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The Orma Boran—ten years of field observations
(Towards Increased Use of Trypanotolerance: Current Research and Future Directions, 1994) Munga, Leonard
In 1913 Balfour reported Bos indicus cattle in the Koalib area of Sudan which he claimed were immune to trypanosomiasis (Balfour, 1913). Since that date trypanotolerance has been reported in other Bos indicus breeds in Sudan, Zaire, Uganda and Kenya (see Dolan, 1987 for references). Yet, despite these reports in the literature, little effort has been made to investigate the nature or extent of differential susceptibility to trypanosomiasis amongst
Effect of Vesicular-arbuscular Mycorrhiza (vam) Inoculation on Growth Performance of Senna spectabilis
(CIAT, 2004) Kung'u, J.B.
The influence of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza (VAM) fungi inoculation on growth performance of Senna spectabilis was studied in a screen house experiment. The results obtained indicated the dependence of Senna spectabilis on mycorhizal symbiosis. Inoculation with vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza significantly improved the growth performance of Senna spectabilis. The height growth increased significantly by 85% after only three months while the root collar diameter increased by 71%. Shoot production increased by 213% while root biomass increased by 241%. Inoculation with vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza increased plant tissue phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium content. The better growth response of mycorrhizal plants were attributed to improvement in nutrient uptake, especially phosphorous, nitrogen and potassium. Vesiculararbuscular mycorrhiza inoculation has a high potential in agroforestry as a bio-fertilizer. .
Import Substitution as an Industrial Strategy: The Tanzania Case
(2008-12-04) Kuuya, P.M.
1st Five 2nd Five ammonia anhydrite Arusha Declaration backward linkages balance of payments British calcium sulphate capacity capital intensive capitalist cement industry Cement Manufacturers LTD cement plant cement production chemical synthesis choice coal deposits coke colonial consumer costs of production country's current account decision developing countries domestic production East African Community economic activities economists established example export fertiliser plant firm Five Year Plan fuel gypsum horizontal diversification import content import substitution independence industrial strategy industrialisation interest investments investors Kenya Kenya and Uganda kiln labour LDCs limestone machinery Mahalanobis management agreement manpower Mbeya necessary nitrogenous fertilisers output paper bags phosphate Portland Cement Manufacturers problem production per tonne projects raw material inputs Ruhuhu Rweyemamu Salaam salary satellite industries sector set-up steel industry strong industrial base structural distortions substitute imported sulphuric acid Tanga Tanganyika technical total average costs trade type of import Uganda Wazo Hill
Economic returns of organic and mineral fertilizer inputs for soil nutrient replenishment in Meru South district, central Kenya.
(Kenya Forestry Research Institute, 2009) Mugwe, J. N.; Muriuki, J.; Mugendi, D.N.; Kung'u, J.B.; Mucheru-Muna, M.; Merckx, R.
Farmers in the central highlands of Kenya are experiencing low land productivity due to declining soil fertility. On-farm trials were established at two sites in Meru South district, Kenya in 2004 to evaluate economics of using organic and mineral fertilizer inputs to replenish soil fertility. Net benefit, benefit to cost ratio and return to labor were used as the main economic tools. Relationship between ranking of the inputs based on the number of farmers choosing them and ranking based on calculated economic returns was determined using Spearman correlation. In Mukuuni site, net benefits for the two seasons were highest for tithonia plus fertilizer (USD420.9 ha-1), tithonia (USD410.5 ha-1) and tithonia plus manure (USD393.2 ha-1). Similarly in Murugi, net benefits were highest for tithonia plus fertilizer (USD337.9 ha-1), tithonia plus manure (USD314.5 ha-1) and tithonia (USD294.5 ha-1). Returns to labor were highest for fertilizer, manure and tithonia in Mukuuni while in Murugi, fertilizer, tithonia plus fertilizer and tithonia had the highest returns to labor. Majority of the farmers chose technologies combining organic and mineral fertilizer for further trial with 70.5% in Mukuuni and 54.1% in Murugi. Manure and tithonia were the preferred organic inputs possibly due to multiple benefits perceived, though labor requirements were high. There was a positive correlation between ranking of the inputs based on the number of farmers choosing them and ranking based on calculated economic returns. This suggests that economic returns could be used to predict choice of technologies for adoption by farmers.
