Browsing by Author "Kirigua, V."
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Item Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization Annual Report 2014 - 2015(Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, 2016) Kenya Agricultural & Livestock Research Organization; Esilaba, A.; Kimani, S.; Ouda, J.; Njanja, J.; Makhoha, S.; Maritim, F.; Kirigua, V.; Maina, P.; Mukundi, K.; Muinda, R.; Kenya Agricultural & Livestock Research OrganizationThe Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) was formed in 2013 by the Kenya Government through the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research (KALR) Act of 2013. In creating KALRO, the Government restructured agriculture and livestock research by merging the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI), Tea Research Foundation of Kenya (TRFK), Kenya Sugar Research Foundation (KESREF) and Coffee Research Foundation (CRF), into a dynamic, innovative, responsive and well-coordinated system driven by a common vision and mission that contributes effectively to national development, in line with the second Medium Term Plan of Kenya Vision 2030. KALRO comprises of 16 interactive and interdependent network of semi-autonomous institutes situated in different parts of the country each with specific mandates that contribute to the overall vision and mission of KALRO. As spelt out in the Act, the key organs of KALRO include a Board of Management, which is the top body of the Organization responsible for making policy recommendations to the National Government; a Secretariat, which is the executive arm; a scientific and Technical Committee, an independent advisory body to the Board; the Agricultural Research Fund, which is expected to operate as the principle funding arm; and Institutes that carry out research in commodities and value chains. During the reporting period, KALRO had an Interim Management Committee (IMC) gazetted by the Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries on 28th February 2014, whose main task was to operationalize the KALR Act.Item Kenya Agricultural Research Institute Annual Report 2006(Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, 2006) Kenya Agricultural Research Institute; Esilaba, A.; Nkonge, C.; Nyongesa, D.; Wandera, F.; Mutisya, J.; Nginyi, J.; Rege, R.; Ngigi, R.; Kirigua, V.; Mukundi, K.; Kenya Agricultural Research Institute; Kenya Agricultural Research InstituteDuring the year 2006, the Institute implemented several donor supported programmes. These programmes included the Kenya Agricultural Productivity Project (KAPP); the Western Kenya Integrated Ecosystem Project (WKIEMP); USAID-SO7 Project; the Desert Margin Project (DMP); small grants projects such as ecosystems breeding, legumes network project, conservation tillage and others with the support of the Rockefeller Foundation. A number of scientists won competitive grants to supplement the support from mainstream development partners. Several international and CGIAR centres also collaborated with us in the implementation of key research activities. In the same year, the management continued to commercialize its activities through the Agricultural Research Investment Service (ARIS). This greatly improved the generation of funds, internally. Through these projects and the support we received from the Government of Kenya (GoK), we attained most of our targets in our Performance Contract and the Institute was rated 'Very Good' by the Government. During the year under review, we released new varieties of maize and sorghum to the market. Three of the maize varieties were licensed to the East African Seed Company Ltd. (EASEED), Crop Africa and Olerai seed companies. We posted a list of 10 new maize varieties on the KARI website in an effort to create awareness on KARI Maize Research Programme. It is our hope that these efforts will improve farmers' access to seed and the relevant information on suitable varieties for various agroecological zones.Item Selected Commercial Banana Cooking Varieties(KALRO - Horticultural Research Institute, 2024) Gathambiri, C.; Gatambia, E.; Nyaga, A.; Njuguna, J.; Nyonje, W.; Cheboswony, R.; Kirigua, V.; Wasilwa, L.Bananas are a rich source of both macronutrients and micronutrients. The cooking types have starchy fruits and are used in their mature unripe form as vegetables, and mostly cooked before consumption.They are a rich source of carbohydrates, potassium and vitamin B6, which helps fight infection and is essential for the synthesis of ‘heme’, the iron containing pigment of hemoglobin. Additionally, bananas are an excellent source of fibre. Cooking bananas can also be converted to other products such as flour, wine, beerand weaning food products. Green (un-ripened) bananas also can be sliced. Low productivity of local banana varieties and low adoption of improved varieties has led to low banana supplies that cannot meet the demand occasioned by the increasing human population driven by a more nutritionally aware consumer base. Farmers are increasingly finding adoption of improved banana varieties with market driven traits necessary in order meet the market demands. Important cooking banana cultivars available in Kenya include Uganda green, Ngombe and FHIA 17, some of which are also dual purpose varieties to make chips and crisps.Item Soil and Water Management – Grass Strip in Mango(KALRO-Horticulture Research Centre, 2024) Tabu, R.; Odhiambo, H.; Magogo, J.; Ndambuki, J.; Ochieng, V.; Kirigua, V.; Wasilwa, L.; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research OrganizationGrass strips are 1 m-wide strip of grass planted on terraces along contours to reduce the amount of water flowing down the slope and conserve soil. This technique can be practiced in wet and moist areas. Grass strips are planted with fodder grass such as napier or are left with natural grass, thereby providing fodder for livestock (cut and carry). Grass strips are widely used as vegetative barriers to reduce soil loss and increase infiltration and soil moisture. Due to increased soil moisture, there is more water available for the crops which leads to increased agricultural production. The grass is grown in alternating strips following contour lines. Depending on the grass used, the strips may provide fodder for livestock as well. Compared to other interventions grass strips can be easily crossed by oxen and ploughs. Grass strips can filter sediment, evacuate excess runoff, and can also withstand inundation. They may ultimately form into bench terraces.Item Tomato Sun Scald(Kenya Agricultural & Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), 2024) Odhiambo, H.; Ochieng, V.; Ndambuki, J.; Tabu, R.; Lelgut, D.; Kirigua, V.; Wasilwa, L.; Kenya Agricultural & Livestock Research OrganizationSunscald is a condition that affects green tomato fruit that has been abruptly exposed to excessive sunshine due to pruning, natural spreading of the plant induced by a high fruit load, or diseased leaf loss.Item Use Contour Bunds for Soil and Water Conservation(Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, 2024) Magogo, J.; Tabu, R.; Odhiambo, H.; Ndambuki, J.; Ochieng, V.; Kirigua, V.; Finyange, P.; Wasilwa, L.; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research OrganizationContour bunds, also known as contour bundling or contour ridges are stone or earthen walls built across a slope to prevent runoff. Making furrows parallel to the contours ensures that rainfall and runoff are spread evenly over a field. The earthen bund is formed by excavating a channel and creating a small ridge on the downhill side. Thus, contour bunds resemble narrow channel terraces commonly referred to as “fanya chini” terraces. This technology is highly suitable for areas with unpredictable rains, especially drought-prone areas. They are commonly used in hilly or mountainous terrain to minimise soil erosion and enhance agricultural productivity.
