Browsing by Author "Kuria, S.G."
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Item Arid and Range Lands Research Institute Annual Report 2022-2023(Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, 2023) Katiku, P.N.; Bett, C.; Ogillo, B.P.; Manyeki, J.K.; Wambulwa, L.M.; Kuria, S.G.; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research OrganizationThe Arid and Range Lands Research Institute (ARLRI) is one of the Institutes created under the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Act No 17 of 2013 to drive the research agenda and provide technical support to the livestock sub-sector with a focus on the rangelands of Kenya. The mandate of the ARLRI is to develop appropriate Technologies, Innovations and Management Practices (TIMPs) geared towards increased livestock productivity and sustainable management of landscapes that guarantees living income and quality life to communities living in the rangelands of Kenya. The Institute headquarters (HQ) is in Kiboko, Makueni County and has range grass ecotypes testing sites in Katumani (Kambe Mawe), Buchuma, Mariakani, Lanet and Alupe and Perkerra. The institute does basic, applied, adaptive research and facilitate the use of improved TIMPs in priority agricultural products value chains including beef, goat, range grass and fodder legume hay, range grass and legume seed in order to achieve and maintain self-sufficiency in feeds and food among the rangeland communities. The institute partners and collaborates with individual farmers, producer organizations, national and county governments, international development and research organizations in undertaking its research and technology transfer programs. Through these links, the institute is currently implementing 3 research projects funded to the tune of KES. 19 million for 2 years mainly by the EU, Government of the Kingdom of Netherlands and the World Bank. The main areas covered by these projects are; registration and release of range grass varieties, development of agronomic packages for the grasses, development of beef finishing and dairy improvement feeding innovations, commercial production of range grass and fodder legume seeds and technology transfer.Item Breeding Management for Healthy Sheep and Goats(Kenya Agricultural & Livestock Research Organization, 2017) Isako, T.; Kuria, S.G.; Walaga, H.K.; Njanja, J.C.; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research OrganizationIn northern Kenya, sheep and goats are the most dominant livestock species that are traded for food and socio-cultural purposes. However, breeding malpractices are among the major factors that reduce flock productivity. Major challenges established through research in pastoral flocks are congenital problems and reduced flock performances which is attributed to inbreeding. In addition, pastoralist do not do timely castration of bucks and rams thus giving opportunity for undesired males to breed. Off season breeding has resulted in high mortality rates due to lack of feeds for both parents and offsprings.Item Control Mastitis for Hygienic Camel Milk(Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Oganization (KALRO), 2017) Adongo, A.O. ; Tura, I. ; Kuria, S.G.; Wayua, F.O.; Golicha, D.; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Oganization (KALRO).Mastitis causes part or whole of the camel udder to swell. The disease is mainly caused by bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus agalac tiae). Some local camel keepers believe the disease results from 'bad eye' or the envy of neighbours with ill feelings on another's herd. It is commonly referred to as Budha by many camel keepers. Milk from an infected camel may contain blood, flakes and changes colour from white yellow or red.Item Diagnosis and Control of Coccidiosis in Goat and Lambs for Fast Growth(Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, 2017) Njanja, J.C.; Walaga, H.; Lesira, H.; Kuria, S.G.; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research OrganizationAn infection of the gastrointestinal tract by the Coccidia family of Eimeria spp.Item Effects of Clipping Frequency and Intensity on Structural Characteristics of Range Grass Ecotypes in a Kenyan Dryland: Implications for Rangeland Management(2023-03-20) Kisambo, B.K.; Kirwa, E.C.; Ogillo, B.P.; Kubasu, D.O.; Musyimi, D.; Rop, D.; Kuria, S.G.; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research OrganizationLivestock production is an important economic activity in rangeland environments. Its highly dependent on natural indigenous grasses which are also currently being cultivated and used for restoration of degraded environments. With the challenging biophysical situations in the ASALs, these grasses currently face various challenges including defoliation disturbance and precipitation variability resulting in changes in plant and vegetation structure. A field simulation experiment was used to determine the effects of clipping frequency and intensity on grass ecotypes structural features (plant cover, plant height, spread, tillering) over two growing seasons in southeastern Kenya. 