THE COFFEE CRISIS: Old interests, new interests and illusions of development
(Lambert Academic Publishing, 2009-11-10) Mbataru, P.
Working through the coffee value chain, this work analyses the strategies of stakeholders in the wake of devastating socio-economic effects of the coffee crisis. Between 1985 and 2004, annual coffee production in Kenya fell from 150 000 to 50 000 tons. The fall in quantity and prices consequently affected the livelihoods of over two million people who depended on coffee. But the coffee problem is global in scope, a situation that threatened economies painstakingly built over the years in the south. In Kenya, coffee income in the family budget fell from 40 percent in the 1980s to less than 10 percent in the 2000s. The persistence of the price depression is more than any other in the history of coffee growing. The study asks if there is emerging a society whose economic foundations are not built on coffee: a post-coffee society. This is in the context of radically changing value chain.The study was conducted in Nyeri District in the central highlands of Kenya. The district is the leading producer of coffee in Kenya and is source of some of the best Arabicas in the world. It is a perfect microcosmic mirror of the world of peasant cash crop production and the inherent paradoxes
What affects efficiency of small holder dairy enteprises in rural Kenya?
(FaCT Publishing, 2010) Wambugu, Stephen K.; Maina, Mwangi; Mugambi, D.K.; Gitunu, A.M
Dairy cattle farming is a major economic activity in Kenya contributing 3.5% of the national gross domestic product (GDP), and income, employment and food to many small-scale farmers. The country’s dairy herd size is the biggest in sub-Saharan Africa. Kenya enjoys preferential market access for its products in the eastern and southern African region. However, the country’s milk consumption level is low, at 76Kg per capita against the World Health Organization’s recommendation of 210Kg. Kenya’s milk is not sold in economic quantities beyond its borders; partly due to comparatively low per cow average daily production of 6 kg and unsustainably high cost of production. Questions on the milk production efficiency especially technical and cost efficiencies arise. These issues are being investigated in an ongoing study whose objective is to assess and document the technical and cost efficiencies of dairy farmers, and relate these parameters to the farm gate price of milk and how this affects demand
Smut: An increasing threat to maize production in Kenya
(FaCT Publishing, 2010) Mwangi, Maina; Kirubi, D.
Maize smut occurs globally wherever maize is grown. The disease reduces yields drastically through stunting and formation of galls on the above ground parts of the plant especially on the developing cob and the tassel. In the recent past increased incidence of head smut disease caused by Sphacelotheca reliana (Kuhn) has been observed in parts of central province of Kenya, where maize is the staple diet. Infection usually becomes apparent when grain filling starts when it is often late to commence intervention measures. The pathogen causes enlargement of host tissues with the grains being converted into inedible structures filled with masses of dark spores of the pathogen. Observations indicate that most of the maize varieties grown in these regions are susceptible to infection with incidence reaching upto 50% in many farms. Infection appears to be exacerbated by the close integration of maize farming and dairy animal production through the zero grazing system in the region. The use of infected maize residues as fodder increases disease spread since pathogen spores pass through animal gut undamaged and are returned to the farm in manure, thus serving as sources of primary inoculum for maize crops in the following season. In addition, the pathogen also infects Napier grass which is also widely grown for fodder in the region. Napier not only provides an alternate host for this pathogen but also plays a key role in the continuity of pathogen cycle. Normally, when there is no maize in the fields, farmers ensure there is napier so as to secure fodder supplies, thus the pathogen is assured of a host continuously. Further, the practice of continous maize cultivation on the same pieces of land (without rotation) also favours disease spread since the pathogen’s teliospores can survive in crop debris and in soil, where they remain viable for several years. Considering the increasing incidence and severity of smut infection on maize, and the associated threat to food security, it is necessary that efforts be made to investigate the disease and develop effective management measures. Intervention should consider raising farmer awareness on the management measures, especially the importance of regular scouting and timely removal of the smut galls before they break open and release the spores. Studies are needed to determine the extent of loss being incurred by farmers; to characterize the linkage between dairy farming and smut spread, and to identify resistant maize varieties.
