CW-Department of Agricultural Resources Management (ARM)
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Item Impacts of agricultural trade and market liberalization of food security in developing countries: comparative study of Kenya and Zambia(2010-09) Nyairo, N.M.; Kola, Jukka; Sumelius, J.The introduction of agricultural reforms has debatable effects on food security in developing countries. This research investigates how such effects influenced maize supply in two developing countries which were among the first to introduce agricultural reforms. Conclusions from the research suggest that agricultural reforms led to mixed results. This may be attributed to the sometimes stop-go nature of reform implementation. The mixed results are reflected in the weak maize output response to price changes. Overall country economic conditions, state of agricultural development can be attributed to the pace of response, hence effect on agricultural supply. Elasticity of maize output to changes in price and acreage are strongly significant in maize output for the case of Kenya. Both restricted models of maize production suggest that prior to the introduction of reforms acreage, prices and alternative crops were more elastic when simulated with Zambian data than with Kenyan data.Item Potential role of corporate social responsibility in poverty alleviation among contract sugarcane farmers in the Nzoia sugarbelt, Bungoma, Kenya(Kenyatta University, 2009) Waswa, F.; Netondo, G.; Maina, L.; Naisiko, T.; Wangamati, J.Although introduction of contract sugarcane farming was expected to alleviate poverty through increased income to farmers, it is widely acknowledged that poverty levels in western Kenya are still high. While the sugar companies generally register super profits, the surrounding communities, who supply the labour and land for cultivation of the sugarcane, are yet to break out from the poverty ratchets. Results from a study done within the Nzoia Sugarbelt in 2007 indicated that food insecurity and poverty remain serious concerns largely because most of the land is dedicated to sugarcane farming at the expense of other important food crops. In addition income generated from sugar processing is unevenly shared in favour of the company and not the farmers whose land and labour is contracted for this' purpose. To bridge this gap and enhance community livelihoods, this paper argues strongly for the need to institutionalise Corporate Social Responsibility policies within the daily operations of the company. Ten key building blocks for such a policy for Nzoia Sugar Company are suggested based on research findings from the field.Item Expression of trypanotolerance in N’Dama x Boran crosses under field challenge in relation to N’Dama genome content(BMC, 2011) Orenge, Caleb; Munga, Leonard; Kimwele, Charles; Kemp, Steve; Korol, Abraham; Gibson, John; Hanotte, Olivier; Soller, MorrisBackground: Animal trypanosomosis in sub-Saharan Africa is a major obstacle to livestock based agriculture. Control relies on drugs with increasing incidence of multiple-drug resistance. A previous mapping experiment in an F2 population derived from the indigenous trypanotolerant N ’ Dama cattle crossed to susceptible (Kenya)-Boran cattle under controlled challenge, uncovered a number of trypanotolerance QTL (T-QTL). The present study was to determine expression of N ’ Dama trypanotolerance in a backcross to the Boran under conditions of field challenge, and whether chromosomal regions associated with trypanotolerance in the F2 experiment showed similar effects in the BC population. Methods: 192 backcross animals to the Boran were produced in six batches from June 2001 to December 2006. At one year of age animals were moved to the field and exposed to natural challenge over about one year in Southwest Kenya (Narok). The animals were individually recorded weekly for body weight, packed cell volume, parasitaemia score, and drug treatments, and were genotyped using 35 microsatellite markers spanning 5 chromosomes found in the F2 study to harbour T-QTL. Results: The F1 were most trypanotolerant, Boran least, and BC intermediate. Females showed distinctly higher trypanotolerance than males. There was a positive correlation in the BC population between trypanotolerance and number of N ’ Dama origin marker alleles. QTL mapping revealed T-QTL distributed among all five targeted chromosomes, corresponding in part to the results obtained in the F 2 experiment. Conclusions: N ’ Dama origin trypanotolerance is expressed in a BC population under field conditions in proportion to N ’ Dama origin marker alleles. Consequently, marker assisted selection in such populations may be a means of increasing trypanotolerance, while retaining the desirable productive qualities of the recurrent parent.Item Improving soil nutrients and water management to increase crop yield for enhanced livelihoods of small scale farmers in semi-arid eastern