4 grass ecotypes of two common species (Cenchrus ciliaris and Panicum maximum) were subjected to 3 clipping frequencies (High, moderate, low) and 3 clipping intensities (high, low, moderate). Plant responses to these treatments were monitored over two seasons. Panicum maximum TVT was the tallest grass ecotype (64.57 cm) while Cenchrus ciliaris KLF was the shortest (25.18 cm). Canopy spread did not significantly differ among the grass ecotypes (p >0.05) though C. ciliaris MGD had a larger spread (74.82 cm) compared to the other grass ecotypes. C. ciliaris MGD also had a significantly higher number of tillers (282.49) as well as ground cover (45.92%). Infrequent clipping resulted in plants that were taller, had higher canopy spread and had more tillers and enhanced ground cover while frequent and intensively clipping the grass ecotypes had detrimental effects on all the characteristics. Compared to low frequency clipping, high frequency clipping reduced plant height in general by up to 34%, canopy spread by 45%, tillers by 13% and reduced ground cover by 25%. Trends in tillering also varied depending on grass ecotype, frequency and intensity of defoliation in addition to the effects of season. High clipping frequencies and intense clipping, despite being common in rangelands should be avoided as it has demonstrated to reduce some structural features of grasses in this study which is harmful not only to the plant but to the environment in general. This information is relevant to design appropriate utilization strategies and develop varieties that are key to specific semi-arid environments and management objectives.Item Enteric Methane Emission of Cattle Grazing Rangeland Ecosystems of South Eastern Kenya(Research Square, 2022-03-16) Maweu, A.N.; Bebe, B.O.; Kuria, S.G.; Kashongwe, O.B.; Egerton University, Kenya Agricultural & Livestock Research OrganizationLarge herds grazing degraded rangeland pastures are associated with enteric methane emission, contributing to Global Warming Potential (GWP). Kenya has large herds of ruminants grazing rangelands yet hardly are methane emissions and associated GWP quantified. This study estimated enteric methane emission and the GWP from cattle grazing in Makueni County, a rangeland ecosystem in Southeastern Kenya. Estimation applied the IPCC Tier II approach that incorporated seasonal differences in feed quality, dry matter intake and animal performance to provide improved methane emission factors (EFs). Data on cattle population, animal classes and their performance and animal activity for the year 2019 was obtained from the County livestock inventory reports while feed quality data was sourced from recently published literature. The resultant EFs were 47.1 kg year-1 for females> 2yrs; 27.2 kg year-1 for heifers 1-2 yrs; 46.5 kg year-1 for males> 2yrs; 32.9 kg year-1 for young males 1-2yrs; and 17.2 kg year-1 for calves< 1yr. These EFs were higher (7.7 to 14.9%) than those of Tier I for females> 2yrs, young males 1-2yrs and for calves< 1yr but lower (5.4 to 12.3%) for males> 2yrs and for heifers 1-2 yrs. The Tier II estimates were 4.4% higher than the estimates with Tier I approach for both total estimated enteric methane emission (9,279,526.80 vs 8,889,997 kg CH 4/year) and GWP (259,826,750.4 vs. 248,919,916 kg CO 2 eq). The results reflect uncertainty of EFs generated from Tier I approach, which necessitates development of region-specific EFs using data from local breeds of animals and feed resources. This will improve certainties of the enteric methane emissions and accuracy in reporting the Nationally Determined Contributions.Item Genetic Diversity and Relationship of Indigenous Kenyan Camel Breeds : Preliminary Results(Animal Production Society of Kenya, 2001) Mburu, D.N.; Ochieng, J.W.; Jianlin, H.; Kaufmann, B.; Kuria, S.G.; Rege, J.E.O.; Hanotte, O.H.; International Livestock Research Institute, Kenya; State Key Laboratory of Arid Agroecology; University of Hohenheim; Kenya Agricultural Research Institute; International Livestock Research Institute, EthiopiaCamels are important resource for the desert-dwelling communities. They are a source of income, milk and meat and often play an important sociocultural role in pastoralist societies. In order to help formulate a rational conservation, utilisation and Development policy for the species in Kenya, a diversity of Kenyan camel breeds is being studied using microsatellite markers. Preliminary results on the analyses