RP-Department of Agricultural Resource Management

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Contribution of Civil Society in Climate Change Adaptation in Nairobi City County, Kenya
(IJLSAR, 2023-10) Nyaundi, Crispus Michira; Obade, Paul Thomas
: The impacts of climate change, the brunt of which is experienced in the Global South, has occasioned the development of adaptation plans, policies and strategies by developing countries, with the aim of reducing vulnerability and risks. By and large however, this adaptation plans and strategies have not yielded expected results, as evidenced by the increasing manifestations of climate change, including the declining agricultural production, food insecurities and floods, among others. Against this backdrop, this study sought to explore the avenues for enhancing the contribution of civil society organizations in adapting to climate change in Nairobi City County, Kenya. The study adopted the descriptive survey design, targeting all 267 civil society organizations pertinent to adapting to climate change in Kenya. A total of 160 top administrative personnel was randomly sampled from among the civil society organizations. Primary data was gathered for the study using a standardized questionnaire. In data analysis, descriptive analysis and a Chi-square test were performed. The results established that mobilization, knowledge sharing, policy support have a significant effect on the contribution of CSOs in adapting to climate change in Nairobi City County. It was also found that institutional coordination was also found to have a significant intervening role on the association between the avenues for enhancing the contribution of CSOs in adapting to climate change in Nairobi City County, Kenya. It is thus recommended that administrators of CSOs involved in adapting to climate change in Nairobi City County, invest in mobilization, knowledge sharing, policy support and institutional coordination.
An Empirical Assessment of the Factors Influencing Acceptance of COVID 19 Vaccine Uptake between Kenyan and Hungarian Residing Populations: A Cross Sectional Study
(Scientific Reports, 2022) Macharia, John M.; Gakenye, GraceW.; Rozmann, Nóra; Onchonga, David; Mwangi, Ruth W.; Kaposztas, Zsolt; Mathenge, John M.; Pusztai, Dorina; Pinter, Marton; Sugar, Miklos; Raposa, Bence L.
The development of efective, safe, and acceptable vaccines is a long process. COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy continues to elicit mixed reactions among diferent quarters despite numerous evidence of their efectiveness. This study aimed to determine the availability and acceptance rates of SARSCoV-2 vaccines, among Kenyan and Hungarian residing populations and the underlying reasons contributing to the hesitancy of uptake. A non-probability, snowball sampling design was employed, and a survey questionnaire tool link was expeditiously disseminated. Data were carefully analyzed descriptively. Demographic variables, COVID-19 awareness, possible exposure, reasons associated with hesitancy in taking up a vaccine, choice of a vaccine, and availability of vaccines among other important variables were tested to explore their associations with vaccine acceptance rates between the two distinct countries. A total of 1960 participants were successfully enrolled in the research study, while 67 participants were excluded based on the inclusion criterion set. There was, however, no signifcant diference in COVID-19 public awareness between the Kenyan and Hungarian-residing participants, p = 0.300. Of the respondents, 62.4% were willing and ready to receive vaccines against COVID-19 disease. There was a signifcant diference (p= 0.014) between the Kenyan and Hungarianresiding respondents concerning vaccine uptake and acceptance rates. The vaccine acceptance rates in Hungary were higher than in Kenya, with mean= 0.27, SD= 0.446, S. E= 0.045 for the Hungarian population sample and mean= 0.40, SD= 0.492, S. E= 0.026, for the Kenyan sample respectively. Concerning gender and vaccine acceptance, there was a notable signifcant diference between males and females, p = 0.001, where the mean for males and females were 0.29 and 0.46 respectively. Acceptance rates among males were higher than among females. The functions of One-Way ANOVA and Chi-square were used to establish any signifcant diferences and associations between means and variables respectively. Concerns regarding the safety, efcacy, and accuracy of information about the developed vaccines are signifcant factors that must be promptly addressed, to arrest crises revolving around COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, especially in Kenya and among females in both populations, where acceptance rates were lower. Expansion of the screening program to incorporate antibody (serology) tests, is also highly recommended in the present circumstance. Equitable distribution of vaccines globally should be encouraged and promoted to adequately cover low- and middle-income countries. To enhance efective combat on vaccination hesitancy and apprehension in diferent countries, mitigation techniques unique to those countries must be adopted.
