Research Articles (Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/1745

This collection contains some of the full text peer-reviewed/ refereed articles published by researchers from the Department of Agricultural Economics Extension and Rural Development

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The Moringa value chain in Ethiopia and the socio-economic impact of pests and diseases
Fitawek, Wegayehu Bogale; Anjulo, Agena; Healey, Madaline; Lawson, Simon; Hurley, Brett Phillip (CAB International, 2026-05-20)
BACKGROUND : Moringa is a multipurpose tree, and the demand for Moringa products is growing significantly. It has gained popularity in southern Ethiopia, where the tree is cultivated for its nutritious food, medicinal properties, cultural significance, and economic value. However, there is limited research examining how pests and diseases affect the Moringa value chain. The aims of this study were to examine the socio-economic factors influencing the level of pest severity among Moringa growers and to estimate the impact of Moringa production on the income of value chain actors. METHODS : The study used primary data collected from Moringa value chain actors in the Arba Minch and Derashe districts of the southern Ethiopia Region, encompassing 507 households involved in the Moringa value chain. The study employed value chain mapping to analyse the entire chain and applied a multinomial endogenous switching regression model to address selection bias and assess the impact of Moringa production on the income of value chain actors. Results: Results show that younger individuals, women, singles, and cooperative members are more likely to participate in distribution and processing, while larger households with land and more Moringa plants tend to remain growers. Pest severity varies by location and household age, with Arba Minch growers more likely to experience medium pest severity, likely due to lower insecticide use than in Derashe. Distributors earn significantly less than growers, while processors earn similar incomes. Pest impacts on income were not statistically significant, likely because infestation periods were brief and Moringa is mainly grown for household consumption. CONCLUSIONS : The findings provide new insights into the impact of pests and diseases on the Moringa value chain and on the income of actors. The results identify key socio-economic and locational factors associated with pest severity among growers and estimate income differences across value chain actors. This highlights how participation in different stages of the value chain and pest dynamics influence economic outcomes in Moringa production systems. Given Moringa’s importance as a staple vegetable for food security, employment opportunities, and medicinal and cultural benefits, support from the government and NGOs is essential to strengthen the Moringa value chain. In addition, raising awareness of the impacts of insecticides and promoting integrated pest management is crucial for sustainable and resilient Moringa production and should inform policy and technical interventions.
What is missing from the shopping experience provided by omnichannel marketing model? Probing the drivers of loyalty in the hypermarket industry
Moatshe, Palesa; Tsvakirai, Chiedza Zvirurami (Sprint Investify, 2025-10-31)
The integration of online and in-store interactions via omnichannel marketing has become standard in retail. While online channels facilitate repeat purchases through convenience, the in-store experience remains a critical driver of customer loyalty. This study investigated the specific elements of the physical shopping experience that foster such loyalty. Although omnichannel models in supermarkets are well-documented, research in the hypermarket context remains limited. To address this gap, qualitative data were collected through one-on-one interviews with customers of a leading South African hypermarket. A thematic analysis of the responses identified key in-store factors motivating repeat purchases. The findings indicate that customer loyalty is primarily driven by two elements: perceived service quality and perceived price fairness. Service quality appeals to customers' emotional motivations, while price fairness aligns with their personal values. Consistency in delivering both emerged as a crucial determinant of long-term loyalty. These findings contribute to retail literature by pinpointing the in-store experience elements that positively influence omnichannel marketing. The study also offers strategic recommendations for retailers seeking to strengthen the link between their in-store efforts and customer loyalty.
