Browsing by Author "Muchena, F.N."

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4th International Soil classification Workshop. Rwanda 2nd -12th June 1981
(Kenya Soil Survey, 1981) Muchena, F.N.; Sombroek, W.G.; Kenya Soil Survey
The report covers Oxisols which cover only a minor part of Kenyan land surface. They occur on a variety of physiographic positions and are developed on a variety of parent materials. They are also found in varying present-day climates. on plateaus, gently dissected older peneplains ("uplands") and non-dissected erosional plains.
An Advisory Report on the Soil Conditions and Agricultural Potential of Mwikya's Farm (Nzaui Location, Machakos District), 1982
(Ministry of Agriculture, 1982) Muchena, F.N.; Aore, W.W.; Muchunu, F.M.; Ministry of Agriculture; Ministry of Agriculture
This site evaluation was carried out at the request of Mr. Joshua Mwikya, a farmer in Nzaui location, Machakos District. The farmer had initially sought advice from the Soil Chemistry Section of the National Agricultural Laboratories, who informed him that a soil survey of his farm was necessary. The purpose of the soil survey ~ to examine the soil conditions of the farm and determine its suitability for various crops, The field work was carried out on 19th August, 1982,
The availability of Potassium in some Kenya Soils.
(1974) Muchena, F.N.
The availability of potassium in eleven soil types from various parts of Kenya was tested in a greenhouse experiment. The soils were cropped with sorghum in pots of two different sizes. The concentration and yield of potassium in the above ground 'portions of the sorghum plants were measured after the plants were harvested. The plants were grown for 8 weeks. The intensity of potassium supply (available K) in the soils was measured by the use of four different methods. The K uptake by the sorghum plants was very significantly related (P
Detailed Soil Survey of Jomo Kenyatta College of Agriculture and Technology, Juja (Kiambu District)
(Ministry of Agriculture, 1978) Muchena, F.N.; Wamicha, W.N.; Njoroge, C.R.N.; Ministry of Agriculture
This report describes the soil conditions of the proposed site for the Jomo Kenyatta College of Agriculture and Technology, Juja, Kiambu District. The detailed soil survey was carried out at the request of the Jomo Kenyatta Agricultural and Technical College Project Implementation Committee through Ministry of Agriculture. The survey area comprises approximately 205.8 hectares. The fieldwork was carried out / the period between 31st May and 14th June 1978, /in a topographical map of the proposed site did not exist at the time of the survey. Therefore a Survey of Kenya cadastral plan on scale 1:10,000 was used as the base map.
Evaluation of Organic, Inorganic Fertilizers and Tithonia on Maize Performance in Nitisols of Central Kenya: A farmer Field School Approach Report 2005
(Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, 2005) Kenya Agricultural Research Institute; Gachimbi, L.; Maina, F.; Obanyi, S.N.; Jager, D.D.; Muchena, F.N.; Kenya Agricultural Research Institute
Ngaita area of Kiambu District in Kenya has not been spared by the declining per capita food production common in sub-Saharan Africa. The main reason for this decline is soil fertility. Decline in soil fertility is as a result of complex interaction between biophysical and social economic factors governing the fanner. Farmers in this area are therefore faced with a dilemma of feeding an ever-increasing population while the land resources are declining and food production therefore inadequate. This challenge calls for a conserted effort from aU stakeholders to tackle the soil fertility decline problem. Improving soil fertility has been identified as an essential micro-level strategy for increasing and sustaining food production in small-holder cropping systems (Sanchez et al; 1997). Further intensification and diversification of land use with high value crops is also advocated. The traditional approaches to soil fertility management range from recurring and occasional use of sub-optimal mineral fertilizer rates to applications of low external input agriculture based on organic sources of nutrients. The appropriateness and efficiency of these monolithic methods is a subject of an on-going debate. Many reports are now increasingly showing that a combined and judicious use of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients holds the key to further soil fertility interventions for increased farm productivity (Nandwa and Bekunda, 1998).
Farmer Field Schools and Integrated Nutrient Management in Semi-Arid Areas of Eastern Kenya: Learning Experiences on Testing of Farmyard Manure, DAP, Tithonia and Their Combinations in the Central Learning Plot, 2003
(Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, 2003) Onduru, D.D.; Gachimbi, L.; Muchena, F.N.; De Jager, A.; Kenya Agricultural Research Institute
Determinants of crop productivity growth include soil fertility, pests and diseases, weeds and water availability. In the semi-arid areas of Eastern Kenya, the biophysical challenges such as inherent infertile soils, declining soil fertility, and poor rainfall distribution together with farmer's poor socio-economic situation are some of the major factors contributing to declining food production (Onduru et al., 1999). Soils in the semiarid areas generally have low organic matter and total nitrogen contents because of low biomass production and a high rate of decomposition (Mokwunye et al., 1996). Also in many places of the semi-arid areas, nitrogen and phosphorus are limiting. The soils also have low-activity clay, and thus low capacity to fix added phosphorus. This implies that the phosphorus requirement for obtaining maximum yields is often low (Bationo and Mokwunyu, 1991; Osiname, 1979).