Cassava production and limitation of propagation through tissue culture
(FaCT: Publishing, 2010) Ogero, K.O.; Gitonga, N. M.; Omwoyo, Ombori; Ngugi, M.
With the unrelenting increase in human population it is important that concerted efforts be made to increase crop productivity so as to match the expected increase in food demand. The gravity of this problem is well appreciated considering the fact that the increasing human population is occurring on a planet with constrained and diminishing natural resources. It is therefore important to respond to this challenge by developing and disseminating technologies that increase productivity per unit area, conserve the natural resource base and impact on many rural-based communities. Droughts have played a significant role in food shortages. As a result farmers are being encouraged to grow food crops which are relatively drought tolerant and take a shorter time to mature, such as cassava. Lack of quality planting material of farmer-preferred varieties, produced locally and at a low-cost is, however, a major constraint to cassava production. Tissue culture technology whereby plant cells and tissues are multiplied in vitro under aseptic conditions, offers a feasible solution to this. Tissue culture techniques have been employed to complement and/or aid conventional methods of plant breeding. It has been used as a tool for multiplication of superior clones, ex-situ conservation of valuable germplasm and production of pathogen-free plants. However, the technology is capital, labor and energy intensive hence out of reach for resource poor farmers. Hence, it is necessary to have low cost options for propagation of important plant species.
Banana production, constraints and their propagation methods
(FaCT Publishing, 2010) Kasyoka, Martha Rhoda; Mwangi, Maina; Mbaka, J.; Gitonga, N.; Kori, N.
Banana (Musa species) is an important food crop worldwide (Robinson, 2007). About 70 million people in East and West Africa are estimated to derive more than one quarter of their food energy requirement from plantains (Rowe, 1998). Bananas are chiefly eaten raw as desert fruit, because in the ripe state they are sweet and easily digested. In their unripe state they are used as starchy fruits cooked before eating. They are usually boiled, fried or roasted. The unripe fruits are peeled, wrapped in banana leaves and steamed. They are then pounded into a porridge and eaten, the starchy dish being called Matoke`. Unripe or ripe fruits may sometimes be baked, roasted or fried. In Uganda and Tanzania a nutritious beer is also brewed from plantains and large quantities of this are consumed in the region. Plantains and cooking bananas also form part of the daily diet of people in the Caribbean and Latin America .Apart from their major uses as desert fruits eaten raw, or as starchy fruits cooked before eating, only a relatively small proportion of bananas and plantains are processed to other products. Bananas and plantains do not lend themselves readily to processing because the lack of acidity makes preservation difficult and the year-round availability of fresh fruits also makes preservation unnecessary (Gowen, 1988). In addition there must be sufficient surplus fruits available as rejects from the fresh fruit market, steady supply of such fruits at low price maintained throughout the year, a viable alternative market because fresh fruits are available throughout the year, processed products must receive value-added return compared to fresh fruits because factory infrastructure and labor costs have to be covered. The different products which can be processed from bananas and plantains, and the different procedures involve canning, drying, freezing,extraction, drying or fermentation.
Passion fruit production in Kenya: Opportunities and constraints
(FaCT Publishing, 2010) Wangungu, C.W.; Mwangi, Maina; Gathu, R.K.; Mbaka, J.; Kori, J.N.
Passion fruit is ranked third in importance among the horticultural crops in Kenya. In recent years, the fruit has gained high demand due to activities of beverage producing companies. The fruit has dynamically changed the lives of most farmers, being their source of livelihood. Its wide usage makes it an economical fruit to produce i.e. almost all its products (vines, leaves, pulp, juice and seeds) are useful. In recent years, various challenges have led to low supply threatening the passion industry with collapse. The major challenges are diseases and pests and the effects of climate change. These have led to a 50% decline in fruit production in the past 4 years. Research activities have gathered considerable information but a lot remains to be done to effectively revive the passion fruit sector. This paper discusses some of the issues that should be addressed to support the passion fruit value chain.