Balancing bioenergy and food security through circular biomass utilization and fourth industrial revolution (4IR)-driven framework
Atofarati, Emmanuel O.; Osabohien, Romanus; Fitawek, Wegayehu Bogale; Oludoye, Oluseye O.; Enweremadu, Christopher C. (Elsevier, 2026-11)
The rising demand for renewable energy and sustainable agriculture has intensified pressures on food systems, particularly through competition for biomass resources. Despite growing interest in bioenergy, existing studies remain fragmented, with limited integration of agricultural waste valorization, food security metrics, and digital optimization strategies within a unified framework. This review synthesizes current knowledge on balancing food security and bioenergy production by prioritizing agricultural waste valorization and resource-efficient biomass management within a Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR)–enabled framework. Emphasis is placed on studies addressing resource efficiency, circular bioeconomy transitions, and the application of artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, robotics, and blockchain in biomass management. The analysis reveals that prioritizing agricultural residues over food-based feedstocks significantly reduces food system disruption while enhancing resource efficiency and environmental performance. Furthermore, digital technologies demonstrably improve biomass availability forecasting, logistics coordination, land-use optimization, and supply chain traceability, thereby strengthening system resilience and transparency. However, critical gaps persist in regulatory alignment, data governance, and the economic feasibility of deploying 4IR technologies in resource-constrained settings. To address these challenges, a multilayer 4IR-enabled framework is proposed, integrating data acquisition, predictive analytics, optimization, and governance for sustainable biomass utilization. The findings highlight that strategic alignment of waste valorization and digital innovation can support circular bioeconomy transitions and climate-resilient food systems. This work provides actionable insights for policymakers and researchers to advance sustainable food security, resource efficiency, and inclusive green growth, particularly in emerging economies. HIGHLIGHTS • Africa generates >3 billion t yr−1 of agricultural residues, forming the framework baseline. • A 4IR-enabled framework integrates AI, IoT, robotics, and blockchain traceable biomass supply chains. • AI–GIS–remote sensing models predict biomass availability and food–energy trade-offs. • Multi-objective optimization selects bioenergy pathways with minimized GHG and soil loss. • Nigeria and South Africa cases validate SDG-aligned, climate-resilient food systems to circular bioenergy transitions.
Environmental, health and social externalities in Uganda's coffee value chain : the hidden cost of coffee
Atieno, Prisca; Hendriks, Sheryl L.; Selomane, Odirilwe (Elsevier, 2026-06)
Global coffee demand rises by about 2.3% annually, intensifying environmental, health and social externalities, particularly in producing countries. There is limited understanding of the magnitude of these externalities in Uganda's coffee value chain. This study provides the first simultaneous quantification and monetisation of negative environmental, health and social externalities in Uganda's coffee value chain using integrated true cost accounting approaches. Life-cycle assessment, disability-adjusted life years and the living income benchmark were employed to quantify environmental, health and social externalities, respectively. The True Price methodology was used to monetise the environmental and social externalities, while the value of a statistical life year was applied to monetise health externalities. The total hidden costs were estimated at 3665 USD (range 3079–4383) per tonne of coffee, nearly 1.8 times the export price of 2000 USD per tonne. Environmental costs (1985 USD) were attributed to greenhouse gas emissions and soil erosion, social costs (1033 USD) were due to child labour and insufficient income among smallholder households and health costs (67 USD) were from pesticide exposure. Across the value chain stages, cultivation accounted for over half (2822 USD) of the total hidden costs. These findings indicate that the environmental, health and social impacts of Uganda's coffee value chain exceed its market value. Internalising these externalities would require substantial investments from value chain actors and policymakers, nearly double the current market value of coffee. HIGHLIGHTS • Uganda's coffee value chain generates negative environmental, health and social costs. • Hidden costs amounted to 3665 USD (range 3079–4383) per tonne, nearly double the export price per tonne of coffee. • Environmental externalities accounted for 55% of the total costs, followed by social (44%) and health costs (1%). • Rising production to meet growing demand is likely increase these negative externalities. • Failing to address these hidden costs could threaten the sustainability of Uganda's coffee value chain.
