Browsing by Author "Murage, A.W."
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Item Accelerate Scaling up Forage Intensification Using Novel Digital Extension Approach in Kenya(UKnowedge, 2021) Njarui, D.M.G.; Gatheru, M.; Ndubi, J.M.; Murage, A.W.; Gichangi, A.W.; Gichangi, E.M.; Nogothu, U.S.; Kenya Agricultural & Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) ; The Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy ResearchWide scale adoption of diverse forages improves livestock productivity and farmers welfare. However, limited access to information and knowledge on forage production results in slow adoption in Kenya. There is need to enhance information and knowledge exchange among farming communities for efficient and effective adoption and decision-making. An inter-institutional pilot project was initiated in 2017 to scale-up forages in Kenya using a novel extension approach - the village knowledge centre (VKC). A VKC is an information and communication technology (ICT) digital platform-based linking farmers through smart phones and social media as a conduit for faster and effective information and knowledge. This paper shares the experiences of VKC intervention to scale up Urochloa grass technology among smallholder farmers for livestock productivity. Through the VKC support there has been increased access of information and knowledge on Urochloa grass management, conservation and livestock feeding. Approximately 702 farmers out of which 28% were women visited the VKC to seek information on Urochloa grass from May 2018 to May 2020. It has trained 22 lead farmers on the establishment and management of Urochloa grass. The VKC has created two WhatsApp groups for networking among farmers with over 330 members. Between September 2018 and May 2020, the groups shared 2550 messages on Urochloa management, conservation, and livestock feeding with other farmers in their communities. Additionally, the VKC has improved availability of Urochloa grass seeds to farmers. Over 530 farmers received the seeds through the VKC, while 500 made request though mobile phone Short Message Services (SMS) and were supplied using courier services. It was evident that VKC intervention has not only improved the adoption rate, but also led to increased forage productivity and higher income for farmers. There is a need to continue using tools such as the VKC in the dissemination of information on Urochloa grass and explore suitable funding for sustainability of the centre after the end of the project.Item Efficiency and Effectiveness of Dissemination Pathways; A case Study of Push-Pull Technology for Stemborers and Striga Weeds Control in Western Kenya(Murage, A.W. , 2011) Murage, A.W.Food security in Kenya is potentially challenged by increased infestation of maize fields by cereal stem borers (mainly Chilo partellus Swinhoe and Busseola fusca Hiller) and parasitic Striga weeds (mainly Striga hermonthica (Del.) Benth. and Striga asiatica (L.) Kuntze). The conventional control measures for these pests have had limited acceptance by smallholder farmers in the region due to various socio-economic and environmental effects. The 'push-pull' technology (PPT), developed by the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) together with other collaborators, has been well evaluated by smallholder farmers as an effective method for controlling the two pests. However, this technology is relatively knowledge intensive, thus realization of maximum adoption will depend on how well-trained farmers are, via effective and efficient dissemination pathways. The information on efficiency and effectiveness of dissemination pathways is scanty in literature. This study therefore sought to fill this gap in order to proffer better targeting of resources in an efficient dissemination strategy. Both primary and secondary data were used in this evaluation. A total of 491 randomly selected respondents from Homabay, Kisii, Busia and Bungoma districts were interviewed, and secondary data were obtained from project records in ICIPE-Mbita. Data were analysed using: a weighted score index; an ordered probit model for pathway preference ranking; a two limit tobit for pathways' effects on adoption; a duration model for pathways' effects on the speed of adoption; and Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) for efficiency analysis. The results from the weighted score index show that field days (FD) were the most preferred dissemination pathway, followed by farmer field schools (FFS) and farmer teachers (FT). The tobit and duration model results show that FD had the highest impact on the level and intensity, and the speed of adoption, respectively, whereas the DEA results show that FD was relatively more efficient compared to FFS and FT in the short run; but in the long run, FTs were more efficient. Considering that the pathways are not mutually exclusive, it is imperative to account for the complimentary roles of the various pathways in strengthening the uptake of PPT technology. The dissemination pathways would be more effective if the target population is well segmented and appropriate pathways utilised for the various farmer segments. The findings of this study contribute to the framework for lCIPE and other research institutions to examine both their human and financial strategies in order to invest in dissemination strategies that are relevant, efficient and effectiveItem Forage Diversity and Fertilizer Adoption in Napier Grass Production Among Smallholder Dairy Farmers in Kenya(Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development in the Tropics and Subtropics, 2021) Njarui, D.M.G.; Gatheru, M.; Ndubi, J.M.; Gichangi, A.W.; Murage, A.W.; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research OrganizationFeed scarcity is one of the major challenges affecting smallholder dairy production in Kenya. Forages are the foundation of livestock nutritional requirements; forage diversification and fertiliser are intensification options that can increase productivity. A sample of 316 and 313 smallholder farmers were surveyed in eastern midlands and central highlands of Kenya, respectively, to establish the types of forages cultivated and the factors that influence fertiliser adoption in Napier grass (Cenchrus purpureus Schumach.) production. Independent t-tests