| dc.description.abstract | The assessment of environmental factors on the sustainability of income-generating
activities has emerged as a critical area of research. This study aimed at assessing the
Environmental Factors and Sustainability of Income Generating Activities of Pastoral
Field Schools in Baringo County, Kenya: A Case of Kamar Pastoral Field School in
Mogotio Sub County. The specific objectives of the study were to assess how physical
resources, socio-cultural factors and ecological factors influence the sustainability of
income generating activities of Pastoral Field Schools in Baringo County, Kenya. The
study utilized the Resource Dependency theory and the theory of Profit Maximization as
a guiding framework to have in-depth understanding of how organizations initiate
entrepreneurial activities to supplement its income and maximize its profit. The target
population for the study was 600 and the sample size was 240 which was determined
using Yamane Taro’s formula. The respondents were proportionately selected using
stratified random simple sampling method. Key informants were purposively selected
from relevant departments. Research instruments used were questionnaires and key
informants’ guides. The reliability and validity of the instruments were evaluated through
Cronbach’s alpha analysis whereby, the variables in the study surpassed the cutoff value
of 0.7, suggesting that the constructs were reliable. Descriptive statistics were used to
summarize the data for each of the study's objectives. Inferential statistics, including
correlation and regression analyses, were employed to understand the relationships
between the variables. Qualitative data was collected through interviews and analyzed
using a qualitative approach that involved identifying patterns, trends, relationships, and
themes in the data obtained. The results revealed that there was a significant relationship
between Physical resources and sustainability of income generating activities of Kamar
Pastoral Field School on account of Pearson Chi-square statistic being (0.903, p < 0.01).
Additionally, the test revealed that there was significant relationship between both social-
cultural factors and ecological factors and sustainability of IGA of Kamar Pastoral Field
school on account of Pearson Chi-square statistic being (r = 0.899, p < 0.01), and (r =
0.920, p < 0.01) respectively. The findings emphasized the importance of physical
resources, social cultural factors and ecological factors on the sustainability of income
generating activities. Based on the study’s conclusions, policy and practice
recommendations, support for the expansion of farm sizes, encourage practices that allow
for larger farm sizes can help pastoralists take advantage of economies of scale,
improving resource management and overall productivity. Larger farms can support more
sustainable and efficient operations, contributing to the long-term viability of pastoral
income-generating activities. Further research should focus on exploring the impact of
gender roles and dynamics on the sustainability of income generating activities (IGAs)
and particularly on the involvement of women as well as understanding how gender
influences decision-making, resource access, and participation in IGAs. This can provide
insights on how to promote greater gender equity and enhance the sustainability of IGAs.
Further research should also be conducted to assess the long-term impacts of climate
change on pastoral livelihoods and IGAs as well as comparison of the sustainability of
IGAs in different pastoral communities across Kenya can help identify best practices and
common challenges. Such studies would highlight successful strategies and areas needing
improvement, offering a broader perspective on how different communities manage their
IGAs and what factors contribute to their success or difficulties. | en_US |