of four breeds (Rendille, Gabra, Turkana and Somali) with 10 micro\92satellite loci are Reported here. Their relationships with dromedary and bactrian populations from the Arabian Peninsula and the Asian continent have been investigated. Genetic distances between Kenyan camel populations are low with the Rendille and Gabra camels being the most closely related breeds. Kenyan camels are genetically clearly distinct from the Asian and Arabian dromedary as well as from the bactrian camel. They are genetically less variable than non-Kenyan populations, possibly due to a lower number of initial individuals.Item Improved Camel Calf Management(Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, 2017) Kuria, S.G.; Tura, I.; Aloo, F.; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research OrganizationCamel calves are important as they are the future camels, without which the herd cannot grow and neither would milk be available. Under traditional pastoral production systems, recent research has reported mortality rates of up to 60% among calves aged below three months. This high mortality is mainly attributed to diseases like diarrhoea, tick paralysis and competition for milk with humans, among others. Several strategies have been formulated and can be used to increase camel calf survival rate and herd size which provides milk to the family and income through sale of live camels.Item Promoting Improved Forages for Increased Livestock Productivity in the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) of Kenya: A Case of Kajiado, Narok, and Taita Taveta Counties(International Journal of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, 2023) Maweu, A.N.; Korir, B.K.; Kuria, S.G.; Ogillo, B.P.; Kisambo, B.K.; Wambulwa, L.M.; Kubasu, D.O.; Musyimi, D.M.; Manyeki, J.K.; Chege, P.W.; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research OrganizationInadequate nutrition is a major constraint that negatively impacts the growth and viability of cattle farming in Kenya's arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs). This is hastened by the adverse effects of climate change that lead to feed scarcity and poor-quality feed. However, these impacts can only be checked with the use of improved technologies hence the need to disseminate adaptation strategies and technologies. In an attempt to resolve the situation, Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KARLO) in partnership with SNV Netherlands Development Organization agencies instituted a research program; Integrated & Climate Smart Innovations for Agro-Pastoralist Economies and Landscapes Kenya’s (ICSIAPL) and established demonstration plots across highlands and lowland regions in Kajiado, Narok and Taita Taveta counties. This paper focused on evaluating forage nutritive value and its impact on livestock productivity through testing changes in milk yield and animal acceptability for selected grasses and legumes that were promoted. All the grasses established in the lowland regions (Brachiaria camello, Nutrifeed, Sugar graze, Foxtail, Panicum maximum var Maasai) and legumes (cowpea, dolichos lablab and crotalaria) had crude protein above the critical level of 70kg/Dm except Sugargraze which had a Crude protein of 48 kg/Dm. The test animals showed high acceptability to Nutrifeed (83%) relative to the sugar graze (50%) and recorded 33% and 25% increase in milk when fed on nutrifeed and Sugargraze respectively. The highland grasses (Brachiaria cobra, Brachiaria cayman, Boma rhodes, Panicum maximum var Siambaza) and legumes (Desmodium, Lucerne, purple vetch, sweet potato vines and Mucuna) were also high in nutritive quality with Panicum maximum var Siambasa having high animal acceptability of 75% relative to Brachiaria cobra with 20%. Desmodium had animal acceptability rate of 80%. and recorded 23% increase in milk yield. The results inform that legume species promotes animal performance and should thus be included while feeding to boost the production for sustainable ruminant productivity under ASALs ecosystems.Item Reduce Camel Milk Spoilage Using Simple Cooling Technology(Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, 2017) Adongo, A.O.; Wayua, F.O.; Kuria, S.G.; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research OrganizationMore fresh milk is available for consumption and sale to a large number of consumers. but gets spoilt before reaching market. Simple cooling technology is therefore required in areas with no chilling facilities. This simple cooling technology is a fabric made from sisal fibre. Clean sisal hemp is wrapped around metal milk can. The hemped container is soaked in clean water for at least 30 minutes before the milk is introduced. Soaking the container after wrapping assist in cooling the milk through evaporation.