Contributions of Agricultural Sciences towards achieving the Millenium Development Goals
(FaCT Publishing, 2010) Mwangi, Maina
All the materials included in this book were originally submitted to the 3rd International e- Conference on Agricultural Biosciences held online from June 1 - 15, 2010. This was an internet based conference designed to enable wide participation of scientists from developing countries. It is recognised that costs, e.g. transportation, hotel accommodation, per diem, visa, etc are one of the major factors hindering participation of scientists from developing countries in international symposia. However, the advent of internet and other web based communication technologies is opening new frontiers, closing the gap between communities in at different levels of development. Through this e-conferencing facility every effort is made to minimise cost related barriers. Participation in this conference is possible from an office, home or any other place with internet access. To widen reach and diversity of presentataion, the participants in the e-confetrences have opportunities to exhibit and publish presentations either as MsWord abstracts, posters or power point slides. In addition, publication of full papaers (after peer review) is possible in the online Journal of Applied BioSciences [ISSN 1997-5902] and the Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences (ISSN 2071- 7024). These are open access journals that are published monthly and are available for free download at http://www.m.elewa.org/journals.php . This book provides an additional way in which scuientists will be able to publish their research outputs. Other proceedings of the e-conference can be accessed at http://www.m.elewa.org/econferenceIeCAB.php. We believe ours is a small but important effort in helping scientists to communicate on the important research they are carrying out in different parts of the world. It is our sincere hope that more and mopre scientists will appreciate this rather new and more cost-efefctive way of communicating on what they do every day. There is no doubt science will be at the forefront of progress in reaching the goals that nations have set ahead of themselves, e.g. the Millenium Development Goals. Each one of us must play our roles to make this a better world for all. At FaCT publications we are committed to providing an enabling and supportive platform to ensure the ourputs of research are communicated to the rest of the world.
Integrated pest management training and information flow among smallholder horticulture farmers in Kenya.
(CABI, 2011) Bekele, N.A.; Mithöfer, D.; Amudavi, D. M; Obare, G.
A study was conducted in 5 districts in Kenya (Muranga, Thika and Maragua in Central Province, and Makueni and Embu in Eastern Province) to determine the factors linked to the acquisition of integrated pest management (IPM) knowledge and sharing among the two different group-based farmers, as well as among farmers operating individually (the control group). Data were collected from May to July 2008 focusing on active smallholder vegetable and fruit producers grouped in three categories: farmer field schools (FFS) members, common interest groups (CIG) members, and control farmers. The control farmers were not members of the two group-based training approaches, but they were sampled from the same villages as the FFS and CIG farmers. According to the marginal effect result, FFS and CIG membership, the number of groups to which farmers belonged (excluding FFS and CIG), farmer household memberś literacy and locality positively and significantly affected IPM knowledge acquisition, whereas household size, land size, permanent labour, casual labour, access to horticulture production information, distance to extension services, farmer visitors, frequency of listening to horticulture production information on the radio, and frequency of reading newspaper articles on horticulture production negatively and significantly affected IPM knowledge acquisition. Knowledge sharing was significantly and positively associated with the number of casual labourers employed, IPM knowledge acquisition, and the number of visitors received, whereas membership in FFS, gender and locality significantly and negatively affected IPM knowledge sharing.
Dissemination of Integrated Soil Fertility Management Practices using Participatory Approaches in the Central Highlands of Kenya
(2011) Mugwe, J. N.; Mugendi, D.N.; Mucheru-Muna, M.; Merckx, R.; Vanlauwe, B.; Bationo, A.; Mairura, F.
