ABSTRACT The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance of 1971 brought out the importance of wetlands in the world and the threats they face. In Kenya various types of wetlands face varying challenges, the major one being conversion for agricultural use. The riverine wetlands in Nyamira Division of Nyamira District, Nyamira County face the same challenges because they have been converted for agricultural use, brick making and growing of woodlots due to declining land on the u...
ABSTRACT Food security is the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) one which for Kenya is relevant for eradicating poverty and hunger. Increased agricultural productivity would be solution to the world’s 870 Million (M) food insecure people. Approximately 10M people in Kenya, 51.45% of Western Kenya population and 50-70% of households in Kakamega County suffer chronic food insecurity. Small farm sizes, low yields, production shift from food crops to cash crops and low levels of skills and t...
ABSTRACT Rain water harvesting technologies (RWHTs) known as Zai pit and Half-moon have been embraced by small-scale farmers as a solution to climate related shocks. However, little is known on the socio-economic, institutional and technological aspects affecting farmers demand for the technologies as well their effects on farmers’ income. This study was meant to fill this knowledge gap. The general objective was to contribute towards improved food security through enhanced use of Zai pit ...
ABSTRACT The growing population in developing countries has necessitated a shift in preference for indigenous food. Small ruminant meat being one of the preferred indigenous products has registered huge increase in demand over the last few years. Therefore, demand for sheep and goat meat is predicted to rise predominantly in Arid and Semi- Arid Lands (ASAL), thereby creating new meat markets as well as expansion of the existing small ruminant value chain. Isiolo- Nairobi small ruminant value...
ABSTRACT Dissemination of push-pull technology (PPT), continued use and expansion of land area under PPT remain critical requirements in addressing the major constraints facing maize production. These include infestation by Striga weed and stem borers, coupled with declining soil fertility conditions which jointly result in low yields and poverty in many developing countries. Despite the extensive literature on PPT adoption, its impacts as well as wider dissemination, little is known about d...
ABSTRACT With the declining public investments in extension services in Kenya, smallholder farmers are accessing inputs and advisory services from private sector through diverse business models, namely producer organization driven, milk processor driven or direct procuring. However, farmers‟ choice of the business models and their influence on dairy performance and technical efficiency is empirically unclear. Using data from random sample of 246 smallholder dairy farmers in a cross- sectio...
ABSTRACT Sweet sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L). Moench] is important for production of fodder and ethanol worldwide. Objectives of this study were to determine: (i) the most suitable harvesting stage for sweet sorghum for which ethanol production is a maximum, (ii) the combining abilities for ethanol related traits and (iii) the best sweet sorghum hybrids for production of industrial alcohol. Experiments were conducted in Nakuru (0° 23′S, 35° 35′E), Homa Bay (0.35o 13′07′′S, 34o 07�...
ABSTRACT Increased consumer awareness has raised concerns over food safety and production methods. In Nigeria, consumption of organic produce is low. This study assessed consumer willingness to pay for selected organic leafy vegetables. Data from 129 respondents were obtained using a simple random sampling technique. Conjoint analysis and contingent valuation were used to analyze willingness to pay and determinants of willingness to pay. Contingent valuation indicated that 84.5%, 76%, and 62...
ABSTRACT Despite the acknowledged importance of agricultural science and technology (AS&T), little is known about the structure and performance of AS&T policy system in developing countries. The structure and performance of this policy system in Kenya and Uganda was analysed using a preliminary ‘system components-shift effects’ framework. The system components comprised of agricultural research, extension, education and transboundary technology transfer. The impact of these components wa...
ABSTRACT Measuring market integration is one of the most important aspects that can be used to assess the impacts of market development and liberalization policies. The study used cointegration approach to evaluate market integration in the sugar industry in Kenya. The approach used appreciates the existence of transaction cost and other determinants of market integration including effective communication as well as good transport network. The nature of movement of sugar prices in different ...
ABSTRACT The Sahiwal cattle breed in Kenya is a product of a long-term upgrading program involving Sahiwal bulls and the Small East African Zebu (SEAZ) dams. It is an important animal genetic resource that play dual purpose role but information about its population structure, demographic trends and genetic diversity is lacking. The breed faces several challenges that include high risks of inbreeding, drought related challenges, competition from exotic breeds and indiscriminate crossbreeding....
ABSTRACT Production of maize in Western Kenya is adversely affected by Striga hermonthica, a hemiparastic weed that produces numerous seeds that remain dormant in the soil for even more than 20years. These characteristics coupled with continuous cereal cropping have contributed to the high level of Striga seeds in the soil and the accompanying maize yield losses. Integrating legumes as intercrops is one way of reducing density of S. hermonthica in the soil and improving the livelihood of sub...
ABSTRACT Stem rust (Puccinia graminis f.sp. tritici- Pgt) disease is currently one of the major biotic constraints in wheat (Triticum aestivum) production worldwide. Access to diverse sources of genetic resistance is important in building a broad base resistance to stem rust in our commercial wheat varieties. The obejectives of this study were (i) to screen wheat genotypes from diverse origins for both seedling (SPR) and adult plant resistance (APR) to the predominant Ug99 race and its varia...
ABSTRACT More than 80 percent of the population in Ethiopia lives in rural areas and their main source of income is agriculture. Agriculture accounts for 45 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employs 85 percent of the labour force.Export of agricultural products constitutes 86 percent of the total foreign exchange earnings. The country has taken different measures to diversify and increase the contribution of the export sector to economic growth such as; export trade duty incent...
ABSTRACT Aquaculture in Kenya is diverse with uncharacterized fish strains under varying production and management systems. This study characterized the smallholder aquaculture systems and analyzed the growth and survival of the African catfish (Clariasgariepinus) fingerlingsin the former Eastern Province of Kenya. The study also mapped the smallholder aquaculture value chain and identified the main challenges therein. Information on the value chain, fish production and management was collat...