Kenya(2010-09) Mochoge, B. O.; Danga, B. O.Food insecurity in Kenya is on the increase unless appropriate measures are taken. This is because nearly 80% of the land is arid to semi-arid and therefore not favorable for crop production using the current methods of production. The issue is limited nutrient use efficiency and low moisture storage in soils to warrant plant growth. This calls urgently for appropriate technologies to be put in place in order to increase moisture storage in soils and increase nutrient use efficiency to spur food production in semi-arid fragile ecosystems. A study to respond to low moisture content in soils and inefficient use of nutrients is being initiated at Gachoka, semi-arid Eastern Kenya. The study will evaluate moisture storage in soil due to run-off rain water captured in the trapezoidal bunds and how this will impact the availability and uptake of nutrients. Use of manure to increase water retention in soils and to provide mineral N through mineralization, and application of N and P fertilizers to supplement the soil available nutrients for sustainable soil fertility management will be part of the treatments. Plots within the bunds measuring 4.5 m x 4.5 m will be used for treatments and maize and cowpea will be the test crops. Available soil moisture content will be measured using neutron water meter and tensiometers while available plant nutrients (NH4,NO3 and P) in soil and nutrients contents in plants will be analyzed. Treatments will be factorial and randomized in a complete block design. The data will be subjected to analysis of variance and regression. Nutrient use efficiency and gross returns will be calculated. Expected outputs will include increased knowledge on trapezoidal bunds on water storage by researchers and farmers, higher crop yields, general increase of soil productivity and its sustainable management, and training of two MSc students.Item Decomposition and Nitrogen Release Rates of Buried Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Residue in a Mollic Phaeozem of Njoro, Kenya(2010) Mochoge, B. O.; Onwonga, Richard N.; Nakhone, Lenah; Musandu, Amos O.; Lelei, Joyce J.Synchronization of nutrient release from organic material and nutrient uptake requires a better understanding of plant residue decomposition kinetics. A field experiment was consequently conducted, at field 7 research station of Egerton University, to determine chickpea residue decomposition and N mineralization rates. Fresh chickpea residue, weighing 50 g, was placed in each of the fifteen 7 mm-mesh litterbags measuring 25 × 25 cm. The litter bags were arranged in a randomized complete block design and buried horizontally in the plough layer with five bags per replicate. One bag was randomly retrieved from each replicate after 10, 20, 30, 60 and 90 days. Dry weight of the residue was recorded after oven drying at 70_C for 48 hours. The decomposition (KD) and N release (KN) rate constants were estimated using a single exponential model Yt = Y0 ×e-kt; where: Y0 is the original amount of material applied and Yt the proportion of the initial dry matter or N remaining after a period of time t, in years. The K value was the slope of the linear regression of l_Y verses t. The chickpea residue initially decomposed rapidly with 67% of the original weight being lost within the first 30 days and 80, 94% by 50 and 90 days, respectively. On a logarithmic scale, the calculated KD was -11.05 year-1 and 20 days were required for 50% loss in dry weight. Nitrogen released from the residue followed the same trend as dry weight loss. The calculated KN of the chickpea residue was -3.11 year-1. The cumulative N mineralized, in 30 days, was 18.9 g kg-1 (58%) out of the 32.4 g kg-1 contained in the residue before incorporation in soil. To synchronize nutrient release and nutrient demand, the chickpea residue incorporation should therefore be done closer to planting to benefit the subsequent crop.Item Effect of a cowpea intercrop on maize yield and nutrient use efficiency in the coastal lowlands and semi-arid parts of Kenya(1999) Mochoge, B. O.; Onwonga, Richard N.To establish maize yield responses to N and P fertilizer and to manure, cowpeas were intercropped with maize in the drier zones of Kenya. The experiments were conducted over five seasons at six trial sites, in the coastal lowlands and in semi-arid parts of Kenya. M maize yields were significantly increased by the use of N and P and manure. Maize yields increased (P = 0.05) with the cowpea intercrop along the coastal lowlands, with increases ranging between 11 and 26%, while maize yields in the hinterlands were greatly reduced (18-36%), probably due to competition for environmental resources. Cowpea yields were generally low and unaffected by fertilizers or intercropping. The maize sole crop used N better than maize in the cowpea- maize intercrop, which in turn used P better than maize alone.Item Improving water storage in soils to enhance