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Message from Dr. Hezron N. Isaboke
Welcome to the Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension website. The Department is housed in the School of Agriculture of the University of Embu. It offers market demand driven programmes in agricultural economics, agribusiness, and agricultural education and extension. All our programmes are approved and respective degrees accredited by the Commission for University Education in Kenya and are regionally and internationally recognized.
The Department focuses on training and mentoring students with the aim of developing adaptive skills that have made our graduates highly competitive in the job market. The Department has a competent team of well-experienced and committed academic staff. Teaching follows a learner-centred approach and the staff employ multiple methodologies to teaching and mentoring students at all levels of training. Taking cognizance of the need to employ innovative pedagogy, which requires appropriate facilities, the Department will continue to invest in facilities that promote active learning, problem and project-based learning, team work and peer learning in addition to conventional learning environment.
Alongside teaching, our faculty members engage in various professional consultancy works with private organizations, government, non-governmental and international organizations. In addition, our staff and students undertake cutting-edge research through collaborations/as individuals in agricultural and resource use/economics and extension. In this, we study topical issues in climate change with emphasis on climate smart Agriculture, environmental economics, and the economics of water resources. Also covered are areas in agribusiness, farm and food systems, production efficiency as well as technology adoption and transfer among others.
Currently, the department implementing a project on enhancing livelihoods through access to poultry feeds among smallholders in post Covid-19 era in Eastern Kenya. In the last one year (2022), the department has successfully concluded a number of strategic projects including; ‘Scaling-Up Pathways of Last Mile Climate Information Services for Community Resilience in Kenya and Uganda supported by IDRC, Validating Climate Smart Water Harvesting Technologies to Increase Food and Nutrition Security in Semi-arid Kenya, and Improving Irrigation Water Use Efficiency and Functionality of Irrigation Schemes for Food Security projects with support from the Kenya Climate Smart Agriculture Programme.
Further, as part of our community engagements, the Department continually carries out farmers’ training in order to enhance knowledge sharing and partnerships with community-based organizations. To consolidate the gains made in research and community outreach, the department continues partner with national and regional bodies through signing of memoranda of understanding.
Dr. Hezron N. Isaboke, PhD
Chairman, Department of Agricultural Economics & Extension
University of Embu -
Departmental Staff Profiles
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Latest Publications from the Department
- Kirimi, A. K., Nyarindo, W. N., & Gatimbu, K. K. (2024). Is adoption of modern dairy farming technologies interrelated? A case of smallholder dairy farmers in Meru County, Kenya. Heliyon, 10(e38157). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e38157
- Nthiga, K.M., Ndirangu, S.N. and Isaboke H.N. (2024). Exploring Factors Influencing Market Engagement and Marketing Channel Selection among Smallholder Macadamia Farmers in Embu West Sub County, Kenya. Journal of Global Innovations in Agricultural Sciences 12:333-339
- Otieno, E. O., Mucheru-Muna, M. W., Kifuko-Koech, M. N., Kamau, C. N., Ndung'u-Magiroi, K. W., Mogaka, H., & Mugwe, J. N. (2024). Strategic research in the domain of secondary nutrients, micronutrients, liming and 4R stewardship in sub-Saharan Africa. Environmental Challenges, 100960. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envc.2024.100960
- Nyarindo, W. N., Mugera, A., Hailu, A., & Obare, G. A. (2024). Do combined sustainable agricultural intensification practices improve smallholder farmers welfare? Evidence from eastern and western Kenya. Agricultural Economics. https://doi.org/10.1111/agec.12816
- Njue, P. N., Isaboke, H. N., & Migose, S. A. (2023). Contribution of dairy goat farming to household dietary diversity among smallholder farmers in the Central Highlands of Kenya. Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development in the Tropics and Subtropics, 124(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.17170/kobra-202302217524
- Otara, E. N., Mogaka, H. R., Ndirangu, S. N., & Mugwe, J. N. (2023). Socioeconomic Factors Influencing Uptake of Regenerative Agriculture Technologies in the Dry-lands of Embu County, Kenya. Journal of Agricultural Extension, 27(1), 1-12.