Human-elephant conflict in communities bordering Kruger National Park : revealing causes and unpicking social media narratives
Moorhouse, Tom P.; Ntuli, Herbert; Nketiah, Prince; Elwin, Angie; Paterson, Suzi; D’Cruze, Neil C. (Public Library of Science, 2026-07-08)
Conflict between humans and wildlife in communities living adjacent to protected areas is one of the most intractable issues facing policymakers and conservation practitioners. The presence of wildlife can negatively impact on humans in a number of different ways, from fatalities to loss of livelihoods. Proximity to human communities can also negatively impact wildlife, for example through retaliatory killings and illegal harvesting. Meeting conservation objectives therefore often requires measures to reduce human-wildlife conflict, especially at the borders of national parks. We examine the drivers of human-elephant conflict occurring in villages bordering Kruger National Park (KNP), South Africa – which can result in the killing of elephants that enter these communities. We use data from surveys in these communities, as well as online descriptions of an incident in the village of Matsulu which resulted in the death of an elephant and which was filmed by several community members, generating a large number of social media stories. Social media stories and survey responses both highlighted the same underlying drivers of elephant killings: that members of the community appear to have tampered with the KNP fence and encouraged elephants to exit the park. Community members benefited through obtaining elephant meat. Data from the survey additionally indicated that a small number of community members profit financially from elephant escapes, but that the wider community experiences a range of negative impacts, which may be partially defrayed by benefits in the form of meat. The majority (71.2%) of survey respondents stated they would support non-lethal elephant management approaches. The current policy regarding elephant management in KNP is that elephants are protected within the park but if outside and considered a danger to humans are permitted to be killed. This policy has implications for elephant conservation in a context where members of local communities may feel incentivised to facilitate the escape of elephants, in order to benefit from legitimately killing them. We recommend an evaluation of this policy in the light of community attitudes towards elephants and their management.
Remittances, financial inclusion, and food insecurity : evidence from Cameroon
Mukong, Alfred Kechia; Ntuli, Herbert; Aquilas, Nkwetta Ajong; Nyambe, Jacob M. (Wiley, 2026-11)
Food insecurity remains a major challenge in developing countries, particularly in African countries where natural disasters and conflict have increasingly reversed the efforts of many policymakers and development practitioners. Although financial inclusion and remittances have emerged as key drivers of food insecurity, the magnitude of their effects is still debated, questioned, and inconclusive. This paper deepens the empirical analysis of the determinants of food insecurity by considering the simultaneous effects of financial inclusion and remittances in Cameroon, a country where internal conflict has worsened the levels of food insecurity. Based on data extracted from the 2017 Cameroon Finscope Consumer Survey, we used several estimation techniques including the two-stage least square (2SLS) and heteroscedasticity-based instrumental variable approach to check for consistency of the results and to minimize the potential bias associated with endogeneity. The empirical findings reveal that improving access to remittances and having access to financial services significantly reduces food insecurity. The effects are higher among those with formal financial services. The results are consistent across the different dimensions of food insecurity and financial inclusion and the methods used. It is therefore imperative for policymakers, especially in developing countries, to advocate for universal access to financial services. It is also important to consider the role of remittances when setting or implementing food security interventions.
Seed literacy and access to quality seeds among smallholder farmers in the Eastern Cape, South Africa : a case study of KwaMkhiva Village
Shiba, Walter; Matli, Mankaba Whitney; Gqutyana, Ntanda; Mdwebi, Portia; Magagula, Nomfundo; Zantsi, Siphe; Bairu, Michael (MDPI, 2026-03)
Access to quality seed is a critical driver of smallholder productivity and household food security in South Africa, yet rural communities in the Eastern Cape continue to rely heavily on informal seed systems. Limited seed literacy among farmers and vendors is widely recognized as a constraint to the effective selection and use of high-quality seed. The purpose of this study is to assess seed literacy levels among smallholder farmers in KwaMkhiva village and evaluate how knowledge gaps shape farmers’ seed sourcing patterns and access to quality seed. The study hypothesizes that low seed literacy significantly increases reliance on informal seed systems and reduces adoption of certified or improved varieties. A quantitative, cross-sectional survey design was used to collect data from 50 smallholder farmers and 12 informal seedling vendors, complemented by semi-structured interviews with three extension officers. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, correlation analysis, and a composite Seed Literacy Index (SLI) were employed to assess literacy dimensions and their association with seed choices. Findings show that 49% of farmers rely on local markets and 40% use farm-saved seed, with 75% assessing quality visually rather than through germination or varietal indicators. Only 10% had received any seed-related training, and awareness of seed adaptability and crop rotation was below 20%. Higher SLI scores were positively associated with adoption of certified seed (r = 0.42, p < 0.01) and crop diversification. The study concludes that seed literacy is a critical yet underserved capability that shapes smallholder seed access within dual seed economies. Strengthening farmer-centred seed literacy programmes, revitalising extension services, and supporting community seed banks could enhance access to quality seed and improve smallholder resilience.
