Farmers’ perception and evaluation of brachiaria grass (Brachiaria spp.) genotypes for smallholder cereal–livestock production in East Africa.

Abstract:

Brachiaria (Urochloa) is a genus, common name brachiaria, of forage grasses that is increasingly transforming integrated crop-livestock production systems in East Africa. A study was undertaken to (i) assess smallholder farmers’ perception on benefits of brachiaria in cereal-livestock production, (ii) identify brachiaria production constraints, and (iii) identify farmer preferred brachiaria genotypes. A multi-stage sampling technique was adopted for sample selection. Data were collected through semi-structured individual questionnaire and focus group discussions (FGDs). The study areas included Bondo, Siaya, Homabay and Mbita sub-counties in Western Kenya and the Lake zone of Tanzania. A total of 223 farmers participated in individual response questionnaires while 80 farmers participated in the FGDs. The respondents considered brachiaria mainly important in management of cereal pests (70.4% of respondents) and as an important fodder (60.8%). The major production constraint perceived by both male and female respondents is attacks by arthropods pests (49.2% and 63%, respectively). Spider smites had been observed on own farms by 50.8% of men and 63.1% of women, while sorghum shoot flies had been observed by 58.1% of men and 67.9% of women. These pests were rated as a moderate to severe problem. Xaraes was the most preferred genotype, followed by Mulato II and Piata. These genotypes are important in developing new crop pest management strategies, such as push-pull, and for relatively rapid improvements in crop management and yield increases, particularly in developing countries.

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APA

D, C (2024). Farmers’ perception and evaluation of brachiaria grass (Brachiaria spp.) genotypes for smallholder cereal–livestock production in East Africa.. Afribary. Retrieved from https://track.afribary.com/works/farmers-perception-and-evaluation-of-brachiaria-grass-brachiaria-spp-genotypes-for-smallholder-cereal-livestock-production-in-east-africa

MLA 8th

D, Cheruiyot "Farmers’ perception and evaluation of brachiaria grass (Brachiaria spp.) genotypes for smallholder cereal–livestock production in East Africa." Afribary. Afribary, 10 Mar. 2024, https://track.afribary.com/works/farmers-perception-and-evaluation-of-brachiaria-grass-brachiaria-spp-genotypes-for-smallholder-cereal-livestock-production-in-east-africa. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.

MLA7

D, Cheruiyot . "Farmers’ perception and evaluation of brachiaria grass (Brachiaria spp.) genotypes for smallholder cereal–livestock production in East Africa.". Afribary, Afribary, 10 Mar. 2024. Web. 22 Jan. 2025. < https://track.afribary.com/works/farmers-perception-and-evaluation-of-brachiaria-grass-brachiaria-spp-genotypes-for-smallholder-cereal-livestock-production-in-east-africa >.

Chicago

D, Cheruiyot . "Farmers’ perception and evaluation of brachiaria grass (Brachiaria spp.) genotypes for smallholder cereal–livestock production in East Africa." Afribary (2024). Accessed January 22, 2025. https://track.afribary.com/works/farmers-perception-and-evaluation-of-brachiaria-grass-brachiaria-spp-genotypes-for-smallholder-cereal-livestock-production-in-east-africa

Farmers’ perception and evaluation of brachiaria grass (Brachiaria spp.) genotypes for smallholder cereal–livestock production in East Africa.

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