Ibrahim Macharia

Pesticides and Health in Vegetable Production in Kenya

This paper investigates the determinants of pesticide-related cost of illness (COI) and acute symptoms, using a balanced panel of 363 farmers interviewed from seven major vegetable producing districts of Kenya. Finding shows that the incidences of pesticide-related health impairments have increased. Variation in number of symptoms and symptom severity significantly explained COI. The personal protective equipment (PPE), education level, record keeping, and geographical location considerably determined health impairments. Encouraging the proper use of PPE and record keeping of pesticide use could greatly reduce poisoning cases and COI.

Factors Affecting Technical Efficiency of Passion Fruit Producers in the Kenya Highlands

The importance of passion fruit in livelihood improvement has been a key driver among rural households production participation in Kenya. The frequency of harvest and income flows compared to other farm enterprises in the fruit growing regions has been high. However, the productivity of the fruit remains low; an indicator of low technical efficiency. Using a semi-structured questionnaire, cross sectional data from 123 randomly selected passion fruit producers was used in the study to assess factors that contribute to purple passion fruit production efficiency in the Kenyan highlands. The study established a mean technical efficiency of 58.66%. Orchard age, credit amount used, non-passion fruit income and County variables significantly and positively influenced TE at 5% level. The level of education, extension advice use frequency and market access positively and significantly influenced technical efficiency at 10% level. In order to amend the current efficiency status upwards, passion fruit producers and support institutions should incorporate innovative measures towards resource use efficiency for increased productivity.