considerably low. This study explored the challenges faced and coping strategies used by Kenyan smallholder farmers who contribute substantially to domestic rice production, in the uptake of SRI practices in rural setting in the western part of the country where it was previously been introduced. The study involved a survey of 101 smallholder rice farmers in Oluch Irrigation Scheme in Homabay County, to understand the challenges and coping strategies to the uptake of the system of rice intensification practices. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was done to guide in summarising the results using the SPSS package. The findings revealed that a host of challenges impede the acceptance of SRI in Oluch irrigation scheme, mainly insufficient knowledge, shortage and high costs of labour, weak stakeholder networks in the rice value chain; pests and diseases; and high cost of agricultural inputs to facilitate SRI. Notably, none of these challenges were overwhelmingly prevalent across majority of farmers, but that they were accosted by multiple complex and competing challenges limiting their opportunities for uptake of different SRI practices. It was observed that the nature and manifestation of these challenges necessitated the involvement of multiple actors in the rice value chain to address them. This formed the basis for a multi-stakeholder approach to address challenges that limited the implementation of new agricultural technologies, especially the utility of innovative approaches such as innovation platform to promote the uptake of SRI.

No abstract

Multi-stakeholder platforms are useful in driving technology uptake by bringing together stakeholders in a value chain for joint agenda-setting and learning to address a common goal. In this paper, we analyze how multi-stakeholder networks unfold in an innovation platform for networking and capacity building to drive the uptake of the system of rice intensification (SRI) in Oluch irrigation scheme in western Kenya. An innovation platform (IP) was launched at Oluch irrigation scheme in Kenya to enhance networking among stakeholders and facilitate capacity building among farmers. We performed a network analysis to understand the patterns of knowledge exchange among stakeholders in the IP. We further explore the association between innovation platform characteristics and the uptake of SRI practices using regression analyses, correlation analyses and chi-square-tests. Our findings reveal that there was a substantial increase in the uptake of SRI that was largely driven by strategic networks. Extensionists and farmer groups emerged as the most important actors while farmer-to-farmer networks are still nascent in promoting SRI than expected but growing. We conclude by describing the describe a theory of change developed and experienced in the IP. While multi-stakeholder networks may be important drivers of technology uptake, there is a need for careful analysis of strategic networks within the IP that are core to achieving IP goals such as uptake of the technology and ensuring sustainability of the IP.

Fall armyworm (FAW) is a new invasive pest that causes economic damage to a wide variety of crops. This pest is estimated to reduce maize yields by about 60%. FAW could cause crop losses of up to US$13 billion annually across sub-Saharan Africa, threatening the livelihoods of millions of resource-poor farmers worldwide. Governments have warned against the indiscriminate use of chemical pesticides that could undermine pest control strategies for smallholder farmers who rely heavily on natural enemies. Since the invasion of this pest in Kenya, there have been limited studies conducted on indigenous innovations to tackle the challenges of FAW infestation. There has also been limited knowledge of the effects of the indigenous innovations adopted by smallholder farmers on crop production. A total of 150 farmers from Busia, Siaya, and Vihiga counties were purposely sampled and appropriately informed about the indigenous innovations they developed to address and leverage FAW challenges with the help of well-structured questionnaires. The impact of indigenous innovations on crop production were evaluated. Analysis of quantitative data was performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 to facilitate descriptive and inferential analysis of the study variables and by carrying out the Binomial Logistic regression analysis for objectives i, ii, iii and iv, respectively. Results were presented as descriptive statistics and inferential statistics, respectively. The dependent variable was the FAW pest awareness, while the independent variables were age, gender, education level, farm size, employment status and income, respectively.