http://repository.mut.ac.ke:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/2929 2026-04-07T13:12:36Z http://repository.mut.ac.ke:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/6123 Adjusting Academic Library Services to Covid 19 Prevention Protocols Thuo, Martha W. The Covid 19 pandemic has presented challenges in the provision of library services in academic libraries. The pandemic has affected the mode of library operations and therefore librarians had to shift to virtual library services and also adopt to new ways of providing their normal physical library services while observing Covid 19 prevention protocols. Due to these unexpected challenges, this study finds out the type of library services offered, working patterns and strategies applied by academic libraries in Kenya in response to Covid 19. Google form questionnaires were administered to librarians in ten academic libraries. Semi structured interview was also conducted to five librarians in the same selected academic libraries. The study found majority of the libraries have adjusted their services and facilities to the Covid 19 prevention protocols though frequent cleaning of the main reading areas have been overlooked. Libraries have also adopted the use of virtual library services in dissemination of most of electronics resources but the main challenges hindering improved transition to virtual services are poor library infrastructure and slow internet connection, lack of adequate skilled staff, lack of support in purchasing of core e-books, e-journals and e-newspapers. During the academic institutions closure, librarians were relying on provision of online resources and this was faced with barriers of digital divide and unaffordable internet access among users. Library working schedules changed and librarians had to reduce their operating hours to adjust to the national curfew guidelines. The study recommends initiatives to be adopted by academic libraries in order to meet user information needs during and after Covid 19 pandemic period. 2021-11-01T00:00:00Z http://repository.mut.ac.ke:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/4714 Farmers Willingness to Pay and the Sustainability of Irrigated Maize Production in Rural Kenya Otieno, Dennis; Odhiambo, N.; Bii, H. This paper evaluated farmers willingness to pay for irrigated maize production using field level data collected through a cross sectional survey. The results showed that 78% of the farmers were willing to pay more than the men willingness to pay of 3,082. This was above the average payment that farmers were making. It was also noted that willingness to pay increased with increase in irrigation rates. Labour, tail end farms, and enforcement of scheme level rules and regulations will enhance willingness to pay. Efficient factor use is an important factor influencing the amount paid for irrigation. Although the economic value of water was found to be greater than the willingness to pay implying that irrigated maize production is sustainable, irrigation services in Kenya are highly subsidized by the government. We therefore recommend farmer training, empowering water user associations to help enforce irrigation management processes as a way of enhancing farmers’ willingness to pay. On sustainability of irrigated maize production, we recommend that market forces be allowed to establish the price of irrigation services. 2017-07-01T00:00:00Z http://repository.mut.ac.ke:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/4713 Can irrigation be an answer to Kenya’s food security problem? Otieno, Dennis; Kirimi, L.; Odhiambo, N. Irrigation development is one strategy the government can use to improve food security in Kenya. Lessons from irrigated maize production studies show that it is profitable and that Galana Kulalu food security project has the potential to produce about half of the country’s food requirement contributing significantly to food security and the GDP through the incomes earned. However, high costs due to inefficient use of fertilizer, water and land are the major cost factors that have caused doubts and low level engagement in irrigated maize production. It is thus recommended that efficient use of land, fertilizer and water under both intensive and extensive maize production under irrigation, would contribute to lowering the unit cost of production and lead to increased food production. 2015-10-01T00:00:00Z http://repository.mut.ac.ke:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/4712 Disentangling farmers’ preferences and cost allocation among inputs for food security in Vihiga District, Kenya Nyangweso, P. M.; Odhiambo, M. O.; Odunga, P. O.; Korir, M. K.; Otieno, Dennis Vihiga, one of the poorest and densely populated districts in Kenya, is perpetually in food deficit. Poor welfare and a low resource base continue to curtail efforts to circumvent food insecurity among households in the district. In their current financial status, what are their preferences when it comes to choosing inputs for food production? How do they allocate their scarce input expenditure among the various inputs required for food production? What are their major considerations when they are making such choices? Descriptive statistics were used to determine input preferences and cost distribution among the farm inputs. Cluster sampling was used with divisions forming the main clusters in the district. Using systematic random sampling, 50 households were selected from each cluster resulting in a sample of 300. Results show that labour cost pre-dominates farm input cost followed by fertilizers and seed maize. Out of the total labour cost, land preparation, weeding and shelling account for the largest part, the balance being accounted for by planting, harvesting, topdressing and transport activities. Similarly, inorganic fertilizer is the major contributor to soil amendment costs, and local seed is preferred due to its low acquisition costs, while hybrid H 614 is preferred to other hybrid seed due to its performance and other desirable properties like low postharvest losses during handling. Knowledge of farmers’ input preferences and a deeper understanding of contributors to input cost are critical for proper planning of farmers production, especially when production is rain fed. 2011-03-01T00:00:00Z