Browsing by Author "Kamau, E."
Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
- Results Per Page
- Sort Options
Item Gender-Responsive Participatory Variety Selection in Kenya: Implications for Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Breeding in Kenya(MDPI, 2021-11-27) Nchanji, E.B.; Lutomia, C.K.; Ageyo, O.C.; Karanja, D.; Kamau, E.Participatory variety selection (PVS) is the selection of new varieties among fixed lines by farmers under different target environments. It is increasingly being used to select and promote new crop breeding materials in most African countries. A gender-responsive PVS tool was piloted in Embu and Nakuru in the first and second cropping seasons of 2019 to understand similarities and differences between men’s and women’s varietal and trait preferences for biofortified released varieties and local bean varieties (landraces). Pooled results indicate that varietal and trait preferences between men and women farmers were slightly different but followed gendered roles and division of labor. Women farmers have a higher preference for landraces compared to men due to their availability, affordability and accessibility. Preferences for bean varieties differed between men and women across the two counties. High yielding was the most prioritized trait by both men and women for Mwitemania, Nyota, and Angaza. The findings support the long-held assumption that men prefer market-oriented traits, but women have a greater range of concerns thus less market oriented than men. For Nyota, men’s preferences were shaped by market traits, while women’s preferences were based on the variety being early maturing, resistant to pests and diseases, marketable, and fast cooking. For other varieties, men preferred Mwitemania because it is high yielding, early maturing, resistant to pests and diseases, and marketable. In contrast, women preferred Mwitemania because of seed availability, fast cooking, and early maturing. However, men’s and women’s varietal preferences for Angaza were similar, with them reporting early maturing, resistance to pests and diseases, and marketability as attractive traits. Sociodemographic characteristics such as education, age, marital status, and land ownership underlined the differences in trait preferences. Despite having attractive traits for both men and women, Nyota increased drudgery, displaced women from their usual activities, and required additional inputs by women, signaling possible adoption tradeoffs. However, Nyota, Angaza, and Mwitemania can provide the opportunity to increase employment for women. This study calls for gender integration at the design stage of any breeding system to ensure men and women farmers have access to varieties they prefer for food and income generation.Item Management of Biotic Constrains to Tomato Production by Farmers in Bungoma County, Kenya(Journal of Horticulture, 2022-07-23) Odhiambo, H.; Orayo, M.; Wayua, F.; Mulwa, J.; Havi, S.; Kamau, E.; Ochieng, V.; Ndambuk, J.; Tabu, R.; Wasilwa, L.; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research OrganizationA baseline survey on pest and disease management by tomato farmers was conducted in seven farming communities of Chemsis, Chesikaki, Bukonoi, Namtoholo, Chemondi, Kabomi and Kang’anga’ in Mt. Elgon sub- county. A total of 93 farmers were selected using the stratified proportionate sampling method and interviewed through structured questionnaires. Data collected included demographic characteristics, tomato varieties, sources of tomato seed materials, major pests and diseases management practices, farm record keeping and communication information transfer. The cultivated tomato varieties were Elgon Kenya F1, Cal J, Safari F1, Stricker F1, Rionix, Kilele F1, Rio Grande (Simlaw), Rio Grande (Seed Co), Terminator, Money Maker, Roma F1, Shanti F1, Pamela F1(Agrotec), Ranger F1 and Safa F1. Adult farmers (36 to 81 years) dominated tomato farming at 59% while youths (18 to 35 years) represented 41% of the respondents, 96.7% sourced tomato seeds from agrovets, 2.2% recycled their own seeds and 1.1% borrowed seeds from fellow farmers. The use of synthetic agrochemicals in managing pests and diseases stood at 55.9% and 45.8% respectively. About 16.3%, 10.3%, 7.9%, 4.8% and 4.8% of respondents planted tolerant varieties, practiced crop rotation, rouging, use of botanicals and indigenous knowledge to control pests respectively. Rouging, use of tolerant varieties, scouting and crop rotation were reported by 12.5%, 15%, 1.7% and 12.8% of respondents, respectively. However, 8.7% of respondents were not controlling pests and diseases whereas 3.5% relied on indigenous knowledge. About 14% of the respondents relied on other farmers for information. The study therefore recommends awareness creation on correct use of chemicals and use of safer alternatives. Future studies on the level of synthetic chemical residues in tomatoes produced in Bungoma county are necessary.Item Response of Common Beans (Phaseolus Vulgaris L.) to Seed Treatment in Central Kenya(African Journal of Agricultural Research, 2022-02) Waswa, B.S.; Kamau, E.; Karanja, D.; Mairura, F.; Pan Africa Bean Research Alliance (PABRA) ; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO)Seed treatment presents an opportunity to boost bean productivity; however, the technology has not been widely tested in Kenya and the sub Saharan Africa region. An experiment was carried out at Kandara, Central Kenya to compare the effects of seed treatment applications on bean performance. The split-plot design experiment with three replicates included four seed treatment products: Apron Star, Seed Plus, Gro Plus and TriCoat applied at recommended and half recommended rates with two bean varieties as test crop. Split-plot ANOVA was implemented using Genstat and agricolae R procedures to compare the effects of seed treatment applications on aphid pest severity and bean performance parameters. Varietal performance differences to the seed treatment were observed with Nyota variety performing better than KATB1. Generally, Apron Star at recommended rates reported lowest pest incidences and consistent bean performance over the two cropping seasons. Consistent treatment effects were observed for recommended rates compared to half rate applications. Under favorable environmental conditions, use of the seed treatment products alone produced yields comparable to the fertilizer treatment. The benefits observed from use of seed treatment technology makes it a potentially sustainable strategy for improving productivity for cash strapped small-scale producers in the region.
