Abstract: The paucity of literature on the contribution of the informal market of vegetable vendors on improving the income level of households in rural areas forms the basis of this paper. Informal markets play a significant role in the informal economy in rural areas. However, there are no conclusive evidence that set a clear causal relationship between the informal market and the income levels of rural households rendering vegetable vendors invisible, especially in rural areas that are believed to heavily rely on on-farm activities for their livelihoods. Using a descriptive approach on a sample size of 103 traders in Kapsoit and Ahero markets the study shows that vegetable vending had a statistically significant influence on household income levels. The study established that vegetable vending in the informal market was gendered and dominated by more women 90% than men 10%. Findings also revealed that vegetable vending was a major source of income among the majority (67%) of the vendors’ households. On average a vendor earns Kshs 300 daily from the vegetable vending business and spends between Kshs 150-200 daily. The study concludes that vegetable vending in the informal market presents a lucrative income-generating activity that should be embraced and supported by the government through targeted investment, policy, and training. The authors recommend that Informal market key players such as the county government trade and commerce department should introduce entrepreneurial training for vegetable vendors to increase their business skills and income management.

Abstract: The study assessed family income on pupil’s education and academic performance in primary school in Arusha City, Tanzania. The objectives of study were to: investigate the effects of family income on pupil’s education and their academic performance in primary school and examine coping strategies employed by families in order to achieve pupil’s academic performance in primary school in Arusha City. Descriptive research designs and mixed methods research approach were adopted. The respondents sampled were; 20 teachers, 23 parents and 23 standard seven pupils of public primary schools. Questionnaires were employed to collect quantitative data from teachers while interview guides collected qualitative data from pupils and parents. Validity was established through expert judgment whereas a pilot study was conducted to test for Reliability which was found to correlate at Cronbach coefficient Alpha value of r = 0.85. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics in the SPSS and results were presented in tables of frequencies and percentages. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically. The study findings revealed that most pupils come from low income families, consequently their parents’ constraint in enhancing their participation in education. Pupils whose parents have higher income have better access to quality schools and are likely to post better academic performance. Furthermore, as strategy, the government should provide support to low income families to empower parents economically in order to enhance their contributions towards the school requirements. The study recommends that there is need to encourage and support programme that motivate parents to participate in their pupil’s education.

Received March 5, 2018; Revised April 6, 2018; Accepted April 12, 2018

Abstract: Agriculture is the mainstay of many economies in the developing world. The sector, however, is facing a myriad of challenges, most notably, climate change and its associated risks. Unreliable and unpredictable rainfall patterns have continuously decimated agricultural productivity and overall household welfare. Therefore, many households are increasingly diversifying into the non-farm sector to supplement their agricultural income and thus adapt to climate change. With projections pointing to more frequent and severe climate change conditions, there is urgent need to develop and/or strengthen existing adaptation mechanisms. To this end, the current study focused on non-farm activities and climate change adaptation in Kathonzweni sub-county, an ASAL region in Kenya. Specifically, the study assessed the nature, characteristics and significance of non-farm activities pursued by farmers in the study area in an effort to circumvent the effects of climate change. A descriptive survey design was employed while multistage sampling was used to determine the sample size of 313 from a population of 41878 households. Data collection was effected using a semi-structured questionnaire. Based on the study findings, nonfarm activities play an important role in household adaptability to climate change impacts. A Pearson correlation between various income and total household income established a strong positive correlation for non-farm income (r=0.873, p=0.000), a moderately positive correlation for farm income (r=0.474, p=0.00) and a weak positive correlation for ‘other’ sources of income (r=0.171, p=0.024). The study recommends increased government efforts in capacity building of rural populations as well as in the establishment of sustainable non-farm enterprises