Declining soil fertility is a critical agricultural challenge facing smallholders in central Kenya. A study to improve soil fertility and farm productivity in the area was carried out during the period 2003 to 2007. Problem- solving tools were used to build the broad conceptual and methodological approaches needed to address farming constraints. The study identified farming systems constraints and disseminated “best-bet” integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) interventions using participatory methods and mutual collaborative action. This paper describes processes in the participatory approaches, project milestones and joint experiences that were gained. The participatory approaches included Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA), Mother-baby approach (M-B approach), Farmer training groups (FTGs), Annual stakeholder planning meetings, Village training workshops, Cross-site visits and Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation (PM & E). Food shortage was the main problem identified by farmers resulting from low crop yields. The causes of poor yields were biophysical factors, but several socio-economic factors influenced farmer ability to manipulate farm productivity. Village training workshops attracted a 20% higher farmer turnout than mother trial field days. Farmer and experimental evaluations showed that the most favoured technologies were tithonia, manure, manure-fertilizer combinations, and tree legumes while the most effective dissemination pathways included demonstrations, farmer training grounds, field days and farmers’ groups. Using PM& E procedures, farmers developed indicators that they used to monitor progress, and annual ISFM milestones were achieved, leading to the achievement of overall project objectives. Innovative adjustments to ISFM technology dissemination were proposed by both farmers and scientists.
Physico-chemical properties of flour from kibuzi and PHIA 25 bananas.
(Inter-University Council for East Africa Lake Victoria Research Initiative, 2012) Wamue-Ngare, G.N.; Ng'an'ga, Z.; Manyama, A.; Mwangi, M.; Muyonga, J. H.
Flour was made from PHIA 25, a high yielding dessert banana cultivar, which is not very widely accepted for fresh consumption and compared to flour from kibuzi,a widely con-sumed cooking banana type. The proximate composition, pasting properties, products ac-ceptability and shelf life of flour from the two types of banana cultivars was assessed. Flour from PHIA 25 exhibited higher viscosity values compared to kibuzi. Flours from both types of banana exhibited a high degree of stability with respect to moisture content and lipid deg-radation. Sauce and porridge from kibuziwas found to be more acceptable than that from PHIA 25. It was also demonstrated that acceptable pan cakes, baghiya, pasta and doughnuts could be made by substituting up to 50% of the normally used flour with banana-soy blend. Key words: Banana cultivars; Matooke; Kibuzi
Role of Wild Crucifers on Parasitoids of Plutella xylostella in Kenya: Wild Crucifers acts as Refugia for DBM Parasitoids
(LAP Lambert Academic Publishing, 2012-05-02) Kahuthia-Gathu, R.
Indiscriminate use of pesticides contributes to elimination of parasitoid guild and development of pesticide resistance. As part of classical biological control, two parasitoids Diadegma semiclausum and Cotesia plutellae were imported from Taiwan and South Africa, respectively and released in the highlands and semi arid areas of Kenya. Two years after the release, research was conducted to investigate the role of wild crucifers on diamondback moth and its parasitoids. The wild crucifers were found to act as refugia for both indigenous and exotic parasitoids and were suitable for parasitoid development. Parasitoids migrated from the wild crucifers to cultivated fields. It therefore would be beneficial to leave weeds as a resource for the natural enemies that inhabit the ecosystems as they act as alternative hosts and provide refugia to parasitoids that risk extinction from pesticide application. The information in this book is intended for use by Masters and PhD students, researchers in IPM especially biological control, ecologists, and biodiversity conservationists.
