Land degradation is a major cause of decreasing yields and loss of dryland ecosystems resilience in the Kenyan drylands. One of the solutions to land degradation is the application of Sustainable Land Management (SLM) technologies. However, adoption of SLM practices in Kenyan drylands is low. This study sought to enhance adoption of SLM practices by improving farmers capacity through social learning in a Community of Practice (CoP). The study employed Participatory Action Research (PAR) desig...
Despite the importance of Global-GAP standards in promoting production and marketing of quality French beans in Kenya, compliance is still low. Using data from randomly selected 492 French beans, farmers, the study sought to determine the link between risk preferences, Global-GAP certification, observed poverty, and vulnerability to future poverty. The study used social experiment and 5-point Likert scale to solicit risk attitudes parameters, binary Logit model to determine the effect of risk...
Scarcity and seasonality of supply of cereals (for human and livestock feed) causes fluctuation in quantity, quality and increase in feed cost. This results in poor livestock growth, low reproductive performance and high production cost. Prosopis juliflora pods have been used to mitigate this, but success has been hampered by their high content of anti-nutritive compounds (ANC); tannins, crude fibre (CF) phytic acid and aflatoxins. Fermentation has been reported to reduce ANC concentrations. ...
The goat industry plays a key role in provision of economic and social benefits to a significant population in Kenya. Therefore improving their performances would contribute to food security, poverty reduction and economic empowerment of resource poor rural households. Reproductive performances and estimation f response to selection are considered among the essential pillars of economic viability of dairy operations. This thesis evaluated reproductive performance and response to selection of ...
Small farmer commercialization was an indispensable pathway towards sustainable food security based on production specialization of food crops. The common staple food crops in Mwala and Yatta sub-counties which are the main semi-arid areas in Machakos County were green grams and pigeon peas. However, the factors affecting productivity and the resultant output for commercialization are not fully understood. The main objectives were therefore to assess the extent and determinants of the levels ...
Small scale potato enterprises play a central role in creation of jobs and wealth creation for 3.8 million potato farmers along the potato value chain in Kenya. Although, potato roduction and marketing emerges as a promising farm enterprise that can contribute to increased incomes fosmallholder potato farmers. There is little or lack of mpetitiveness among potato farmers.This study intended to fill this knowledge gap by determining the effect of entrepreneurial behaviour on the competitive ad...
Globally, sustainable intensification in rice growing systems and practices has been accelerating in response to the declining productivity trends and the high market demand, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa where uptake of improved technology is low. However, in Oluch irrigation scheme, Rangwe Sub-County, Kenya, weak networks and low innovative capacity are associated with smallholder rice farmers’ which has significantly contributed to limited uptake of system of rice intensification (S...
Abstract: Genetic analysis for traits of interest in crop varieties is necessary in designinig appropriate breeding methods. Several varieties of groundnut have been recommended for cultivation in Ethiopia; however, little genetic information has been generated so far. Therefore, this research was conducted with the objectives of assessing genetic variation and association of traits in groundnut varieties; estimate genetic progresses made through decades of breeding efforts and determine eff...
Abstract: The lowland areas of Ethiopia have considerable potential for increased oil crop production including groundnut. In Benishangul Gumuz Region, groundnut is cultivated in various zones and woredas under rainfed condition. However, due to insufficient improved groundnut varieties found in the region the productivity was low. Testing genotypes for the presence of variations and generation of genetic information is the first step in plant breeding to develop varieties for the targeted a...
Abstract: Landraces constitute the basic material for developing any variety or hybrid. Ethiopia has a large number of Desi chickpea landraces cultivated by the farmers through traditional method of selection over centuries. However, chickpea yield in Ethiopia is still below the realizable potential. And the amount and regional distribution of chickpea diversity in the country is relatively unknown and exploitation of valuable local diversity for breeding higher yielding varieties is hindere...
Abstract: Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is an important vegetable crop in Ethiopia. The yield of the crop is often constrained by low and unbalanced nutrient supply in the soil. This study was undertaken to assess response of garlic variety Chelenko I to vermicompost and mineral N fertilizer application on growth and bulb yield of the crop during the 2016/2017 main rainy season. The treatment consisted of a factorial combination of four levels of vermicompost (0, 2.5, 5 and 7.5 t ha-1) and five...
Abstract: xvi GENOTYPIC VARIATION FOR YIELD AND QUALITY CHARACTERS IN BREAD WHEAT GENOTYPES IN CENTRAL TIGRAY, NORTHERN ETHIOPIA ABSTRACT Development of wheat varieties for high yield with desirable grain quality for different agro ecologies of the country is important. Estimation of variability is critical for variety development. This study was conducted at Axum Agricultural research center in 2016/17 main season to assess the extent of genetic variability of wheat genotypes for yield, yie...
Abstract: Conducting multi-location trials along with the commercial varieties and genotype by environment (G x E) data analysis are vital to breeders to develop superior genotypes and to meet the challenges posed by environmental factors. This research was undertaken to evaluate maize hybrids for yield and yield related traits, assess the effect of G x E on grain yield, and determine the yield stability of hybrids across major maize growing areas of Ethiopia. A total of 24 maize hybrids inc...
Patchouli, botanically known as Pogostemon cablin Benth., belongs to the family Lamiaceae and is renowned for its significant medicinal and aromatic attributes. The primary purpose of its cultivation is to obtain its valuable essential oil, which is obtained by distillation of leaves and tender herbs. Patchouli and its essential oil have various medicinal and aromatic properties, which are used in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, aromatherapy, food flavor, toiletries, perfumery and agarbatti produ...
Agriculture is the major and most certain path to economic growth and sustainability in Nigeria (Chigbu, 2008). According to Ikpi, Olayemi and Kadu (2002) agriculture encompasses all aspects of human activities – being the art, act, a cultural necessity and science of production of food (goods). All these simultaneously create another activity chain that satisfies social and economic needs (Chigbu, 2008).According to Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO, 2009) Nigeria is endowed with an ...