Apiculture for Sustainable Land Use and Enhanced Community Livelihoods in Dryland Ecosystems: The Case of Makueni in Kenya
(EANSO, 2023) Mutua, Caroline; Waswa, Fuchaka; Mcharo, Mwamburi
The scarcity of water in drylands is a major cause of crop failure, food insecurity, and consequent human ill-being. Relying on tilling and crop farming is therefore a risky investment and a direct threat to sustainable livelihoods. This calls for a shift in land use to practices that exert less pressure on land and water. Though apiculture is such a land-use practice, its adoption in the context of changing climate and increasing ecosystem vulnerability is still low. In pursuit of this dimension, the objectives of this research were: (i) to determine the extent to which apiculture is practised, (ii) to assess the challenges facing apiculture, and (iii) to assess measures required to scale-up apiculture among resource-poor farmers using Kathonzweni as a case study. Primary data was collected using a questionnaire survey that targeted 379 farmers. Additional data was obtained from secondary sources. Results showed that the majority of respondents (34.2%) relied on crop and animal production as their main sources of income, while 25.8% engaged in apiculture as an extra livelihood activity. Only 6.7% viewed apiculture as a source of food. As such, tilling the land rather than purchasing food using income from other sources remains the mindset in food security planning. Individual farmers harvested an average of 83.53 kg of honey/year and sold on average 60.67 kg/year. The income generated was an average of Kenyan Shillings 15,166.67 (USD 150) per year. Prolonged dry seasons, lack of community sensitisation, high cost of beehives, poor apiculture husbandry practices and difficulties in individually negotiating for better prices for their honey were the main limiting factors undermining this land use. Farmers were however aware of the huge market potential of hive products and the ecological suitability of the area for apiculture. Correlation analysis of quantities harvested, sold and income generated nationally revealed the existence of a very strong and significant positive relationship (r = 0.92; p=0.000). Therefore, investing in apiculture can alleviate household income limitations and the perennial food insecurity challenge in drylands while maintaining natural land cover and hence environmental resilience. Therefore, public-private synergistic partnerships based on a win-win business model are needed for increased adoption of apiculture in the context of changing climate.
Evaluating the Growth and Cost–Benefit Analysis of Feeding Improved Indigenous Chicken with Diets Containing Black Soldier Fly Larva Meal
(Frontiers in Insect Science, 2022-09) Mwangi, K. Waithaka; Osuga, Isaac M.; Kabuage, Lucy W.; Subramanian, Sevgan; Muriithi, Beatrice; Wachira, Ann M.; Tanga, Chrysantus M.
The high cost of feed has been the major hindrance to a hindrance to the growth, sustainability, profitability, and expansion of poultry production. Black soldier fly larva (BSFL) meal is one of the most promising alternative protein sources widely accepted globally. This study evaluated the growth performance of improved indigenous chicken (IIC)-fed diets containing different inclusion levels of BSFL meals. The BSFL meal inclusion rates included 0% (Diet0), 5% (Diet1), 10% (Diet2), 15% (Diet3), and 20% (Diet4) as replacement to the expensive fish meal in chick and grower diets. Our results showed that diet significantly affected the average daily feed intake, feed conversion ratio, and average daily weight gain of the chicks. The average daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio, except average daily feed intake of the growers, was not significantly affected by diets. The gross profit margin, cost–benefit ratio, and return on investment of feeding birds with BSFL meal varied significantly. The highest cost–benefit ratio of 2.12 was recorded for birds fed on Diet4. Our findings demonstrate that insect-based feeds can successfully and cost-effectively replace fish meal up to 20% without compromising the growth performance of the birds. Therefore, BSFL meal could be incorporated as an essential part of poultry feed production for IIC, potentially reducing the total feed cost while maintaining optimal production and reducing the cost of meat and egg products.