nutrient use efficiency and crop yields for enhanced livelihoods of small scale farmers in semi-arid eastern Kenya(2012) Mochoge, B. O.; Danga, B. O.; Kironchi, G.; Kibunja, C.The current food situation in Kenya is alarming so that food is extremely expensive for the larger Kenyan population. This is largely due to the frequent droughts in the country and especially because more than 80% of the land is arid to semi-arid. There is therefore urgent need to put into practice existing technologies to spur food production in the semi-arid fragile ecosystems. This study is investigating the effect of trapezoidal bund technology and use of manure on soil moisture storage and retention, impact of soil moisture on nutrient availability and nutrient use efficiency by crops, nutrient dynamic changes in soil and effect on crop yields and long-term soil fertility maintenance. The study also aims to quantify microbial biomass and nitrogen mineralisation potentials in soils. The project is in progress at Katumani, Dryland Research Station in Machakos. Trapezoidal bunds for run-off water collection and storage have been constructed according to the recommended pattern. Plots measuring 4.5 m× 4.5 m will be used for the treatments where maize (var.SC Duma 43) and common beans are the test crops, and manure and NP fertilisers as source of plant nutrients. Three levels of both manure and NP fertilisers 0, 5 and10 tons/ha manure and 0,50 and 75 kg/ha of each N ad P fertilisers) will be used. Treatments will be factorial and randomised in a complete block. Soil moisture content will be measured by a gravimetric method. Simulation models for nutrient dynamics and crop performance will be done using CMKEN and NCSOIL models. Data will be subjected to analysis of variance and regression. Nutrient use efficiency and gross returns will be calculated.Item Development of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) value chain under Governments of Kenya, Germany and Israel trilateral arrangement for increased aquaculture production and conservation of dwindling stocks of Lake Victoria, Kenya(2013-10) Ngugi, Charles C.; Di Domenica, L.; Meijberg, A.; Manyala, J.; Bejerano, I.Combining agriculture initiatives and income generation or wealth creation has been a major challenge in the African continent. The overall aim of Kenya, under the Vision 2030 Economic Pillar, is to promote economic growth through the value chain approach. The Government recognizes that the fisheries sector plays a key role in the national economy especially on food security, poverty reduction and employment creation. Increased demand for fish and increased fishing pressure has compelled the government to prioritize aquaculture as a platform for economic growth. Especially around Lake Victoria aquaculture can relieve the pressure of capture fisheries. In order to realize the potential of aquaculture to the country, the Government of Kenya under the Economic Stimulus Program (ESP), invested US$ 85 Million in small-scale fish farming in 2009/2011. As a consequence, Aquaculture production increased from 4,220 to 19,337 MT (from 2007 to 2011) whereas Kenya now is the 4th largest aquaculture producer in Africa, mainly from culture of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Upon request of the Government of Kenya in 2012, a trilateral agreement was signed between the Governments of Kenya, Germany and Israel to support small-scale aquaculture in the Lake Victoria region. The aim was to enhance knowledge of fish farmers, train trainers and extension officers and establish a center of excellence in aquaculture at Ramogi Institute of Advanced Technology (RIAT) in Kisumu. As part of the program, a baseline survey conducted in the counties of the former Nyanza and Western Provinces indicate that the average area per fish farmer in the project area is 500m2. 73% practice monoculture, while polyculture accounts for 27%. Manure (organic) is applied in 61% of the ponds and 60% of the ponds were green, which indicates good pond management. Over 51% of the farmers keep records, though further training is needed on record keeping and financial management. Major challenges are low adaptation of technology, quality of seed and feed, high cost of feed, access to aquaculture inputs and lack of market information. The trilateral project has already shown positive impacts at different levels. The baseline survey identified gaps and needs of farmers, extension officers and future areas of cooperation. Through this on-going collaborative effort, aquaculture in the region will be key to improving the lives of the riparian communities who depend on fish for their livelihood and parallel reduce their dependence on the dwindling stocks from Lake Victoria.Item Economic Evaluation of Locally Available Inputs for Soil Fertility Replenishment in the Smallholder Farming Systems of Meru South District, Kenya(2006-07) Mucheru-Muna, M.; Mugendi, D.N.Declining land