Integrated nutrient management to attain sustainable productivity increase in East African farming system: Smallholder Farming and Rural Livelihoods in Ngaita Village, Kiambaa Division Kiambu District Kenya: A Baseline Survey Report
(Ministry Of Agriculture, 2004) Gachimbi, L.N.; Gachini, G.N.; Onduru, D.D.; Maina, F.; Muchena, F.N.; De Jager, A.; Kenya Agricultural Research Institute; Kenya Agricultural Research Institute
Agricultural production among the smallholder farmers of Kiambu District, Centre Kenya Highlands is increasingly being threatened by declining soil fertility. Population growth, increasing land scarcity and inappropriate land use practices are seen as the main factors explaining why soils are coming under pressure in many parts~ of sub-saharan Africa (Scoones and Toulmil1, 1999). Evidence Of field studies in the highlands of Kenya! has shown that soil fertility is declining and at the dimension of the problem varies with biophysical, socio-economic and institutional factors Addressing this seemingly bleak scenario Calls for adoption of of all encompassing strategy of managing the widest variety of possible sources of fertility in the most efficient Way as well developing practical technologies applicable to farmers.
Kari Narp 11 Project Preparation Report 1995
(Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, 1995) Abate, A.N.; Cheruiyot, H.K.; Kimani, L.W.; Kiome, R.M.; Hinga, G.; Madumadu, G.G.; Mailu, A.M.; Matata, J.B.W.; Mbabu, A. ; Muchena, F.N.; Mulandi, J.C.; Mulandi, J.C.; Ngundo, B.W.; Wandera, J.K.; Oketch, A.G.O.; Kamau, C.R.; Kenya Agricultural Research Institute; ODA; Rockfeller Foundation; World Bank; Royal Netherlands Embassy; USAID
Although most sectors of Kenya's economy have developed considerably over the last fewd ecades, the agricultural sector still remains the mainstay of Kenya's economy. Kenya still relies heavily on the agricultural sector- for generation of income, employment, foreign exchange earnings and the provision of raw materials for the industrial sector. The priority of Kenya's agricultural policy is to achieve internal self sufficiency in food supply, to maintain adequate levels of strategic food reserves and to generate a surplus of .crop and livestock produce for export. In 1990 the sector accounted for 28.2% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). It employs over 70% of the rural workforce and generates about 64% of export earnings. Between 1985 and 1990 agriculture grew at an average rate of 4.1 % per annum but stagnated at 2% in 1992 and 1993 (GoK, 1994). Given major constraints posed by rapid human population increases and scarcity of arable land, accelerated agricultural growth can only be achieved by increasing the productivity of the fixed land base. The growth requires development of production incentives, services and institutions needed to encourage innovation and investment.
Kenya Agricultural Research Institute - A Task Force Report on National Agricultural Research Centre Muguga, 1990
(Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, 1990) Kenya Agricultural Research Institute; Muchena, F.N.; Woie, B.M.; Kiplagat, J.K.B.; Muriithi, C.N.; Kenya Agricultural Research Institute
The productivity of Kenya's agricultural sector depends on the application of scientific knowledge in generating improved technologies and in effectively applying them to the production System. It is on the basis of these technologies that research and the extension services design and disseminate the necessary advice and production packages for farmers. After the collapse of the East African Community (EAC) in 1977, it became necessary to create the National Council for Science and Technology (NCST) through on Act of Parliament, to advice the government on matters pertaining to Science and Technology. One of the first crucial task to face the NCST was to advice the government on the future of the scientific institutions affected by the collapse of the EAC. The NCST advice to establish semi- autonomous statutory research institutes was lauded as the most promising option for strengthening scientific research institutions in Kenya. Consequently the Science and Technology (Amendment) Act, 1979 gave Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) its legal status. In the process of implementing the Act, plans to integrate the former East African Community research activities coordinated from Muguga with those of the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) and those of Ministry of Livestock Development(MLD) did not materialize immediately. Consequently activities of the envisaged broad-based KARI became confined to the operational and administrative set up at Muguga. However, due to inadequate coordination, the productivity of the National Agricultural Research system continued to decline. The system was therefore reorganized by merging the Scientific divisions of MOA and MLD with KARI Muguga to create a new KARI with a major effort in agricultural and livestock research to meet the objectives of the National Food Policy as outlined in the Session Paper No.1 of 1986. It was against this background that the National Agricultural Research Project (NARP) document was written in order to rationalize KARI's research programmes and assign responsibilities.