Demonstrating Education for Sustainable Development through Rainwater Harvesting in Institutions of Higher Learning in Kenya: The Potential at Kenyatta University
(UNESCO, 2023) Nalwa, Pheobe; Waswa, Fuchaka
The challenge of water scarcity is increasing in most countries of the world with potentially severe negative effects on human well-being and sustainable development. This paper reports on the hirtherto untapped potential of rainwater harvesting across public universities in Kenya, using Kenyatta University as the case study. Roof catchment footprints were mapped quantified using Geographic Information System procedures. Rainfall data was obtained from the university meteorological station and analysis for general trends from 2005 to 2017. Volumes of harvested water were calculated by obtaining the product of actual area of the roof catchment and rainfall received in millimetres. Results show that mean monthly rainfall ranged from 15-180 mm, averaging 75 mm. Annual and monthly totals, including rainfall days fluctuate a lot and have been declining since 2005. All roofs have gutters and drainage pipes but lack rainwater storage tanks. Therefore, significant quantities of harvested water are immediately lost as runoff water. For example, the Central Administration Complex, the Post-Modern Library and the Business Services and Student Centre roof catchment loss on average 290,800, 465,300 and 289,700 litres per month respectively. The socio-economic and ecological effects of such avoidable loss cannot be overemphasized. As centres of excellence in leadership education, universities can demonstrate sustainable water resource management as envisaged in the UN framework of education for sustainable development by integrating the complete rainwater harvesting infrastructure particularly appropriate plastic tanks in new project design and implementation, and when auditing all old buildings. To mainstream such environmental stewardship in strategic management requires the establishment of an environmental office in the university anchored on ISO 14001:2015 certification. Here-in is the discussion on leadership gap this article hopes to kindle.
Agro Pastoralists’ Awareness and Knowledge on Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia in Two Selected Counties in Kenya
(Taylor and Francis, 2022) Ouya, Fredrick Ochieng; Bett, Eric; Nguhiu, Purity; Makokha, Stella; Mwirigi, Martin K.
Poor identification of Contagious caprine pleuropneumonia diseases from its signs and symptoms is a major problem to goat farmers which leads to use of wrong method of disease control. The uptake of control strategies like vaccination by farmers depends on many factors while awareness and knowledge become the foundation of the technology adoption processes. This therefore necessitated a study to understand the level of awareness and knowledge of Contagious caprine pleuropneumonia, which is a highly infectious goat disease. The study analysed and used cross-sectional data collected from 342 households interviewed in October, November, and December 2020 in Kajiado County and Taita Taveta County in Kenya. These two counties are dominated by agro pastoralists and goat keeping is predominant. The study examines the factors influencing the agro pastoralists’ knowledge and level of awareness on the six major signs and symptoms of Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia disease differentiating it from other goat diseases. Multivariate probit model was the main data analysis method used. Results show that agro pastoralists’ level of knowledge and awareness on Contagious Caprine Pleuropnemonia disease depend significantly on other factors such as the gender of household head, age, education level, household size, access to extension services, and group dynamics. The findings imply that policymakers and agricultural development partners should increase public and private investment on agro pastoralists’ training and education programmes which is one of the main pathways for increasing public awareness in livestock dominated areas.
Genetic and Phenotypic Diversity of Microsymbionts Nodulating Promiscuous Soybeans from Different Agro-Climatic Condition
(Journal of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, 2022) Mburu, Simon W.; Koskey, Gilbert; Njeru, Ezekiel M; Maingi, John; Kimiti, Jacinta M.
Background: Global food supply is highly dependent on feld crop production that is currently severely threatened by changing climate, poor soil quality, abiotic, and biotic stresses. For instance, one of the major challenges to sustainable crop production in most developing countries is limited nitrogen in the soil. Symbiotic nitrogen fxation of legumes such as soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merril) with rhizobia plays a crucial role in supplying nitrogen sufcient to maintain good crop productivity. Characterization of indigenous bradyrhizobia is a prerequisite in the selection and development of efective bioinoculants. In view of this, bradyrhizobia were isolated from soybean nodules in four agro-climatic zones of eastern Kenya (Embu Upper Midland Zone, Embu Lower Midland Zone, Tharaka Upper Midland Zone, and Tharaka Lower Midland Zone) using two soybean varieties (SB8 and SB126). The isolates were characterized using biochemical, morphological, and genotypic approaches. DNA fngerprinting was carried out using 16S rRNA gene and restricted by enzymes HaeIII, Msp1, and EcoRI. Results: Thirty-eight (38) bradyrhizobia isolates obtained from the trapping experiments were placed into nine groups based on their morphological and biochemical characteristics. Most (77%) of the isolates had characteristics of fast-grower bradyrhizobia while 23% were slow-growers. Restriction digest revealed signifcant (p<0.015) variation within populations and not among the agro-climatic zones based on analysis of molecular variance. Principal coordinate analysis demonstrated sympatric speciation of indigenous bradyrhizobia isolates. Embu Upper Midland Zone bradyrhizobia isolates had the highest polymorphic loci (80%) and highest genetic diversity estimates (H’=0.419) compared to other agro-climatic zones. Conclusion: The high diversity of bradyrhizobia isolates depicts a valuable genetic resource for selecting more efective and competitive strains to improve promiscuous soybean production at a low cost through biological nitrogen fxation.
