Assessing the factors underlying differences in achievements of farmer groups: methodological issues and empirical findings from the highlands of central Kenya

This paper examines the performance of rural-based community groups in Central Kenya and addresses the methodological issues and challenges faced in doing this. Performance measures included subjective and objective ratings of success, including more objectively verifiable measures at household and...

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Autores principales: Place, Frank, Kariuki, G., Wangila, J., Makauki, A., Ndubi, J., Kristjanson, Patricia M.
Formato: Journal Article
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: Elsevier 2004
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/667
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author Place, Frank
Kariuki, G.
Wangila, J.
Makauki, A.
Ndubi, J.
Kristjanson, Patricia M.
author_browse Kariuki, G.
Kristjanson, Patricia M.
Makauki, A.
Ndubi, J.
Place, Frank
Wangila, J.
author_facet Place, Frank
Kariuki, G.
Wangila, J.
Makauki, A.
Ndubi, J.
Kristjanson, Patricia M.
author_sort Place, Frank
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description This paper examines the performance of rural-based community groups in Central Kenya and addresses the methodological issues and challenges faced in doing this. Performance measures included subjective and objective ratings of success, including more objectively verifiable measures at household and group levels, derived from a survey of 87 groups and 442 households within four sites. Empirical evidence regarding explanatory factors for relative performance levels is presented using a special sample of 40 groups involved in tree nursery activities, with both descriptive analysis and regression models. Collective action is desired and practised for many tasks. The incredible number, diversity and dynamic nature of groups make it difficult to standardise and measure achievement. Choice and level of performance measures matters in explaining differences in group achievement. Focusing on groups undertaking similar activities allows deeper analysis of performance drivers. Examining different types of groups engaged tree nurseries found that performance was not linked to any easy-to-measure group characteristic, implying that for this task dissemination need not be targeted towards particular types of groups. Assessing the factors underlying Differences in Achievements of Farmer Groups: Methodological Issues and Empirical Findings from the Highlands of Central Kenya.
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spelling CGSpace6672025-11-12T04:24:34Z Assessing the factors underlying differences in achievements of farmer groups: methodological issues and empirical findings from the highlands of central Kenya Place, Frank Kariuki, G. Wangila, J. Makauki, A. Ndubi, J. Kristjanson, Patricia M. This paper examines the performance of rural-based community groups in Central Kenya and addresses the methodological issues and challenges faced in doing this. Performance measures included subjective and objective ratings of success, including more objectively verifiable measures at household and group levels, derived from a survey of 87 groups and 442 households within four sites. Empirical evidence regarding explanatory factors for relative performance levels is presented using a special sample of 40 groups involved in tree nursery activities, with both descriptive analysis and regression models. Collective action is desired and practised for many tasks. The incredible number, diversity and dynamic nature of groups make it difficult to standardise and measure achievement. Choice and level of performance measures matters in explaining differences in group achievement. Focusing on groups undertaking similar activities allows deeper analysis of performance drivers. Examining different types of groups engaged tree nurseries found that performance was not linked to any easy-to-measure group characteristic, implying that for this task dissemination need not be targeted towards particular types of groups. Assessing the factors underlying Differences in Achievements of Farmer Groups: Methodological Issues and Empirical Findings from the Highlands of Central Kenya. 2004-12 2010-02-21T09:56:58Z 2010-02-21T09:56:58Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/667 en Open Access application/pdf Elsevier Place, F.; Kariuki, G.; Wangila, J.; Makauki, A.; Ndubi, J.; Kristjanson, P. 2004. Assessing the factors underlying differences in achievements of farmer groups: methodological issues and empirical findings from the highlands of central Kenya. Agricultural Systems. vol. 82(3). p. 197-353.
spellingShingle Place, Frank
Kariuki, G.
Wangila, J.
Makauki, A.
Ndubi, J.
Kristjanson, Patricia M.
Assessing the factors underlying differences in achievements of farmer groups: methodological issues and empirical findings from the highlands of central Kenya
title Assessing the factors underlying differences in achievements of farmer groups: methodological issues and empirical findings from the highlands of central Kenya
title_full Assessing the factors underlying differences in achievements of farmer groups: methodological issues and empirical findings from the highlands of central Kenya
title_fullStr Assessing the factors underlying differences in achievements of farmer groups: methodological issues and empirical findings from the highlands of central Kenya
title_full_unstemmed Assessing the factors underlying differences in achievements of farmer groups: methodological issues and empirical findings from the highlands of central Kenya
title_short Assessing the factors underlying differences in achievements of farmer groups: methodological issues and empirical findings from the highlands of central Kenya
title_sort assessing the factors underlying differences in achievements of farmer groups methodological issues and empirical findings from the highlands of central kenya
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/667
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