Climate variability, land-cover and vegetation dynamics in Ethiopia
Leyu, Tefera K.; Karuaihe, Selma Tuemumunu; Fitawek, Wegayehu Bogale (Institute of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine, 2025-11)
CONTEXT AND BACKGROUND : Ethiopia's agricultural sector, primarily consisting of rain-fed smallholder farming, is facing increasing vulnerability due to the combined impacts of climate variability and changes in land cover. In recent years, changes in temperature and precipitation patterns, along with environmental degradation, have posed significant challenges to vegetation health and crop productivity. This study aims to explore how these climatic and ecological factors interact to affect agricultural outcomes. GOAL AND OBJECTIVES : The goal of this study is to assess the spatial and temporal risks of seasonal drought and climatic water shortages in Ethiopia by analyzing observed and projected precipitation and temperature trends. Additionally, the study examines changes in land cover and the relationship between climate variability and vegetation dynamics to understand their combined effects on crop damage and regional land productivity. METHODOLOGY : The study utilizes a multi-method approach, including the Coefficient of Variation, Precipitation Concentration Index, and Standardized Precipitation Index to evaluate rainfall variability, drought trends, and temperature trends. RESULTS : The study reveals a long-term warming trend in Ethiopia, characterized by increasing mean and minimum temperatures. While average rainfall levels have remained relatively stable, there has been an increase in variability, leading to more frequent droughts affecting 37.5% of seasons. These climatic changes are closely linked to declining vegetation health, changes in land cover, and worsening soil degradation, resulting in significant crop damage. Future climate projections under different scenarios show a complex outlook, with persistent droughts expected in the short term (2020–2039) and wetter conditions with increased flood risks in the long term (2080–2099) under high-emission pathways. The study also emphasizes the importance of integrated water resource management due to high inter-seasonal precipitation correlation. These findings underscore the need for localized, evidence-based adaptation strategies to enhance agricultural resilience and ensure food security in Ethiopia's vulnerable farming systems.
Assessing rangeland conditions on land reform farms in South Africa : a national analysis of the proactive land acquisition strategy farms
Zantsi, Siphe; Phali, Lerato; Verschoor, Aart-Jan; Gandidzanwa, Colleta (Taylor and Francis, 2026-04-21)
The conservation of natural resources to ensure the long-term sustainability of agriculture is a national priority. Likewise, reforming South Africa’s land and agrarian structure remains a key objective. However, balancing agricultural reform with the sustainable use of natural resources remains challenging. This study contributes to this body of work by analysing rangeland capability and its determinants on farms redistributed under the Proactive Land Acquisition Strategy (PLAS). A national survey of 1 752 farms was conducted, capturing information on farm manager demographics, farm characteristics and performance. Using published natural resource capability datasets, GPS coordinates of each farm and Surveyor-General cadastral boundaries projected through Google Maps, an interdisciplinary panel of scientists assessed the rangeland productivity of PLAS farms. The Tobit regression results indicate that factors such as the risk of bush encroachment, commercial productivity, gender of the farm manager, tenure security and climate capability were statistically significant in explaining variations in rangeland capability scores. As such, climate-change adaptation should be prioritised in rangeland management. Strengthening the public agricultural extension service by employing more rangeland ecologists could also ensure the sustainability of rangelands.
Factors affecting the adoption of mobile-based digital technologies : evidence from Ethiopia
Bule, Degineh Lagiso; Ntuli, Herbert; Gandidzanwa, Colleta (Sage, 2026)
Mobile phones and associated services possess substantial potential to improve household livelihoods. However, there is inadequate access to and use of mobile-based technologies, despite their potential to improve livelihoods in the Hadiya zone, Ethiopia. This study aims to analyse the main factors influencing the adoption of mobile-based technology. The analysis employed an ordered logit model on cross-sectional data collected from 278 respondents. The findings indicate that factors such as gender, education, affordability, access to remittances, social networks, awareness, geographical location, trade access, and type of mobile phone have positively and significantly influenced the likelihood of adopting mobile-based digital technology, except age. The implications suggest that mobile-based technology adoption remains under-utilised for essential activities, with adoption particularly lower among women and rural populations. Targeted interventions, including infrastructure improvements, digital connectivity enhancement, awareness campaigns, skill training, income-raising initiatives, and gender-sensitive digital policies, are essential to promote adoption.