Fingerprinting and Assessing Relatedness of Selected Rice (Oryza Sativa) Genotypes in Kenya
(IOSR Journal of Biotechnology and Biochemistry (IOSR-JBB), 2018) Henga, S.A.; Muriira, G; Njiru, J.M; Thagana, W.M; Githendu, M.W
Rice is becoming an important food and cash crop in East Africa and is second to maize in terms of consumption. Genetic markers are very useful in managing germplasm and are greatly applied in biotechnology as breeding machinery in gene mapping and fingerprinting. Eighteen Rice accessions including landraces grown by the farmers and commercially released cultivars were used to assess the genetic diversity . Leaves were taken from two weeks old plants and the DNA extracted according to Mace.et.al., 2003. PCR was done and DNA fragments visualized by illumination device with UV light. . SSR bands were scored as present (1) or absent (0) for each DNA sample, and used to compute the measures of genetic distance for all pairs of individuals. Analysis of Molecular Variance. Results indicated that the five polymorphic markers used in this study showed a total of 11 alleles across the loci of the 18 rice genotype’s studied. . The expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.191 in RM 261 to 0.5 in RM 22 with an average of 0.336. Genotypes TXD and B217 were identified by the 5markers
Gender Differentiated Adoption of Soil and Water Conservation Practices by Farmers in Kenyan Agricultural Highland Catchments
(2022) Mcharo, M; Waswa, F
Soil and water conservation practices or measures are critical in sustaining land productivity for food production while maintaining the integrity of the land. Cardinal measures in this context are broadly categorised as structural, agronomic, and vegetative. Their ultimate goal is to prevent soil erosion, keep the soil fertile, and conserve soil moisture for guaranteed land productivity. This study assessed the relationship between soil biophysical characteristics and farmer socio-ecocomic characteristics on the one hand, and adoption of soil and water conservation practices that have been promoted in the highland catchments of Kinale-Kikuyu, Cherangani, and Wundanyi. A total of 253 households from Kinale-Kikuyu, 96 from Cherangani, and 40 from Wundanyi catchments were selected to form the survey sample. Our results show that among male farmers, the most preferred practices were structural (35.9%), while vegetative practices (29%) were most popular among female land users. At P = 0.3141, our findings indicate that there is no significant relationship between gender and method of soil and water conservation adopted. In Kinale-Kikuyu 31.3% of the farmers adopted vegetative methods, 42.7% of Cherangani farmers used structural methods, and 60.1% of Wundanyi farmers preferred structural methods. These results demonstrated a significant relationship between the catchment location and the method adopted (P = 0.0002). This study Original Research Article Mcharo and Waswa; JAERI, 23(5): 1-14, 2022; Article no.JAERI.88199 2 confirms the successes and benefits of soil and water conservation practices in all three catchments. Significant differences among catchments in the soil and water conservation practices suggest a stronger correlation between adoption and location compared to adoption and gender
Socioeconomic and Customer Factors Affecting Fresh Produce Trading in Nairobi City Park Market
(East African Journal of Science, Technology and Innovation, 2020) Mwamburi, M; Fuchaka, W
The purpose of this study was to determine the factors that influence and motivate people to engage in fresh produce trading at the Nairobi City Park market. Three objectives guided this study, thus: (i) To determine the relationship between trader socio-economic factors and the decision to trade at the City Park market (ii) To establish the fresh produce related factors that motivate traders to operate at the City Park market (iii) To find out the customer related factors that motivate traders to sell their produce at the City Park market. This study was based on the central place theory of retail outlet location. A case study involving key informant interviews and questionnaires was done. Data were obtained from two key informants, 119 traders, and 20 customers. Systematic sampling was used to select traders, snowball sampling to select consumers and purposive sampling to select key informants. Youth constituted 52.5% of the traders, which should motivate the government to invest in youth agribusinesses. Important reasons for establishing businesses at City Park were space availability (27.2%), security (18.5%) and proximity to customers (16.3%). Significant correlations (P ≤ 0.1) included those between number of employees and number of repeat customers (r = 0.533). Half of the traders who used various ways to attract customers also employed a shop assistant (χ2 = 6.43, P = 0.011). Policymakers can prioritise creation of more market space, provide security and improve transport infrastructure. Traders value high net-worth customers willing to pay a premium for high quality produce. Customers value diversity and quality of produce, and secure trading environment. The government should formulate policies that encourage traders to establish long term businesses. Fresh produce quality standards should be clearly defined and legalized. Market environments should be improved through construction of well-designed buildings with amenities utilities, and security.