productivity is a major problem facing smallholder farmers in Kenya today. This decline is a result of reduced soil fertility status, which is caused by continuous cultivation of soils without adequate addition of external inputs in form of manures and fertilizers. The low soil fertility contributes enormously to one of the greatest challenges facing farmers in the central highlands of Kenya currently; the inadequate food production for the rapidly growing population. A farmers' participatory trial was established in Meru South District, Kenya in 2000 with the main objective of offering poor resource smallholder farmers feasible soil nutrient replenishment technologies. The results across the seven seasons indicate that, sole tithonia gave the highest grain yield followed closely by tithonia with half recommended rate of inorganic fertilizer with 6.4 and 6.3 Mg/ha respectively. Control treatment gave the lowest yield of 1.5 Mg/ha across the seasons. The integration of organic and inorganic nutrient sources of N gave higher maize grain yield as compared to the sole application of organic materials during the seven seasons of the study. Results of the economic analysis indicate that, on average across the seven seasons, tithonia with half recommended rate of inorganic fertilizer recorded the highest (USD 787.2) net benefit while control recorded the lowest (USD 271.7). On the other hand recommended rate of inorganic fertilizer gave the highest (USD 12.5) return to labour while sole tithonia gave the lowest (USD 4.0). On average in the farmers' fields, manure alone gave the highest return to labour of USD 3.6, while the control treatment gave the lowest return to labour of USD -0.2. Despite the fact that tithonia had the lowest return to labour in the demonstration site, most farmers in the study area were willing to try it in their farms. This could be due to its to local availability and the low opportunity cost of farmers' time.Item Nitrogen uptake and use efficiency as affected by soil organic matter status in Embu, Kabete and Maseno, Kenya(2003) Mugendi, D.N.; Karunditu, M. W.; Kung'u, J.B.; Vanlauwe, B.Nitrogen (N) is the nutrient most limiting to crop production and effective management is inevitable to minimizeits losses through the many pathways. Nitrogen uptake and use efficiency as affected by soil organic matter status (SOM)in the soil-plant system was studied in three sites located at Eastern, Central and Western parts of Kenya using 15N tracertechnique. Among the three sites calliandra treatment recorded the highest total yields (core, stover, and grain) in themicroplot that was labelled first (L) (17,205 kg/ha). Maize grain yields were observed to be highest again at PM1 trial incalliandra treatment in the microplot labelled first (L) (6,337 kg/ha). Among the three sites Embu recorded the highestuptake and use efficiency in calliandra treatment in the microplot labelled second. The observation made in calliandracould be attributed to its low quality (slow decomposition and N release) hence its ability to build up SOMItem Effects Of Substituting Maize With Rice-milling By-products In Commercial Layer Chicken Diets(2011) Kabuage, L.; Njuguna, K.W.; Maina, J.G.Inadequacy of high quality and reasonably priced poultry feeds constitute major challenges to the development of a vibrant poultry industry. Maize and its by-products are the main energy sources used in the manufacture of commercial poultry diets. Maize has an energy content of 3550 ME kcal/kg compared to the more abundant broken rice (BR), fine bran (FB) and coarse rice with 2980, 2990 and 2650 ME kcal/kg respectively. Maize, the staple food for most Kenyans is expensive and only limited quantities are available for feed manufacturing, hence the need to explore cheap alternative energy sources. BR and FB are produced by the multi-step rice milling process, while the single step milling process leads to the production of a single combined byproduct (SCB), all studied in this research. One hundred and forty ISA brown layer chickens were distributed to five treatments in a completely randomized design. They were housed in battery cages at the University of Nairobi Poultry Unit from onset of lay to the peak of the laying cycle. Three test diets containing rice by products and two control diets constituted by a commercial layer mash and a maize soya bean basal diet were evaluated. The test diets contained 60% BR during the first eight weeks and 40% over the subsequent eight week period; SCB graded at 0, 5 and 10 %, while FB was fixed at 20%. Performance of birds on the diets containing 40 % BR and graded with 5 and 10% SCB were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those on the two control diets (except for feed efficiency). Gross margins for birds on the two test diets were higher by 39 shillings per bird than those on the control diets. Substitution of maize with the rice-milling by-products up to 65 % was observed to