were applied to compare the effect of continuous variables on social economic and institutional characteristics between adopters and non-adopters on fertiliser and area allocated to different forages. Chi-square tests were used to compare nominal variables for the proportion of farmers growing different forages, criteria they consider in selection of suitable forages, and social economic and institutional characteristics of adopters and non-adopters of fertiliser. Binary logistic regression was used to determine factors that influence fertiliser adoption. The study revealed that forage diversification was low with Napier grass being the only forage cultivated by most farmers (~ 90%). Urochloa (Urochloa spp), Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana Kunth.) and Guinea grass (Megathyrsus maximus Jaq.) were cultivated by less than 11% of farmers. The fertiliser adoption rate was high (77%) and was influenced by gender of household head, membership of groups, access to extension services and labour. Future research should focus on promoting of forage diversification and investigate quantity and fertiliser application regimes in order to enable development of appropriate advisory services.Item Impacts of Climate-Resilient Push–Pull Technology on Farmers’ Income in Selected Counties in Kenya and Tanzania: Propensity Score Matching Approach(Springer, 2023-06-08) Ouya, F.O.; Murage, A.W.; Pittchar, J.O.; Chidawanyika, F.; Pickett, J.A.; Khan, Z.R.Background. Agricultural research and technology adoption play a key role in improving productivity and therefore generate impact on household livelihoods. The push–pull technology developed by the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology and collaborators/partners has been recognized for its multiple roles in productivity improvement and income generation. However, the subsequent impacts after its adaptation to drier agro-ecologies have not been ascertained. An ex-post study was conducted to evaluate the impact of the climate-resilient push–pull technology on farmers’ income. Methodology. This study was conducted in eight counties in Kenya and Mara region in Tanzania, involving 486 farmers; half were climate-resilient push–pull technology adopters. The study adopted the propensity score matching (PSM) technique in order to correct the self-selection bias in adoption. Results. From the results, education of the farmer, household size, Tropical Livestock Unit and group membership positively and significantly influenced adoption. The average treatment effect on the treated was positive for all the matching methods; USD 455.8 for Nearest Neighbor Matching, USD 474.2 for the Kernel Matching and USD 439.1 for the Radius/Caliper Matching. The balancing test for self-selection bias showed that none of the observed covariates was significant after matching. The results demonstrate that adopting climate-resilient push–pull technology has a positive impact on the adopter farmers’ income. Adopter farmers were able to earn much more in terms of gross margin. Conclusion. The positive change in income for adopters was attributable to the technology. With increased incomes, farmers were able to access alternative foodstuff, hence had more food security and diversity than those without. Efforts to expand dissemination and adoption of climate resilient push–pull technology will have positive impacts on adopting families and hence to the economy.Item Status and Factors Influencing Access to Extension and Advisory Services on Forage Production in Kenya(Asian Journal of Agricultural Extension, Economics & Sociology, 2021-04-26) Gatheru, M.; Njarui, D.M.G.; Gichangi, E.; Ndubi, J.M.; Murage, A.W.; Gichangi, A.W.; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research OrganizationThis study assessed the status and factors influencing access of extension and advisory services (EAS) for forage production among smallholder dairy farmers in Kenya. Using a multistage stratified random sampling, data were collected from 316 and 313 farmers in Kangundo sub-County and Kirinyaga Counties of Kenya, respectively. The intensity of dairy farming formed the basis of selection of the study areas. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression model. Results indicated that, overall the proportion of farmers who accessed EAS on forage production in Kirinyaga (26.4%) was double that of Kangundo (13.6%). Government was the main provider of EAS on forage production and accounted for between 73 to 90% of services in Kangundo and 54 to 81% in Kirinyaga. The main channels for accessing EAS in both sites were trainings (29 - 31%) and field days (22 - 30%). Overall, majority of farmers (71 - 73%) were satisfied with the information and services they received on forage production. The empirical estimates of logistic regression revealed that the probability of access to EAS increased with access to credit, membership to farmer groups and importance of livestock on household’s food security. We recommend that the governments use innovative extension approaches and strengthen formation of farmer groups/organizations in order to improve access of EAS by smallholder dairy farmers for enhanced forage production.Item Use of Slurry Manure for Improvement of Soil Fertility(Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, 2024) Ayako, W.O.; Murage, A.W.; Ilatsia, E.D.; Cheruiyot, B.K.; ole Pulei, R.N.; Nyambati, E.M.; Kanageni; Saitoti, S.; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO)Slurry manure is a mixture of fresh cow dung and urine and is used by farmers as a natural fertilizer. It is produced in more intensive livestock rearing systems where concrete and slats are used, instead of straw as bedding materials (Zero-gazing, intensive pig sty and poultry battery cage). It is applied to crops in fresh form mainly to improve soil fertility for better crop yields. The slurry manure is collected daily from cow sheds and stored in a pit / lagoon to minimize nutrient loss through (evaporation). A well-constructed zero-grazing unit with concrete dunging floor makes is possible to collect good quality slurry manure. It is suitable in small, medium and large scale dairy farms. The average nutrient composition of slurry by percentage is dry matter 9%, nitrogen 0.44%, phosphorous 0.8 %, potassium 0.46 % and ash 5%.