Soil Properties and Maize Yields Under Tied Ridging, Fertilizer Micro-Dosing and Different Cropping Systems in Semi-Arid Regions of Kenya
(RUFORUM, 2018) Mwende, N; Danga, B.O.; Mugwe, J.; Kwena, K.
In semi-arid parts of Kenya, the major threat to food security is declining soil fertility, inadequate and un-reliable rainfall. In order to minimize these challenges, there is need to adopt soil management practices that cope with low rainfall in semi-arid areas. A field experiment was carried out in four seasons at Katumani in Machakos County. The main objective of the study was to determine the effect of tied ridging, fertilizer micro-dosing and cropping systems on soil properties (soil pH and soil organic carbon) and maize yields. The experiment was a 2x4x2 factorial laid in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). The treatments were tied ridging, flat bed planting, farm yard manure 0t/ha, farm yard manure 5 t/ha, 20 kg nitrogen/ha, farm yard manure 5 t/ha + 20 kg N/ha, maize monocrop and maize-cowpea intercrop. The results revealed that the interactions between tied ridging x fertilizer micro-dosing x cropping systems had a significant (P < 0.05) effect on soil organic carbon, soil pH and maize yields. The findings suggest that it is important to integrate different soil management practices in order to maximize maize yields. The effectiveness of tied ridges is affected by the seasonal rain fall variations and that success is more feasible when the rainfall amount is low
Effect of Integrating Tied ridging, Fertilizers and Cropping Systems on Maize Performance’ in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands of Eastern Kenya
(African Journal of Education, Science and Technology (AJEST), 2019-09) Mwende, N.; Danga, B. O.; Mugwe, J.; Kwena, K.
The main cause of food insecurity in the semi–arid parts of Eastern Kenya is decline in soil fertility, unsuitable cropping systems, low and unreliable rainfall. This has led to low food productivity. An experiment was carried out in semi-arid parts of Eastern Kenya during short rains 2014 and long rains 2015 to determine the effect of tied ridges, fertilizers and cropping systems on growth parameters, yields and yield components of maize. The experiment was a 2 x 4 x 2 factorial laid in a randomized complete block design. The results showed that, interaction between tied-ridges x fertilizers x cropping systems had a significant effect (P<0.05) on plant height, number of leaves/plant, leaf length, leaf width and leaf area. Treatment combinations with maize mono crop resulted to increased vegetative growth compared to treatment combinations of maize cow pea intercrop. During the short rains 2014, treatment combinations of flat bed planting, farm yard manure 5t/ha + 20kgN/ha in maize mono crop recorded the highest value for vegetative growth. However, during the long rains 2015, treatment combinations of tied-ridging with 20kgN/ha in maize mono crop had increased vegetative growth. The interaction between tied ridging x fertilizers x cropping system was significant (P < 0.05) on ears weight, biomass and grain yields. The highest value for grain yield was registered by tied ridging with farm yard manure 5t/ha in maize mono crop and tied ridging plus 20kgN/ha in maize mono crop (0.15t/ha); an increase of 650% above the control treatment. Variations in seasonal rainfall affects the effectiveness of soil and water management practices. From this study, farmers in semi-arid regions of Eastern Kenya could adopt farm yard manure 5t/ha or 20kgN/ha with maize mono crop under tied ridging in order to improve maize yields in seasons when the rain fall amount is below average.