Land Utilization Types of the Makueni Area 1979
(Ministry Of Agriculture, 1979) Ministry of Agriculture; Achieng , N.J.M.; Muchena, F.N.; Ministry of Agriculture
The reconnaissance soil surveys, in which Ke!l\Ya Soil Survey is engaged, are carried out as systematic inventories of the soil and land characteristics to serve multi-purpose land use planning. A required intermediate step between soil surveys and land use planning is land evaluation.
Ministry of Agriculture National Agricultural Fertilizer use Project (Phase 1): Final Report Annex III Description of the first priority sites in the various Districts Vol 4 Siaya
(Ministry of Agriculture, 1987) Hinga, G.; Nandwa, S.W.; Onyango, J.W.; Muchena, F.N.; Gachene, C.K.K.; Kibe, J.M.; Qureshi, J.N.; Oduor, P.O.S.; Owuor, J.O.; Milikau, R.L.; Wamae, D.K.; Mwangi, B.; Wataka, S.; Ministry of Agriculture
The annual average rainfall of Siaya District increases from 800 mm at the lake shore to 2000 mm near the border of Kakamega District. The contrasts in 66% rainfall reliability, i.e. amounts surpassed in 20 out of 30 years, are even higher, in the first rains from 350 to 900 mm and in the second rains from 50 to 800 mm (see Maps 4.0.1 and 4.0.2). Near Lake Victoria the average annual temperature is about 22.5°C, in the nor~h-eastern part of the District it is 21°C . Humidity of the air is relatively high. For the entire District evaporation is 1800 - 2000 mm per year.
Ministry of Agriculture National Agricultural Fertilizer use Report (Phase 1): Final Report Annex III Description of the first priority sites in the various Districts Vol 1 Kakamega
(Ministry of Agriculture, 1987) Hinga, G.; Nandwa, S.W.; Onyango, J.W.; Muchena, F.N.; Gachene, C.K.K.; Kibe, J.M.; Qureshi, J. N.; Oduor, P.O.S.; Owuor, J.O.; Milikau, R.L.; Wamae, D.K.; Mwangi, B.,; Wataka, S.; Ministry of Agriculture
Annual rainfall in the District is both high, averaging 1200 to 2100 mm, and, apart from the north-eastern parts, reliable. In 20 out of 30 years 500 to 1100 mm are reached or surpassed in the first rains, 450 to 850 mm during the second rains. In the centre of the District rainy seasons cannot easily be distinguished, since there are normally no real dry seasons separating them (see Figure 7.3.5). First rains start at about the middle of February with a second increase in August followed by a third in October/November.
Ministry of Agriculture National Agricultural Laboratories use recommendation project (phase I), Annex III: Description of the first priority sites in the various Districts Vol 25 Meru district
(Ministry of Agriculture, 1987) Hinga, G.; Nandwa, S.W.; Onyango, J.W.; Muchena, F.N.; Gachene, C.K.K.; Kibe, J.M; Qureshi, J.N.; Oduor, P.O.S.; Owuor, J.O.; Milikau, R.L.; Wamae, D.K.; Mwangi, B.; Wataka, S.; Ministry of Agriculture
The Meru District is situated around the eastern slopes of Mt. Kenya. In the south-eastern region, the main agro-ecological zones follow - according to altitude - a similar pattern as in the bordering Embu District. However, the contrast between wet and dry seasons becomes more accentuated . This is reflected in the sequence of sub-zones (see Map 25.3) and in the rainfall diagrams for the various trial sites in Meru (Figutes 25.1.5 , 25.2.5 and 25.3 . 5) . For this reason, the cultivation of permanent and annual crops, such as coffee, tea, bananas and cotton, requires in most areas careful water and soil conservation to overcome the drought periods between the seasons. Such conservation measures are also beneficial for the seasonal crops , since the rainy seasons bring rainfall, though very high.
National Agricultural Laboratories fertilizer use Research Project (Phase I): Final Report Annex III: Description of the First Priority Sites in the Various Districts Vol 26 Machakos District No.26
(Ministry of Agriculture, 1987) Hinga, G.; Nandwa, S.W.; Onyango, J.W.; Muchena, F.N.; Gachene, C.K.K.; Qureshi, J.N.; Oduor, P.O.S.; Owuor, J.O.; Milikau, R.L.; Wamae, D.K.; Mwangi, B.,; Wataka, S.; Kibe, J.M.; Ministry of Agriculture; Kibe, J.