be technically feasible and profitable.Item Training needs in soil fertility management for farmers and extension workers in central highlands of Kenya(2012) Mugendi, D.N.; Macharia, J. M.; Mugwe, J. N.; Mucheru-Muna, M.; Mairura, S. F.; Kimani, S. K.The objective of this study was to identify training requirements of farmers and extension agents for effective and enhanced uptake and utilization of these technologies in the central highlands of Kenya. The study was carried out in Meru South, Maara and Mbeere South districts. To determine the farmers’ training needs,individual household interviews were conducted from300 randomly selected farmers. Structured questionnaires were used to collect information from 55 extension agents from the study area. Data wasanalyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency, mean and percentages using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) programme version 16.0. The priority training need for farmers in the study area was soil testing (mean of 4.4) while for the extension agents was the use of animal manure + fertilizers (mean of 4.6), use of animal manure (mean of 4.3), skills onsoil erosion control and conservation (mean of 4.3), soil testing (mean of 4.2) and use of inorganic fertilizers (mean of 4.2). These results provide a guide tothe policy makers in designing capacity building modules and materials targeted at different stakeholders, thereby increasing stakeholders’ levels of knowledge and adoption levels of the soil fertility management technologies. This is envisaged to lead to increased crop production, household food security, reduction of extreme poverty and improved environmental management at the long run.Item Promotion of Leguminous Plants and Organic Inputs for Improving Soil Productivity in smallholder Farms of Central Highlands of Kenya(2002) Mugwe, J. N.Declining soil and productivity is a major problem facing smallholder farmers in the central highlands of Kenya.This decline is caused by continuous cultivation of soils without adequate addition of external inputs in form of manure and fertilizers. Use of inorganic fertilisers is low due to high costs that are beyond the reach of majority of smallholder farmers. A multidisciplinary on-farm participatory was therefore initiated in the main maize growing areas of the central highlands of Kenya in 2000 with the main objective of addressing this problem. Results after four cropping seasons indicate that organic residues such as leguminous shrubs (Leucaena trichandra and calliandra calothrysus), herbaceous legumes (Crotalaria ochroleuca and Mucuna pruriens), Tithonia diversifolia, farm yard manure alone or with combination of 30 kg N ha-1 from inorganic sources can be used effectively to improve maize performance in the region.Over the four seasons under study, these organic residues gave an average mean maize grain yield in the range of 3.4 to 4.0 t ha-1 which is more than 1.0 t ha-1 that farmers in the area get from their farms. when the farmers were asked to select technologies that they wanted to test, majority selected tithonia, calliandra, leucaena and farm yard manure. This was attributed to availability of these organic resources at the farm level as tithonia could be cut along the roadsides and more than 80% of the farmers' own livestock. These results through preliminary, indicate that organic resources being tested in this trial are effective in improving maize yields and farmers are willing to try these on their farmsItem Soil properties effects and management of organic residues to improve C sequestration, reduce N losses and improve crop yield(2010-09) Mugwe, J. N.; Danga, B. O.; Mochoge, B. O.; Getenga, Z.Rates of decomposition of organic materials in soil determine the amount of carbon (C) which is mineralized and released as CO2 versus the amount of C that is retained in various forms in the soil. Decomposition rates also greatly influence the amount of nitrogen (N) which becomes available for plant uptake or susceptible to leaching versus that which is retained in SOM or lost via gaseous emission. The processes that follow the decomposition of residues by microorganisms are strongly influenced by soil chemical and physical properties, and also by plant roots via the processes of mineral N uptake, respiration, exudation and decay. The equilibrium between carbonates, bicarbonates, CO2 and pH controls inorganic C losses and deposition over large areas of arid and semi arid climates and should be linked to the biological cycle of C. However, few quantitative relationships between decomposition rates of organic manures & wastes (OW) and controlling edaphic, climatic and biotic variables have been determined. The overall objective of this proposal is to explore the effects of soil properties and management practices on C sequestration in soils, off-site losses of N and crop productivity. We hypothesized that organic waste decomposition is a biological