Land Access in the Development of Horticultural Crops in East Africa. A Case Study of Passion Fruit in Burundi, Kenya, and Rwanda
(MDPI, 2020) Mpozi, Bosco Bashangwa; Mizero, Mireille; Egesa, Andrew Ogolla; Nguezet, Paul M. Dontsop; Vanlauwe, Bernard; Ndimanya, Patrice; Lebailly, Philippe
Rapid population growth in fertile agricultural lands of East Africa creates land scarcity, which has become a major hindrance to land access for the introduction of new horticultural crops. But their introduction in these areas is increasing, because of their high market price, which improves farmers’ income. As such, this research evaluated land access dynamics (availability, acquisition, and use changes) on the introduction of passion fruits in East Africa. The study used purposeful sampling to collect information from 171 passion fruit farmers from Burundi (60), Kenya (51), and Rwanda (60) through interviews during field surveys. Among the respondents from all three countries, inheritance and land purchase were the predominant modes of land access (>50% and >21%, respectively). Furthermore, the substitution of other crops by passion fruits was high (>60%) among Kenyan and Rwandan farmers, but low (18%) among Burundian farmers. Our findings indicate that land access influences the patterns of adoption of new crops, since, when limited in supply, it may require the acquisition of new land space, abandonment of other crops, or opting for mixed farming. As such, land access should be a consideration in the promotion of new crops for sustainable agricultural ventures.
Determinants of smallholders farmers’ participation in collective marketing of maize in the central highlands of Kenya
(African Journal of Rural Development, 2019) Mugwe J.; Ayieko, D.; Bett E.
Collective marketing has been proposed as a solution to the problem of poor access to markets in developing nations. However, smallholders’ market participation is still limited. This study assessed farmers’ perception of the benefits and challenges in collective marketing, and identified the determinants of smallholder farmers’ participation in collective marketing of maize from 126 households in the central highlands of Kenya. Logistic regression model was used to analyze factors explaining farmers’ participation in collective marketing. The key benefits of collective marketing were better prices and low cost of inputs, while the main challenges were poor infrastructure, disagreement among members and lack of credit. Gender of household head, years of farming experience, training on market information search, keeping records, ability to search market information, marketing group size, extension contact frequency and group meeting frequency were significantly associated with farmers participation in collective marketing. Participation in collective marketing could be improved by targeting women already organized in groups, offering training to households on record keeping, enhanced extension contacts, improving marketing group operations and searching for markets.
Effect of Integrating Tied ridging, Fertilizers and Cropping Systems on Maize Performance’ in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands of Eastern Kenya
(African Journal of Education, Science and Technology (AJEST), 2019) Mwende, N.; Danga, B. O.; Mugwe, Jayne; Kwena, K.
The main cause of food insecurity in the semi–arid parts of Eastern Kenya is decline in soil fertility, unsuitable cropping systems, low and unreliable rainfall. This has led to low food productivity. An experiment was carried out in semi-arid parts of Eastern Kenya during short rains 2014 and long rains 2015 to determine the effect of tied ridges, fertilizers and cropping systems on growth parameters, yields and yield components of maize. The experiment was a 2 x 4 x 2 factorial laid in a randomized complete block design. The results showed that, interaction between tied-ridges x fertilizers x cropping systems had a significant effect (P<0.05) on plant height, number of leaves/plant, leaf length, leaf width and leaf area. Treatment combinations with maize mono crop resulted to increased vegetative growth compared to treatment combinations of maize cow pea intercrop. During the short rains 2014, treatment combinations of flat bed planting, farm yard manure 5t/ha + 20kgN/ha in maize mono crop recorded the highest value for vegetative growth. However, during the long rains 2015, treatment combinations of tied-ridging with 20kgN/ha in maize mono crop had increased vegetative growth. The interaction between tied ridging x fertilizers x cropping system was significant (P < 0.05) on ears weight, biomass and grain yields. The highest value for grain yield was registered by tied ridging with farm yard manure 5t/ha in maize mono crop and tied ridging plus 20kgN/ha in maize mono crop (0.15t/ha); an increase of 650% above the control treatment. Variations in seasonal rainfall affects the effectiveness of soil and water management practices. From this study, farmers in semi-arid regions of Eastern Kenya could adopt farm yard manure 5t/ha or 20kgN/ha with maize mono crop under tied ridging in order to improve maize yields in seasons when the rain fall amount is below average.