The centre of Machakos District consists mainly of hills and small plateaus, rising to 1800-2100 m, surrounded by a large plateau, elevated to about 1700 m in the west and sloping down to 700 m in the south-east. This undulating peneplain is broken by isolated mountains such as 01 Donyo Sabuk in the north-west, by the volcanic outflow of the Yatta Plateau in the east, and by a range of volcanic ashes, the Chyulu Hills in the south-west
Occurrence Utilization And Research Activities On Veertisoils In Kenya.
(1980) Chweya, J.A.; Kenya Soil Survey; Muchena, F.N.; Mochoge, B.O.
Veertisoils and associated soils in Kenya occupy approximately 2.8 million hectares of land. This is equivalent to 4.9% of the total land area. Of this, 14% is found in relatively humid areas while 86% is in semi-arid to arid regions of the country. These soils are commonly referred to as "black cotton soils" or black cracking clay soils". They occur from the sea level to altitudes above 2,000 meters and are scattered allover the country as shown in Figure 1. Veertisoils occur extensively in the Athi plains around Nairobi, Kano plains, Mwea Irrigation Schemes, Masai-Mara, Loita Plains and parts of North Eastern Kenya.
A Preliminary Investigation of the Soil Resources of Kiteta Location Machakos District, 1978
(Ministry of Agriculture, 1978) Muchena, F.N.; Njoroge, C.R.K.; Ministry of Agriculture
This report deals with a site evaluation of Kiteta Location, Maohakos District which was carried out during the second half of August 1977. The surveyed area comprises about 8,285 hectares. The various landforms and associated soils are indicated on the accompanying Boil map at scale 1:50,000. In chapter 3 the various mapping units are described. Then in chapter 4 the land is evaluated for irrigated agriculture surface irriga- tion and overhead irrigation. The evaluation is based on the assumption that good-quality irrigation water is available. The suitability classes of the various mapping units are indicated in Table 3. Some conclusions and findings of the site evaluation are outlined in chapter 5.
A Preliminary Investigation Of The Soils Of Part Of Kenya Meat Training Center Athi river Machakos No. 40 1978
(Ministry of Agriculture, 1978) Muchena, F.N.; Mugai, E.N.K.
On a request received through the Scientific Research Division, a site evaluation of the soils of the Kenya Meat Training Centre was carried on 15th of September, 1978. The soil investigation was in relation to the suitability of the area for horticultural crops under irrigation. The survey area is situated north of Athi river town and west of the factory of the Kenya Meat Commission. It is approximately intersected by longitude 360 59' E and latitude 10 26.5' S. The bulk of the surveyed area lies west of the buildings of the Kenya Meat Training Centre.
Proposed Criteria for Land Suitability Classification for Irrigation
(Ministry Of Agriculture, 1981) Muchena, F.N.; Ministry of Agriculture; Ministry of Agriculture
The land classification system of the Bureau of Reclamation of the U.S. Department of the Interior has been developed to guide formulation and plans for irrigation projects. This system has been adopted in many countries for the classification of irrigated land use. Hot fever, under Kenyan conditions ~where certain economic data are not available, the system cannot be applied directly. Modifications have to be made to allow for the different conditions. Thus it is proposed that for land suitability classification in Kenya a criteria be established. This criteria should however draw on experiences gained in irrigated agriculture from different parts of the world.
Semi- Detailed Soil Survey of the Proposed Bura East Irrigation Settlement Scheme 1981
(Ministry of Agriculture, 1981) Ministry of Agriculture; Muchena, F.N.; van der Pouw, B.J.A.; Ministry of Agriculture; National Agricultural Laboratories
The present soil survey is the third of the Kenya Soil Survey series of semi - detailed soil surveys. The report describes the soil conditions of the proposed Bura East Irrigation Settlement Scheme and gives an evaluation of the suitability of the soils in the area for irrigated agriculture. The primary concern has been to examine the physical and chemical conditions of the soils in the area as much as the scale of mapping (1:20,000) could allow. Special emphasis was laid on those soil properties that could influence the irrigability of these soils. An ample description of the methods employed is given in this report. Chapter 4 gives a comprehensive description of the morphological, physical and chemical characteristics of the soils. It is shown in this report that the soils have developed on the same parent material but they differ widely in calcareousness, salinity and sodicity. The deep subsoils have low structure stability under wet conditions. This, together with high salinity and sodicity are considered as the major limitations of these soils for irrigated agriculture.
Soil Survey and Land Evaluation in Kenya
(Kenya Soil Survey, 1977) Muchena, F.N.; Van de WEG, R.F.
The development of soil survey in Kenya and the kinds of survey carried out are outlined. Land evaluation for national, provincial and district land use planning closely follows the FAO Framework for Land Evaluation and is at present based mainly on reconnaissance soil surveys.

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