ABSTRACT A study was conducted at Tatton Agricultural Park (Egerton University) to determine inclusion levels and effects of milled mature pods of Prosopis juliflora on feed intake (FI), growth performance, feed conversion ratio (FCR), dressing % and weights of internal organs (liver, gizzard and heart) of finishing broilers. The nutrient composition of the pods was also determined. Experimental diets were formulated using milled mature Prosopis pods (MMPP) at varying levels and offered to br...
ABSTRACT This study was conducted to analyse beef cattle value chains so as to identify potential areas for intervention in order to improve livestock keepers’ access to markets in Longido and Monduli districts in Tanzania. The study was a cross sectional design. Data were collected from 191 beef cattle value chains actors using individuals and key informant interviews. The data collected were summarized using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) and Microsoft Excel. Sub-sector ma...
ABSTRACT This study assessed the extent to which rice producers from Maramvya irrigated scheme could raise their productivity and profitability if they efficiently use inputs in producing rice. To achieve this objective, simple random sampling was used to select 230 rice farmers in the study area and cross-sectional data were collected for season 2016/A. The collected data were subjected to analysis where output responsiveness with respect to each of the inputs, technical, allocative and eco...
ABSTRACT The study was conducted in Arusha chini and Maboghini wards to determine socio-cultural factors that influence Maasai women participation in income generating activities. Specific objectives of the study were: to identify income generating activities that Maasai women participate; to identify socio-cultural factors influencing Maasai women in income generating activities; to determine gender relations affecting Maasai women participation in income generating activities and to asses...
ABSTRACT The study on contribution of CDI TASAF in the reduction of poverty was conducted in Zanzibar Urban West Region. Specifically, the study aimed at assessing community awareness on the process of implementation of the TASAF projects; to determine the contribution of TASAF on initiation and implementation of community development initiative (CDI) projects; to determine the contribution of TASAF projects on improving the standard of living of the community and lastly to assess people’s...
ABSTRACT Two studies were conducted to evaluate effectiveness of CaO, enzymes, microbes and Ca(OH)2 in improving the feeding value of maize stover (MS) for beef animals. Study I involved five treatments; untreated MS (T1), CaO treated MS (T2), CaO + enzymes treated MS (T3), CaO + microbes treated MS (T4), CaO + enzymes + microbes treated MS (T5). Study II involved untreated MS (T6) and MS treated with Ca (OH)2 (T7). The treatments were evaluated for chemical composition, degradability, gas p...
ABSTRACT Performances of three sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) genotypes (Wahi, Hakika and Pato) and inorganic soil amendments were studied under naturally Striga asiatica [L.] Kuntze infestation for one cropping season (2015/16) in two locations, using a split plot design laid out in a randomized complete block design with four replications. A susceptible sorghum (Pato cultivar) was used as a bioassay to evaluate the effectiveness of reduced rates of N under Striga infestation. At Hombo...
ABSTRACT The study assessed the trend, structure, composition, determinants and effectiveness of Federal Government agricultural expenditure policies and the implications of these policies from 1960- 98.The study covered the Nigerian nation and used federal level time series data to achieve the set down objectives. The primary analytical method consisted of descriptive analysis, appropriate pictorial diagrams, line and pie charts. Stationarity, co – integration /error correction model (ecm...
ABSTRACT Despite “Push Pull” Technology’s (PPT) effectiveness to increase maize yields by controlling Stemborer and striga weeds, its full benefits are yet to be realized. The PPT involves planting Napier grass around maize and intercropping with Desmodium. Agricultural shows and agrodealers are often used to spread PPT but knowledge of their effectiveness was inadequate. This study sought to determine how they enhanced PPT dissemination and used a cross-sectional research design to co...
ABSTRACT The study was generally intended to estimate the effectiveness of Livestock Management and Infrastructure Development (LIMID) programme in improving the welfare of the rural poor in Boteti Sub-District Botswana. Specifically, the study was carried to determine the main challenges encountered by small stock producers during and after application for LIMID programme, and further determine the factors influencing the decision of rural farmers to participate in the LIMID programme and f...
ABSTRACT The agriculture sector in Kenya has put in place several strategies to ensure availability and access to food by all people. Market efficiency is one of the strategies that ensure effective movement of food commodities from surplus to deficit regions through market integration. This study assessed dry beans movement across Nairobi, Nakuru, Eldoret and Kitale markets. The main objective of the study was to contribute to knowledge towards monitoring prices of food staples between surp...
ABSTRACT Agricultural transformation is key to poverty reduction and food security in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). In Rwanda, transformation efforts have been focused on increasing smallholder farmers’ participation in agricultural markets, with a purpose to shift them from subsistence to market-oriented production. In spite of this, subsistence farming is still dominant, involving more women than men and little is known on the progress of these farmers towards market orientation. This study ...
ABSTRACT East Coast Fever (ECF) is a tick borne disease endemic in the North Rift region of Kenya. The ECF infections lead to substantial economic loss to smallholder dairy farmers from veterinary costs incurred in using prophylactics and value loss associated with animal mortality and production decline during disease infection. Traditionally, prophylactic strategy of choice is application of acaricide in communal dips and hand spraying, but effectiveness of the strategy is a factor of good...
ABSTRACT Potato is a strategic commodity with the potential to improve food and nutrition security and to generate income in Rwanda. Despite its potential, potato intensification remains low, translating into low yield. The low yield is occasioned mainly by the decline in soil fertility. In addition, farmers adapt a blanket fertilizer recommendation rate which is not sensitive to the actual crop needs. Field experiments were conducted in Birunga, Mudende [L1] and Buberuka, Rwerere [L2] highl...
ABSTRACT Information asymmetry has been recognized as a major impediment to small holder agricultural commercialization in most parts of sub-Saharan Africa. Theoretical and empirical studies in economics and sociology argue that social networks are the most persuasive source of information about new products and behaviours, but governments in developing countries continue to rely on extension services, usually a set of external agents, to communicate with farmers about new technologies. Mixe...