process controlled by the microorganism population and it is not affected by soil properties, and that sequestration of CO2 -C by inorganic components of the soil may be a considerable process in calcareous soils. The methodology includes the simultaneous use of laboratory and field experiments with stable isotopes of N and C to follow the dynamics of N and C. Best management practices will be identified by field experiments and simulation scenarios with the process oriented computer simulation models of N and C transformations in a soil-OW-plant system (NCSOIL) and two MSc students will be trained.Item Use of leguminous shrubs for soil fertility improvement in sub-humid highlands of Kenya(2006) Mugwe, J. N.; Mugendi, D.N.Declining crop productivity is a major challenge facing smallholder farmers in central highlands of Kenya. This decline is caused by continuous cultivation of soils without adequate addition of external inputs in form of manures and fertilizers. With this background, an on-station trial was initiated at Embu in 1992 to evaluate the feasibility of using two leguminous shrubs; Calliandra calothyrsus and Leucaena leucocephala for improving soil fertility and food production. The results obtained so far indicate that, over the 12 years of study, calliandra biomass transfer with half recommended rate of inorganic fertilizer treatment gave the best average yield of 3.3 Mg/ha followed closely by leucaena biomass transfer with half recommended rate of inorganic fertilizer treatment with an average of 3.2 Mg/ha. However, calliandra alley cropped treatment with prunings removed recorded the lowest maize yield of 1.2 Mg/ha over the same period. Though treatments with calliandra biomass transfer had similar yields compared to those of leucaena biomass transfer, all the treatments that were leucaena alley cropped did better (significantly different) than calliandra alley cropped treatments both with prunings incorporated and prunings removed. This could be attributed to the more intense root competition of calliandra with maize compared to leucaena whose greater percentage of roots are located below the effective rooting zone of the maize crop. Overall, treatments with prunings incorporated with half recommended rate of inorganic fertilizer gave better maize grain yields compared to treatments with only prunings applied.Item Effects of phosphorus sources on soybean yield in central highlands of Kenya(2012) Mugwe, J. N.; Abuli, Jackson Sianje; Mugendi, D.N.Farmers in Central highland Kenya continue to experience depressed land productivity and incomes mainly due to their farms’ low soil fertility status. Fertilizer costs have remained high beyond the reach of many farmers. Integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) is espoused as appropriate in intervention. Integration of legumes into smallholder farming system is one of the ISFM options. Using legumes can minimize nitrogen fertilizer requirement while improving farmers’ incomes and food security. Soybean is a versatile legume fixing more nitrogen (N) than most grain legumes but it s production has not received adequate attention in spite of its huge demand and short supply in the country. The most limiting nutrient in soybean production is phosphorus (P), critical in soybean growth but is limited in the central highlands, needing replenishment. The study done at Kigogo in Meru South District and Kamujine in Tigania East District assessed selected sources of P. The sources of P were Triple Super Phosphate (TSP), Minjingu rock phosphate, Mavuno fertilizer, di-ammonium phosphate (DAP), manure and fortified manure (Manure with Minjingu fertilizer at 1:1 ratio) all providing 30 kg P ha-1. The trial was carried out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) having four replications with a plot size of 4.0 m by 4.5 m, being done in two seasons. Data was analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and means separated using Least Significant Difference (LSD) (p=0.05). Results showed DAP and Mavuno were among the best sources of Phosphorus. Farmers have an opportunity to enhance soybean production through use of either DAP or Mavuno fertilizer. The study recommends consistent use of manure in central highland farms alongside DAP and Mavuno use.Item Improving Soil Properties Through Use of Unburnt Local Limes in Acidic Soils of Burera District, Rwanda(RUFORUM, 2012) Mugwe, J. N.; Nduwumuremyi, Athanase; Ruganzu, V.This study was carried out at Rwerere Research Station located in the highlands of Buberuka, Rwanda. Three local limes (Musanze, Rusizi and Karongi) were evaluated in a randomized complete block design (RCBD)) experiment established in September 2011 rainy season. Baseline information was established on soil properties and quality (CCE, Fineness factor, ECCE, Acidity and moisture) of lime materials. Soil pH, exchangeable Al and available phosphorus were monitored at 6, 12 and 16 weeks after lime