From policy to practice : unpacking the implementation hurdles of South Africa’s R638 regulation on hygiene for handling food
Mkhwanazi, Ntombizethu Simphiwe; Adelle, Camilla; Korsten, Lise (Institute for African Alternatives, 2026-03)
This case study examines the implementation of Regulation R638, which outlines general hygiene requirements for food premises and the transport of food in South Africa. The regulation was introduced without stakeholder consultation due to the urgency of addressing public health concerns, particularly following the listeriosis outbreak across the country in 2017/18. This study explores the roles of various stakeholders, including government, industry, civil society, and research institutions, in the implementation of Regulation R638 and identifies significant challenges in enforcement. Key challenges include budgetary constraints, insufficient training, lack of institutional capacity, and non-compliance among food handlers. The findings highlight how the absence of stakeholder engagement during the regulation’s formulation has hindered effective implementation. Additionally, the study underscores the complexities of policy networks at different levels of government and the impact of resource allocation on food safety governance. The results suggest that the top-down approach adopted by the Department of Health, although necessary in response to a public health crisis, has led to difficulties in practical enforcement, underscoring the need for more inclusive and well-planned regulatory processes.
Solving science conundrums in the climate-nature-equity polycrisis with integrated transformative scenarios
Pereira, Laura M.; Gibson, Matthew Ford; Abrams, Jesse F.; Brutschin, Elina; Cardenas, Juan Camilo; Cheung, William W.L.; Claudet, Joachim; Cornell, Sarah E.; Daioglou, Vassilis; Duran, America Paz; Gomez-Baggethun, Erik; Harrison, Paula A.; Hebden, Sophie; Johnson, Justin A.; Jouffray, Jean-Baptiste; Karlsson-Vinkhuyzen, Sylvia; Keys, Patrick W.; Kim, HyeJin; Kok, Marcel T.J.; Lundquist, Carolyn J.; Lenton, Timothy M.; Mason-D'Croz, Daniel; McElwee, Pamela; Munera-Roldan, Claudia; Nakicenovic, Nebojsa; Norstrom, Albert V.; Nyasulu, Maganizo K.; Peterson, Garry D.; Pinho, Patricia; Popp, Alexander; Riahi, Keywan; Sumaila, Ussif Rashid; Tobian, Arne; Winkelmann, Ricarda; Wunderling, Nico; Van Vuuren, Detlef; Vervoort, Joost; Zimm, Caroline (Elsevier, 2026-05-15)
Addressing the intertwined climate, biodiversity, and equity crises requires transformative societal change. Yet the scenario frameworks and models used to explore future pathways often reproduce existing institutions, governance systems, and social structures, limiting their ability to imagine more sustainable and just futures. A key gap is the lack of approaches that can identify and evaluate transformative actions while accounting for systemic inequities in implementation. Here, we argue that integrating climate and biodiversity knowledge across the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities, together with stakeholders and diverse knowledge holders, can support the development of normative scenarios and models for just and sustainable Earth system futures. We outline a research agenda, highlight emerging examples of this shift, and identify the coalitions and institutional changes needed to advance it. More inclusive scenarios and modeling tools are essential for foregrounding equitable solution pathways and informing decisions about collective futures.
