Wolfgang Bokelmann

Demand for Meat in the Rural and Urban Areas of Kenya: A Focus on the Indigenous Chicken

This study intends to estimate the demand for indigenous chicken meat in Kenya, including other available meat products for comparison purposes. Data used was collected from six counties. A total 930 rural and urban households were sampled. Linear Approximated Almost Ideal Demand System (LA/AIDS) model was used to obtain the demand elasticities and to examine the socioeconomic and demographic factors influencing the meat budget shares. The results ascertain that the socio-demographic factors such as household location, the proportion of household members and the family size are important factors in explaining perceived variations in the consumption of meat products. Indigenous chicken meat, beef and mutton, were identified as necessities. Indigenous chicken meat and beef were identified as substitutes while indigenous chicken, goat and exotic chicken meats were complements. In view of the high expenditure elasticities, therefore, considering a policy option that would enhance consumer income is desirable, since it will result in high consumption thereby providing more incentives for production of meat products. The information generated would be more beneficial to the interest groups in the livestock sector as a whole. This would be utilised in the formulation of effective policies in line with food security and poverty alleviation.

Innovation mechanisms in German precision farming

In the precision farming (PF) literature on innovation activities, it becomes apparent that only individual aspects of the entire PF innovation process chain are considered, namely, the knowledge transfer and the adoption of PF applications. Therefore, this study seeks to analyze the innovation mechanisms in the entire PF innovation process chain. The paper identifies potentials, barriers and challenges for PF innovations in Germany and the respective agricultural subsector plant production. An in-depth understanding of innovation mechanisms is required to enhance innovation capabilities, overcome obstacles and bring further innovations to the agricultural field. A mix of qualitative and quantitative methods was applied—including interviews, an expert workshop and a Delphi survey—to explore innovation mechanisms and the role of heterogeneous actors. The research is based on the analytical framework of the sectoral innovation system approach. Key results are the identification of barriers in the later stages of the innovation processes (including validation, serial production and adoption), a gap in the knowledge transfer between science and practice, insufficient communication and co-operation between actors and the important influence of political and legal conditions. Furthermore, this study showed that farmers play an important role in the generation of innovations. For example, farmers are not only adopters or demanders but also impulse providers or co-developers. In conclusion, this study moves the PF innovation debate forward not only by providing adoption facts but also by presenting explanations for the complex interactions between actors throughout the innovation process chain.

Estimating farmers' preferences in selection of indigenous chicken genetic resources using non-market attributes

The objective of this paper was to estimate the farmers� preferences based on the non-market traits in selection, breeding and conservation of indigenous chicken. The study was carried out in four selected counties of Kenya. Data were collected using structured questionnaires with the use of multi-attribute elicitation techniques applied to 450 rural households. Conjoint analysis through an ordered probit model was used to analyse the data. The study identified traits preferred by the farmers based on their current low-input production circumstances. Using these traits, indigenous chicken can be selected for higher productivity and performance while retaining their diversity and adaptability. In general, the determination of the importance of various attributes elucidates to the stakeholders some valuable aspects that would assist them in overcoming some of the major constraints of indigenous chicken production in rural areas and at the same time provides vital information for selection, conservation and development of breeding programmes.

Factors Influencing Consumers’ Willingness to Pay for Organic Fruits and Vegetables: Empirical Evidence from a Consumer Survey in India

ABSTRACT Numerous consumers confronted with increasing environmental problems, food safety issues, and augmentative health problems increasingly desire to have healthier and more natural foods grown in an eco-friendly manner. Hitherto organic foods only partly benefit from this increasing market environment, and their market share stays rather low despite high growth rates. This article aims to investigate consumers’ willingness to pay (WTP) for organic fruits and vegetables and relevant factors affecting consumers WTP. The contingent valuation method was selected to estimate WTP. Empirical data was drawn from a 250-consumer survey conducted in Bangalore during February 2013. A binomial logistic regression model was applied to obtain the value of WTP and determine the factors influencing it. The results indicated that about 90% of the consumers were willing to pay a premium price ranging between 5% to more than 100% in order to acquire better-quality fruits and vegetables; factors such as family income, size of the family, gender, and other opinion variables such as chemical residue in conventional foods, trust on retailers, taste, and environmental concerns significantly influence consumers’ WTP. More than 87% of the consumers indicated that high price, lack of availability, narrow range, and irregular supply are the major barriers for them to buy these products. The results provide useful evidence to pertinent governmental agencies in terms of assisting in the design of policies for the promotion of organic food production and marketing and reaching the target public. Furthermore, firms involved in the organic foods business may also see benefits when drawing information in order to calibrate marketing strategies.

Agroforestry systems for biodiversity and ecosystem services: the case of the Sibundoy Valley in the Colombian province of Putumayo

ABSTRACT The Camëntsá and Inga indigenous communities of the Sibundoy Valley, in the Colombian province of Putumayo, employ agroforestry systems for their livelihoods. The objectives of this enquiry are (1) to understand the importance of the biodiversity within agroforestry systems, as providers of provisioning, regulating, and cultural ecosystem services to indigenous households and (2) to assess the importance of protecting biodiversity through agroforestry systems to ensure food security. The study employed a qualitative research strategy involving participant observation and semi-structured interviews. It describes the ecosystem services delivered within the agroforestry systems and the uses given by the communities to their related biodiversity. A total of 21 uses were identified for 128 species. The provision of food, natural medicine and biochemicals, fuel, and fibres was the most important final services derived from that biodiversity. Additionally regulating and cultural ecosystem services accounted for almost one-third of the total uses of the species. Based on its findings, the study highlights the need to maintain both the agroforestry systems and their biodiversity to ensure the delivery of all three ecosystem services and the communities’ food security and livelihoods. EDITED BY John Parrotta

The significance of avoiding household food waste – A means-end-chain approach

Many humans suffer from hunger, while edible food is discarded. This study aims at showing the importance of avoiding food waste in households and its causes by applying the means-end-chain analysis. Additional the means-end-chain approach should be examined in how far the method is suitable to get insights towards this topic. Consumer backgrounds in terms of feelings and attitudes regarding food waste should be shown, with the particular question why food waste personally is important. The data collection occurred utilizing the hard laddering method within a quantitative online survey. The results indicate that avoiding food waste is important for the greater part of consumers, as many claim to have a bad conscience, seeing it as morally wrong and reprehensible to waste food. A sample breakdown of gender, age and income points differences among these groups in regards to psychological consequences and value systems. Financial and environmental aspects have a lesser impact on attitudes and feelings regarding food waste in households.