application (WAP). However, nitrogen and base saturation were analysed at 16WAP. Finding showed that application of 2.8t ha-1 of Musanze unburnt local lime and agricultural burnt lime had a similar effect on soil pH. They increased soil pH by 0.62 and 0.61 units, respectively. A lime application rate of 2.8t ha-1 of agricultural burnt lime, Musanze and Rusizi unburned local limes increased soil available phosphorus by 1.72, 1.71 and 1.65 mg/kg, respectively. On the other hand, agricultural burnt lime and Musanze unburnt local lime had a similar effect on Ca saturation. The application of 1.4 and 2.8t ha-1 of agricultural burned lime and Musanze unburnt local lime increased soil nitrogen by 0.12 and 0.24%of total nitrogen, respectively.Item Banana Farming in Kenya: Options for Rejuvenating Productivity(Ruforum, 2010) Mwangi, M.; Mbaka, J.; Adipala, E.; Tusiime, G.; Majaliwa, J.G.M.Bananas constitute an important component of farm enterprises in the mid altitudes of central and eastern provinces of Kenya. In recent years the crop has steadily gained importance over traditional cash crops, e.g. coffee, and various short season horticultural crops grown mostly for export markets. Despite its increasing importance, the crop’s production faces intractable constraints. Interventions have previously focused on increasing availability of healthy seedlings and strengthening farmer capacity to manage pests. Recent indications are that there is need to re-think current approaches to enhancing productivity. Interventions should consider creating micro-financing and value addition opportunities, and extending technologies to cope with climate change effects.Item Determinants of Adoption and Utilisation of Integrated Soil Fertility Management by Small Holders in Central Kenya(RUFORUM, 2012) Mugwe, J. N.; Mairura, F.; Kimaru-Muchai, S. W.; Mucheru-Muna, M.; Mugendi, D.N.Per capita food production in Africa has been declining over the last two decades, contrary to global trends due to soil fertility decline. The study sought to determine factors that influence adoption and utilization of integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) technologies by smallholder farmers in central Kenya. Two hundred and forty (240) farmers were randomly sampled and data collected through face-to-face interviews. Data were subjected to binary logistic regression to determine factors that could explain adoption and utilization of the ISFM technologies. Results showed that in regard to combined organic and inorganic fertilizers utilisation, positive associations were detected with occupation, farming experience, perception of soil degradation, external assistance, off-farm income, perception of food and cash security, tropical livestock units, and house-hold size. The study concludes that there is need to examine the critical role that socio-economic variables contribute in the farming system during the development of ISFMItem Soil fertility management using organic and inorganic inputs in the central highlands of Kenya(2008-11) Mugwe, J. N.; Mugendi, D.N.; Mucheru-Muna, M.; Merckx, R.; Vanlauwe, B.; Karega, R.; Muriuki, J.An integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) initiative was started in the central highlands of Kenya in 2003 with an objective to introduce, evaluate and promote adoption of ISFM technologies with farmers’ participation. Participatory approaches were used to test and disseminate the use of organic and inorganic inputs during the period 2003 to 2005. This study was carried out to assess farmer attendance in project activities, testing levels of the various inputs, maize yield response to soil fertility inputs and farmers experiences as they tested the inputs. Data on participation were collected from secondary data while on-farm trials, a household survey and focused group discussions were used in collection of primary data. Results showed that more males than females participated in most meetings but the participation of women was encouraging and improved with time. An integration of organic and inorganic inputs was tested by most farmers. However farmers also had their own modifications that combined different kinds of organic materials. Use of the inputs increased maize yields at the farm level by more than 150% above the control. When the inputs were ranked by farmers, in terms of overall benefits, gender differences were observed with female farmers preferring materials that would be within their reach such as calliandra, while male farmers preferred fertilizer possibly because they could afford to purchase it. This study has demonstrated that the use of organic materials by farmers (calliandra, leuceana, tithonia and manure) combined with inorganic fertilizer has potential to address the low soil fertility problem in farmers fields and raise yields. There is a clear need of strategies and policy that address gender disparities in adoption of soil improvement technologies.