Include chiefs, increase legitimacy? Local perceptions of conservation management
Dahlberg, Moa; Matti, Simon; Ntuli, Herbert (Routledge, 2026)
This article diverges from the debate on whether incorporating local hereditary institutions, such as chiefs in Africa, enhances or diminishes regime legitimacy in areas of limited statehood. In many countries in the Global South, implementing decentralised governance systems in natural resource management has enhanced the power of chiefs. To advance our understanding of the associations between these hybrid governance systems and legitimacy, this article argues that we should broaden the concept of legitimacy and examine local citizens' perceptions and attitudes. Drawing on extensive fieldwork by the authors, including data collected through structured face-to-face surveys with over 1000 respondents residing in areas with local hereditary institutions in South Africa, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe, we provide a framework for understanding the forms of legitimacy associated with the inclusion of chiefs in the governance of conservation areas. The results indicate that perceived inclusion of chiefs is associated with a governance process that reflects the views and concerns of local communities, is inclusive, transparent, and fair, and also demonstrates the system’s ability to deliver local benefits. These findings make theoretical contributions to the literature on hybrid governance and provide valuable empirical insights for developing natural resource management systems in areas with weak state capacity.
Impact of smallholder farmers' agricultural credit guarantee scheme on rice productivity in Shinyanga and Iringa regions, Tanzania
Sanka, Marco; Makhura, Moraka Nakedi (Springer, 2025-09-22)
Rice is the staple food crop, ranked second after maize in Tanzania. However, despite its significance as both a staple and cash crop, rice productivity in the country remains low, averaging 2.2t/ha compared to the global average of 4.5t/ha. This productivity gap is mainly due to low adoption of agricultural technologies, attributed to limited access to credit. To address these challenges, the government, in collaboration with development partners, implemented the Smallholder Farmers Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme (SCGS) by providing guarantees to encourage selected financial institutions to extend credit to smallholder farmers. This study applied an endogenous switching regression (ESR) and propensity score matching (PSM) techniques to analyse the impact of SCGS on rice productivity using survey data collected in 2024 from 500 randomly selected smallholder rice farmers in Iringa and Shinyanga regions of Tanzania. The findings indicate that gender, land ownership, farm size, savings, improved seeds and fertilisers significantly influence rice productivity. The estimated ATT indicates that participants experience approximately 25% higher productivity than non-participants. In the counterfactual scenario, smallholder farmers who participated would have produced 8% less than if they had not participated in the SCGS. Moreover, smallholder farmers who did not participate would have produced 5% more if they had participated. This study concludes that, while both groups may benefit from the SCGS, the smallholder rice farmers who participated benefit the most from participation. Therefore, the study underlines the significant positive impact of SCGS on rice productivity and recommends designing well-targeted credit interventions to enhance agricultural performance.
Search for intellectual diversity to unmask policy denialism
Ntombela, Sifiso Mboneni (Routledge, 2026)
South Africa’s agricultural legislation has undergone substantial reforms in the past centuries, spanning the colonial, apartheid and democratic regimes. Notably, the policy framework evolved from a regulated landscape to one that ascribes to principles of a free market, liberalised trade and minimum government involvement, underpinned by the neoliberal epistemology. Since 1994, most sectoral laws have advanced inclusive agricultural growth, land equality and commercialisation. Notwithstanding the improved agricultural growth and footprint in export markets, the structure of agriculture remained characterised by dualism and skewed landownership patterns despite policy reforms. This signals the invisible hand of market forces that have unintentionally excluded small-scale farmers in the democratic epoch. Most policy studies in the past 31-years attributed the sustained dualism problem to small-scale farmers’ technical inefficiencies and budget limitations, coupled with the state’s executional deficiencies. This address argues that executional failure is not sufficient to explain small-scale farmers’ problems. It contends that the dominant research paradigm of accrediting small-scale farmers’ underdevelopment to implementation failures tends to mask policy denialism that has maintained market power relations and wealth distribution channels in the democratic dispensation. This address encourages intellectual diversity to stimulate a new wave of agricultural policy reforms for inclusive agriculture. It illustrates that, while commercialisation is a practical developmental model, it treats policy as a technical outcome instead of being a consequence of a contested space influenced by market and institutional structures. This tends to minimise structural and systematic challenges faced by small-scale farmers in the country.