Adoption of Soybean by Smallholder Farmers in the Central Highlands of Kenya
(International Scholars Journals Publishing Corporation, 2019-05) Murage, F. M.; Mugwe, J. N.; Ngetich, K. F.; Mucheru-Muna, M. M.; Mugendi, D. N.
Current demand for soybean in Kenya is higher than production, and the deficit is filled through importation from neighboring Countries. Despite the high demand, production and adoption remain low. The study sought to determine factors influencing the decision to adopt soybean by smallholder farmers, assess acreage under soybean, and its production. Interviews were carried out using an interview schedule on 210 households randomly sampled from purposively selected farmer groups. Data were subjected to cross-tabulation for categorical variables to test for association. It was also subjected to a logistic regression model to predict factors affecting the decision to adopt soybean. Results showed that 41% of the households were adopters while 59% were non-adopters. The number of adopters increased from 28% to 88% over the six seasons. Acreage under soybean and its production increased over the six seasons. Farm size, membership of a farmer group and attendance of training on soybean production influenced the decision to adopt soybean positively while household head age negatively influenced the adoption of soybean. These results imply that the adoption of soybean can be enhanced by targeting younger farmers, farmers with bigger farm sizes, encouraging farmers to join farmer groups and increasing training on soybean.
Application of infrared technique in soil properties’ characterization in South Kivu province of DR Congo
(International Research Journals, 2015) Bashagaluke, J.; Nshobole, N.; Fataki, D.; Mochoge, B.; Mugwe, J. N.; Walangululu, J.
Understanding soil properties is an essential pre-requisite for sustainable land management. Assessment of soil properties has long been done through conventional laboratory analysis, which is costly and time consuming. Therefore, there is a need to develop alternative cheaper and faster techniques for soil analysis. In recent years, special attention has been given to Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy and chemometrics. Near Infrared Reflectance (NIR) and mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopy techniques are rapid, convenient and simple non-destructive techniques for quantifying several soil properties. This study aims to characterized soil based on based on infrared spectroscopy. This method were to predict soil pH, soil organic C, total N, exchangeable Al, Ca, Mg, and K, CEC and soil texture for soil samples collected in Sud-Kivu province, Democratic Republic of Congo. A total of 530 composite soil samples were taken from two locations (Burhale and Luhihi) at two depths (0-20 and 20- 40 cm) using a spatially-stratified random sampling design within an area of 100 km2. After minimal sample preparation, the MIR spectrum of a soil takes about two minutes for the analyses. Ddifferences in characteristics were evaluated between the two locations, land use (cultivated vs. non-agricultural land) and soil depth. A random subset of the samples (10%) were analyzed using standard wet chemistry methods, and calibration models developed using MIR data to estimate soil properties for the full soil sample set. Partial least squares regression (PLS) method gave acceptable coefficients of determination between 0.71 and 0.93 for all parameters hence good prediction. Though IR is cheap for analyzing soil properties it requires high investment at the beginning. There is therefore need of technical and material support to make this technology useful in developing countries.
Soil acidification and lime quality: sources of soil acidity, its effects on plant nutrients, efficiency of lime and liming requirements
(Sjournals, 2013) Athanase, N.; Vicky, R.; Mugwe, J. N.; Sylvestre, H.