Plant Diseases Caused by Bacteria
(Kenyatta University, 2020) Namikoye, Everlyne Samita
Diseases caused by bacterial plant pathogens are one of the most severe constraints to agricultural productivity. Many types of crops are attacked by these pathogens every season with substantial losses occurring. Diseases caused by bacteria are important because they generally have fewer means of management compared to other types of pathogens, and therefore can pose a more serious threat to crop production. Bacterial pathogens are capable of spreading rapidly and are often detected late when plants have already been invaded and considerable harm already done. Infection may also be latent and is only detected after seedlings have been transplanted or crop produce already delivered to markets. Therefore, strengthening the capacity of farmers to identify and effectively manage bacterial plant pathogens is essential to successful and profitable farming. 3.2 Lecture
Introduction to Crop Protection: Plant Diseases
(Kenyatta University, 2020) Namikoye, Everlyne Samita
Plants, whether cultivated or wild, grow and produce well as long as the soil provides them with sufficient nutrients and moisture, sufficient light reaches their leaves, and the temperature remains within a certain “normal” range. Plants, however, also get sick. Sick plants grow and produce poorly, they exhibit various types of symptoms, and, often, parts of plants or whole plants diet. The agents that cause disease in plants are the same or very similar to those causing disease in humans and animals. They include pathogenic microorganisms, such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and nematodes, and unfavorable environmental conditions, such as lack or excess of nutrients, moisture, and light, and the presence of toxic chemicals in air or soil. Plants also suffer from competition with other, unwanted plants (weeds), and, of course, they are often damaged by attacks of insects. Plant pathology is the study of the organisms and of the environmental factors that cause disease in plants; of the mechanisms by which these factors induce disease in plants; and of the methods of preventing or controlling disease and reducing the damage it causes. Each discipline studies the causes, mechanisms, and control of diseases affecting the organisms with which it deals. Plant pathology is an integrative science and profession that uses and combines the basic knowledge of botany, mycology, bacteriology, virology, nematology, plant anatomy, plant physiology, genetics, molecular biology and genetic engineering, biochemistry, horticulture, agronomy, tissue culture, soil science, forestry, chemistry, physics, meteorology, and many other branches of science.
Management of Plant Diseases
(Kenyatta University, 2020) Namikoye, Everlyne Samita
Most serious diseases of crop plants appear on a few plants in an area year after year, spread rapidly, and are difficult to cure after they have begun to develop. Therefore, almost all control methods are aimed at protecting plants from becoming diseased rather than at curing them after they have become diseased. Few infectious plant diseases can be controlled satisfactorily in the field by therapeutic means. The various control methods can be classified as regulatory, cultural, biological, physical, and chemical, depending on the nature of the agents employed. Regulatory control measures aim at excluding a pathogen from a host or from a certain geographic area. Most cultural control methods aim at helping plants avoid contact with a pathogen, creating environmental conditions unfavorable to the pathogen or avoiding favorable ones, and eradicating or reducing the amount of a pathogen in a plant, a field, or an area. Most biological and some cultural control methods aim at improving the resistance of the host or favoring microorganisms antagonistic to the pathogen. A new type of biological control involves the transfer of genetic material (DNA) into plants and the generation of transgenic plants that exhibit resistance to a certain disease(s). Finally, physical and chemical methods aim at protecting the plants from pathogen inoculum that has arrived, or is likely to arrive, or curing an infection that is already in progress.
Introduction to Crop Protection: Homoptera
(2020) Namikoye, Everlyne Samita
Order Homoptera include aphids, whitefly, scales, leafhoppers, and mealybugs. They are plant-sucking, and many excrete honeydew, a liquid high in sugar, which attracts ants and is used as a substrate for sooty mold fungus, which interferes with plant photosynthesis. Some are soft bodied, slow moving, or sedentary, forming colonies with wingless forms. Others are active. Adults have wings held roof-like over the body; the antennae are often short and bristle-like (as with leafhoppers). With sucking piercing mouthparts, many are vectors of plant viruses.Some secrete molted skins or a waxy, powdery substance that covers the body. Many are spread by the wind or carried by ants that feed on the honeydew and protect the insects from natural enemies.
Weeds and Weed Management
(Kenyatta University, 2020) Namikoye, Everlyne Samita
Weeds are undesirable plants that may grow naturally along with crops. They affect the growth of plants, products desirability, decreased production efficiency and the yields. Weeds usually grow very fast, compete for the some resources and hinder plants growth by producing alellochemical. Weeding is necessary since weeds compete with the crop plants for water, nutrients, space and light. Farmers adopt many ways to remove weeds and control their growth. Tilling before sowing of crops helps in uprooting and removing of weeds, which may then dry up and get mixed up with soil. The best time for removal of weeds is before they produce flowers and seeds. The manual removal includes physical removal of weeds by uprooting or cutting them close to the ground, from time to time. Weeds are also controlled by using certain herbicides; these are sprayed in the fields to kill the weeds. They do not damage the crops.

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