Understanding decisions of rural youth to participate in livestock farming : some evidence from South Africa
Baloyi, R.; Wale, Edilegnaw; Ningi, T.; Ndaba, L.; Tamako, N. (Adonis and Abbey Publishers, 2025-03)
South Africa continues to experience high rates of youth unemployment with very limited participation of youth in agriculture-related activities. Dissecting the agricultural sector and exploring various subsectors that are attractive to youth remain vital when aiming at reducing youth unemployment and poverty in the country. The study aimed to provide empirical insights into factors influencing rural youth’s decision to participate in livestock farming as well as to understand key challenges faced. A sample of 224 rural youth was obtained from two districts in KwaZulu-Natal. The study employed descriptive statistics and a Probit model. The descriptive statistics indicated that about 76% of the interviewed youth were engaged in some form of livestock farming, with only 33% engaged with the intention to sell. The Probit model results indicated that socio-economic factors and livelihood assets, particularly intangible assets such as social capital and mindset, influence rural youth’s propensity to participate in livestock farming. This suggests that development practitioners should focus on improving both the tangible and intangible livelihood assets of the youth when aiming at improving and maintaining their participation in the subsector.
Internalising externalities in Kenya's green bean value chain : implications for stakeholder and policy actions
Odhiambo, Valiant Otieno; Hendriks, Sheryl L.; Selomane, Odirilwe; Von Braun, Joachim (Walter de Gruyter, 2026-03-03)
Reducing the hidden costs (negative externalities) in Kenya’s green bean value chain could ensure a more environmentally sustainable, human health protecting and socially equitable value chain. However, existing research has not addressed which strategies farmers, packhouses and traders are willing to adopt to reduce (internalise) environmental, health and social externalities in this value chain. This study was conducted to identify internalisation options for the externalities in Kenya’s value chain and explore stakeholders’ willingness to adopt these options. Data were collected through a literature review and focus group discussions and analysed using a multi-criteria decision analysis. Stakeholders were willing to adopt or accept 60 out of 78 identified internalisation options. Farmers, packhouse operators and traders significantly preferred financial incentives over mandatory and voluntary internalisation measures. They were unwilling to adopt many of the voluntary options, especially those involving substantial initial costs. Stakeholders are legally obligated to comply with mandatory measures, such as fees, fines, permits, standards and taxes. Their acceptance of mandatory measures indicated a fear of severe repercussions for non-compliance. Internalising negative externalities requires strategies that align stakeholder interests (profit maximisation at minimum cost) with government enforcement and monitoring. These strategies should include a combination of financial incentives, mandatory strategies and voluntary measures. The Kenyan government must strengthen the capacity of public regulatory agencies to monitor and penalise stakeholders who generate negative externalities. The findings can guide stakeholders and policymakers in developing and implementing strategies for encouraging and enforcing accountability, transparency and responsibility for externalities.
Unequal competition : the fate of domestic fisheries facing distant water fishing in the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean
Carvalho, Adriana Rosa; Villasante, Sebastian; Lazzari, Natali; Issifu, Ibrahim; Kinds, Arne; Majluf, Patricia; Palomares, Maria Lourdes; Skerritt, Daniel J.; Alam, Lubna; Lam, Vicky W.Y.; Noleto-Filho, Eurico Mesquita; Reis-Filho, José Amorim; Teh, Louise; Teh, Lydia; Sumaila, Ussif Rashid (Nature Research, 2025-07)
The growing presence of Distant Water Fishing (DWF) fleets has intensified competition for marine resources, particularly where domestic fisheries operate under weak governance. This study examines the interaction between DWF and domestic fleets in the Central Southwestern Atlantic Ocean using 15 years (2001–2016) of tuna fishery data from the Sea Around Us database. Key findings show that DWF fleets are more efficient, with higher catch per unit of effort (CPUE), and have increasingly encroached into the exclusive economic zones (EEZs) and even the Territorial Seas of coastal nations, traditionally reserved for small-scale fishers. From 2012 to 2016, domestic fleets consistently showed lower fishing effort and received lower tuna prices than DWF fleets. The growing presence of DWF nearshore pressures domestic fleets to seek subsidies to remain viable. The study underscores the need for stronger national and global regulatory frameworks to protect developing nations’ fisheries and ensure equitable, sustainable ocean resource use.