Agriculture sectors support economy of most developing countries. In Sub-Sahara Africa, the agriculture is predominantly based on rain-fed agricultural production of small, semi-subsistence, and increasingly fragmented farms. Thus, the farming is intensive and fields are concentrated on valleys, steep hillsides and mountains. This results in soil acidity, low fertility, accelerated soil erosion and low crop yields. Soil acidity affects crops in many ways and its effects are mostly indirect, through its influence on chemical factors such as aluminium (Al) and manganese (Mn) toxicity, calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P) and magnesium (Mg) deficiencies and biological processes. The application of lime believed to enhance soil health status through improving soil pH, base saturation, Ca and Mg. It reduces Al and Mn toxicity and increases both P uptake in high P fixing soil and plant rooting system. However, the liming effects depend on its source, its characteristics, composition, purity and how finely it is ground. The estimation of lime requirement is constraining its use for smallholder farmers and young soil scientists. This study therefore aimed at highlighting the most causes of soil acidification, lime quality and lime requirement. This review article will serve as a guide for farmers and young soil scientists in addressing soil acidity
Interactive effect of goat manure, phosphate fertilizer and lime on soil fertility in Embu County, Kenya
(Discovery Publication., 2018) Verde, B.S.; Danga, B. O.; Mugwe, J. N.
Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) is one of the most important legume crops being introduced into the smallholder farming systems of the Central Highlands of Kenya (CHK) to improve income and household nutrition of farmers. However, nutrient mining resulting from crop uptake and erosion; and soil acidity which affects plant nutrients less available through different means such as phosphorus fixation and impairment of biological mediated processes in the soil. The objective of the study was to evaluate the interactive effects of manure, lime and phosphorus fertilizer on soil chemical properties in an acid soil. The study consisted of 5 treatments: manure (0 and 5 ton.ha-1), lime (0 and 2 ton.ha-1) and P fertilizer (0 and 30 kg P2O5 ha-1). The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 4 replicates in plots of 4.0 m x 4.5 m. Integrated application of manure, lime and phosphate fertilizer proved to affect positively soil chemical properties by increasing the most soil pH, exchangeable Ca, Mg and K; and reduced exchangeable acidity. The same combination
Impact of plant clinics on disease and pest management, tomato productivity and profitability in Malawi
(Centre for Agriculture and Biosciences International, 2018) Bett, Eric; Mugwe, Jayne; Nyalugwe, Nixon; Haraman, Erick; Williams, Frances; Tambo, Justice; Wood, Anna; Bundi, Mary
omato (Lycopersicon esculentum) is one of the most widely cultivated vegetable crops in Malawi and a crucial source of vitamins and mineral nutrition. However, tomato production has been more constrained by pests and diseases compared to other vegetable crops, resulting in low yields and returns among the smallholder farmers. The Plantwise programme, involving the use of plant clinics, is an innovative approach to solve plant health problems in developing countries. Farmers participating in plant clinics are expected to benefit in terms of changes in knowledge, and management of crop pest and diseases leading to improved livelihoods. However, few studies have been carried out to assess the impact of plant clinics on farmers’ enterprises. Impact assessment demonstrates and measures the outcomes of a given agricultural development initiative. This study therefore aimed to assess the impact of plant clinic activities in Malawi on tomato productivity. The AKAP sequence (Awareness, Knowledge, Adoption and Productivity) was used as a methodological framework to evaluate plant clinic impact among smallholders in Malawi. The data was collected from 738 households (279 users and 459 non-users of plant clinics) through household interviews using the open data kit (ODK) in August 2017 and subjected to data cleaning and transformation before analysis. The data was analysed using R, SPSS and STATA procedures. The study revealed that both local and external sources of crop pest and disease information were important in Malawi, an approach which has been advocated as effective in managing insect vectors and bacterial/fungal pathogens in smallholder vegetable farming systems, such as Malawi. The plant clinics were shown to increase farmer-seeking and intervention behaviour of specific and knowledge-intensive agronomic solutions, compared to non-users who relied on local and more general sources of pest and disease management information. Users of plant clinics also recorded higher patterns in recognition of pathogen disease symptoms than non-users. Plant clinic attendees recorded significantly higher knowledge levels of red spider mite (RSM) of 19% compared to non-users (17%). Plant clinics users demonstrated increased tomato yields and incomes in Malawi. Users of plant clinics increased yields by 20% compared to matched non-users. The gross margins for tomato farmers improved by 21% for users of plant clinics. The plant clinics in Malawi enhanced the awareness and knowledge of tomato pests and diseases, which improved adoption of interventions and tomato yields in Malawi. Thus, this approach should be promoted and scaled up to improve the Malawi tomato sector through farmer training, awareness creation and capacity building on pathogens, pests and their effective management.

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