Consumer Acceptance of Leafy African Indigenous Vegetables: Comparison Between Rural and Urban Dwellers

ABSTRACT Understanding consumer acceptance of leafy African indigenous vegetables (AIVs) is important in enhancing their consumption levels to increase micronutrient intake. Cooked leaves from AIVs are traditionally consumed together with starchy staple food. Acceptance of leafy AIVs for consumption was evaluated using a multivariate probit model. Due to potential heterogeneity in consumer characteristics, a comparison was made between rural and urban dwellers. A stratified multistage sampling technique was used to select a sample of 168 rural and 282 urban respondents and data were collected using a pretested semistructured questionnaire. African night shade (Solanum scabrum Mill.) had the highest acceptance level, followed by Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) and Slender leaf (Crotalaria brevidens Benth) was least accepted by rural and urban dwellers. With the exception of Jute mallow (Corchorus olitorius L.), all vegetables were better accepted by rural than urban dwellers, with differences between cowpea and Amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus L.). Age and occupation influenced acceptance of leafy AIVs by rural dwellers, but gender, household size, market information, and retail price explained their acceptance by urban dwellers. For rural and urban dwellers, income and market distance decreased and increased acceptance of leafy AIVs, respectively. Improved knowledge of AIVs among urban male and younger rural household decision makers could increase acceptance of leafy AIVs.

Consumer Motives and Purchase Preferences for Organic Food Products: Empirical Evidence From a Consumer Survey in Bangalore, South India

ABSTRACT Consumer organic food choice motives and purchase preferences were studied in a structured quantitative survey (N = 201) in Bangalore, with the aim of identifying consumer segments based on these motives and preferences. Further, sociodemographic differences between the clusters were studied. Face-to-face interviews were used to sample the data, which were analyzed with factor and k-means cluster analysis (SPSS 16.0). Five latent factors were identified based on the motives, representing a set of consumer concerns labeled here as “food phobia” (health),” “environment,” “humanity,” “healthy eaters,” and “control.” Further, three clusters emerged from these motives representing 38%, 37%, and 25% of the sample size. The factors differ in terms of variance. Here, the records of perceived healthiness (food phobia) were the most important element, explaining 18.37% of the total variance. These clusters were differing in terms of the level and order of motivations. The health factor was a most important motive in two clusters, followed by environment. Further, humanity was the most important motive for the third cluster. This may reflect a heterogeneous nature of consumers in study area. Additionally, five clusters were identified based on the preferences, and profiles of these clusters differed in terms of sociodemographic factors and consumption pattern. Segments were identified based on motivating factors and preferences, and linking them with food choice motives and products preference provides the input needed by marketing professionals and policy makers to calibrate more efficient marketing strategies to better focus and position their products and design their communication strategies for target segments.

Consumer’s choice of retail outlets for African indigenous vegetables: Empirical evidence among rural and urban households in Kenya

Abstract This study evaluated socio-economic, institutional and product characteristics that influence the choice for African indigenous vegetable (AIV) retail outlets among rural and urban households in Kenya. Multistage sampling technique was used to select a sample of 450 respondents from four counties in Kenya. Data was collected using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire and a multinomial Probit model was used in the analysis. Findings revealed that local open air markets and green groceries were the most preferred retail outlets in rural and urban households, respectively. Additionally, gender, age and education level of the key decision-maker, household size, varietal diversity, vegetable bunch size, market distance and perceptions regarding AIV retail prices significantly influenced the choice for AIV retail outlets. Interventions that would standardize the quantity of vegetables sold per bunch in both supermarkets and green groceries and a further development of more green grocery retail outlets can increase their preference in urban households. Moreover, strategies that would expand farm gate varietal diversity and reinforce hygiene standards in local open air outlets can enhance their preference in rural households.

An exploratory study on organisational linkages along the African indigenous vegetable value chains in Kenya

Abstract African indigenous vegetables (AIVs) have the potential to contribute substantially to food and nutrition security in Kenya because of their high nutritious value. However, there is a limited pool of knowledge on how AIV innovations are disseminated along the value chain. The study uses the concept of innovation systems and attempts to explore social network analysis in the context of the ALV value chain organisations, using a graph-theoretic method for analysis. Data used in this study are from two counties and were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. The focus was to identifying pathways of interactions between organisations. Information sharing, knowledge and resource flows were used as proxies to connote linkage. The findings show that the linkages between the organisations do exist and was found to be a top–down approach, the producer organisation did not demand for information, knowledge and resources. The role of policy is creating an enabling environment—in this study interpreted as access to information, knowledge and resources—which is critical in ensuring that the organisation along the value chain have access to the information and resources needed to promote the production and utilisation of these vegetables. Strengthening and empowering producers, extension service and marketing organisations is critical for the uptake and adaptation of inclusive innovations along the AIV value chains. This emphasises the need for further research on how to enhance participation among organisations in the development of innovations.