Determinants of market choices among beef cattle farmers in uMgungundlovu District of Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa
Mkhize, Rachel S.; Mokolopi, Gloria; Chipfupa, Unity; Loki, Olwethu (MDPI, 2026-02-11)
Globally, the demand for beef and beef-related products has significantly escalated over the past decade. This study aimed to evaluate the factors influencing the market participation of smallholder beef cattle farmers in uMgungundlovu, South Africa. The study employed a cross-sectional research design, which followed a mixed-methods approach to collect data. Survey data were collected from smallholder cattle farmers from the uMgungundlovu District in KwaZulu-Natal using a semi-structured questionnaire. Purposive sampling was employed to select four local municipalities from the uMgungundlovu District out of a total of seven, whereas a simple random sampling was used to recruit farmers. The sampling was conducted using Microsoft Excel, whereby each farmer was allocated a random number, and then the required sample was generated from those numbers. To determine factors that influence farmers’ market choice, a multinomial logit regression model was used. A significant proportion of the farmers (43.1%) were aged between 51 and 70, followed by 35.5% aged 31 to 50. Just under half (48.2%) of farmers had received formal training in livestock production. This finding (p < 0.001) reinforces the central role of education in income determination. Better-educated individuals tend to earn more and diversify their income sources. This study underpinned that the livestock farming population is dominated by primarily middle-aged, male, semi-educated, and resource-poor individuals, and they rely significantly on traditional farming methods and government assistance. The multinomial logit regression revealed that farmers’ market choices are influenced by education level, extension service quality, access to quality bulls, and breeding knowledge significantly influenced farmers’ market choices. Specifically, secondary and tertiary education reduced the likelihood of participating in auction markets relative to informal markets, while limited breeding knowledge and poor extension services further constrained participation in formal channels.
Governance and resilience as entry points for transforming food systems in the countdown to 2030
Schneider, Kate R.; Remans, Roseline; Bekele, Tesfaye Hailu; Aytekin, Destan; Conforti, Piero; Dasgupta, Shouro; DeClerck, Fabrice; Dewi, Deviana; Fabi, Carola; Gephart, Jessica A.; Masuda, Yuta J.; McLaren , Rebecca; Saisana, Michaela; Aburto, Nancy; Ambikapathi, Ramya; Rodriguez, Mariana Arellano; Barquera, Simon; Battersby, Jane; Beal , Ty; Béné, Christophe; Cafiero, Carlo; Campeau, Christine; Caron , Patrick; Cattaneo, Andrea; Candel, Jeroen; Covic, Namukolo; Del Pino Alvarez, Inmaculada; Barreto, Ana Paula Dominguez; Elouafi, Ismahane; Frazier , Tyler J.; Fremier, Alexander; Foley, Pat; Golden, Christopher D.; Fischer, Carlos Gonzalez; Guarin, Alejandro; Hendriks, Sheryl L.; Herforth , Anna; Honorati, Maddalena; Huang, Jikun; Getaneh, Yonas; Kennedy, Gina; Laar, Amos; Lal, Rattan; Lidder, Preetmoninder; Feye, Getachew Legese; Loken , Brent; Malapit, Hazel; Marshall, Quinn; Mulatu, Kalkidan A.; Munguia, Ana; Nordhagen, Stella; Resnick , Danielle; Suhardiman, Diana; Sumaila, Rashid; Sun, Bangyao; Mengesha, Belay Terefe; Cullen, Maximo Torero; Tubiello, Francesco N.; Van Dooren, Corné; Morales, Isabel Valero; Vivero-Pol, Jose-Luis; Webb, Patrick; Wiebe , Keith; Haddad, Lawrence; Herrero, Mario; Moncayo, Jose Rosero; Fanzo, Jessica (Nature Research, 2025-01-14)
Due to complex interactions, changes in any one area of food systems are likely to impact—and possibly depend on—changes in other areas. Here we present the first annual monitoring update of the indicator framework proposed by the Food Systems Countdown Initiative, with new qualitative analysis elucidating interactions across indicators. Since 2000, we find that 20 of 42 indicators with time series have been trending in a desirable direction, indicating modest positive change. Qualitative expert elicitation assessed governance and resilience indicators to be most connected to other indicators across themes, highlighting entry points for action—particularly governance action. Literature review and country case studies add context to the assessed interactions across diets, environment, livelihoods, governance and resilience indicators, helping different actors understand and navigate food systems towards desirable change.

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