In our research we assess the sustainability performance of 400 smallholder farms practicing organic (i.e. certified or non-certified) and non-organic agriculture (i.e. conventional or other) using the Sustainability Monitoring and Assessment RouTine (SMART)-Farm Tool and examine differences between these farm categories using multivariate analyses. We also identify general gaps in sustainability performance for all farms. Murang'a County, Kajiado County.

This set of interviews is part of the 'Farmer Empowerment' project that focused on the impact of farmer organizations (FOs) on the socio-economic development of their FO-members. The interviews were conducted within a second field research in order to gather information on specific impact pathways of selected FOs that work to empower respective FO-members.

In our research we assess the sustainability performance of 400 smallholder farms practicing organic (i.e. certified or non-certified) and non-organic agriculture (i.e. conventional or other) using the Sustainability Monitoring and Assessment RouTine (SMART)-Farm Tool and examine differences between these farm categories using multivariate analyses. We also identify general gaps in sustainability performance for all farms.

This set of interviews is part of the 'Farmer Empowerment' project that focused on the impact of farmer organizations (FOs) on the socio-economic development of their FO-members. The interviews were conducted within a second field research in order to gather information on specific impact pathways of selected FOs that work to empower respective FO-members.

This set of interviews is part of the 'Farmer Empowerment' project that focused on the impact of farmer organizations (FOs) on the socio-economic development of their FO-members. The interviews were conducted within a second field research in order to gather information on specific impact pathways of selected FOs that work to empower respective FO-members.

Using the methodology developed by Graw and Husmann (2014), the map overlays three indicators (high agricultural potential, high poverty mass and high yield gaps) to identify areas with high potential for agricultural development and poverty reduction in Kenya. Data sources and thresholds: Agricultural potential: Suitability of currently available land area for rainfed crops, using maximising crop and technology mix, FGGD map 6.61 (2005), High: top 3 suitability classes (medium high, high and very high) Poverty mass: Number of poor people in Kenya (by district), KIHBS (2005/06), High: >300,000 per district Yield gap: Yield gap for a combination of major crops, FAO/IIASA - GAEZ (2000/05), High: < 0.25 (on a scale from 0-1, with the highest value in Kenya ca. 0.44) District boundaries: Kenya Central Bureau of Statistics (2003)

This set of interviews is part of the 'Farmer Empowerment' project that focused on the impact of farmer organizations (FO) on the socio-economic development of their FO-member. The interviews were conducted within a first field research in order to gather information on institutional settings of FOs and to identify empowering approaches and empowering areas of Farmer Organizations.

In a randomized field experiment action- and outcome-based payments for environmental services (PES) were examined. The main aim of the study was to investigate the effect of the outcome-based contracts in conservation auctions, and to prove the theoretical prediction on their improved environmental performance. In addition, the study examined gendered behavior. The data sheet contains data from the (i) baseline survey, (ii) experimental auction, (iii) environmental performance (tree survival) and tree watering monitoring, and (iv) evaluation survey. (i) All households at both right and left riverbanks of the Kapingazi River, in the demarcated research sites, were targeted for the study. In total 427 households received invitation to participate in our study, out of which 411 provided data for an extensive baseline survey. Aiming at a gender-balanced study, a random draw was used to determine whether a male or female household representative is to be approached. (ii) The auctions took place on December 14, 2011. In total, 234 landholders participated in the conservation auctions. The participants were stratified upon income level and gender, and from each stratum the farmers were randomly assigned to one of the two treatments - either the auction for action- or outcome-based contracts. The total budget for both auctions was approximately 1,770,000 KES (around 20,000 US$) while aiming at an equal number of contracts for each treatment. Consequently, 60 contracts in each of the two auctions could be offered. Due to number of farmers opting for a drop-out, 44 action-based and 54 outcome-based contracts were finally signed. The conservation contracts requested to plant 30 indigenous trees on the riparian area, without any further limitations on the land use. In the action-based contract the payments were conditional on finding the soil around the trees to have sufficient levels of soil moisture at the time of monitoring. Under the outcome-based contracts the payments depended on the tree survival after the six-month period, independently of the actions taken. (iii) During the contract period, the landholders with action-based contracts were monitored twice on the compliance with the tree-watering requirement. Farmers with the outcome-based contracts were monitored on the tree survivals at the end of the contract period, in June 2012. At the same time, tree survival rates of the action-based PES scheme were recorded for the research purpose. (iv) The conservation payments were awarded in July 2012, and subsequently an evaluation survey with the contract holders was conducted.

This set of interviews is part of the 'Farmer Empowerment' project that focused on the impact of farmer organizations (FO) on the socio-economic development of their FO-member. The interviews were conducted within a first field research in order to gather information on institutional settings of FOs and to identify empowering approaches and empowering areas of Farmer Organizations.