Browsing by Author "Mwangi, D. M."
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Item Cost Of Milk Production in Kenya: Estimates from Kiambu, Nakuru and Nyandarua Districts - Smallholder Dairy Project(Kenya Agriculture Research Institute, 2003) Staal, S. J.; Waithaka, M.; Njoroge, L.; Mwangi, D. M.; Njubi, D.; Wokabi, A.; Kenya Agricultural Research InstituteThe studies reported here were carried out by the Smallholder Dairy (R&D) Project (SDP) in response to the needs of Kenya dairy industry stakeholders for more reliable estimates of the costs of milk production in the country. These estimates are important for policy makers, development planners and donors when making decisions related to investment in dairy development compared to other enterprises, and for the design of policies to support smallholder dairy development. Moreover, significant falls in producer milk prices observed in early 2002 led to complaints from dairy farmers and wide media coverage, which further justified an investigation into the costs of milk production.Item Integrating Scientific and Farmers' Evaluation of Water Harvesting and Soil Fertility Technologies on Sorghum Productivity in Eastern Kenya(2013) Mwangi, D. M.; Muriithi, F.; Kimani, S. K.; Mahasi, M.; Mugwe, J.; Mutea, K.; Miriti, J.; Njeru, P.N.M.; Miruka, M.; Mucheru-Muna, M.; Maina, I.; Amboga, S.; Gitari, J; Lekasi, J. K.Soil fertility degradation remains the major biophysical cause of declining per capita crop production on smallholder farms in Kenya highlands. A study was conducted to compare farmers' perception and biophysical data on selected water harvesting and integrated soil fertility management technologies on sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) production in Central highlands of Kenya. The treatments were 3 levels of water harvesting (Tied ridges, contour furrows and conventional tillage) 3 cropping systems (Sole sorghum and Sorghum and cowpea intercrop and 6 levels of soil fertility amendment options (control, 40 Kg P/ha + 40Kg N/ha, 40 Kg P/ha + 20 Kg N/ha, 40 Kg P/ha + 40Kg N/ha + manure 5 t/ha, 40 Kg P/ha + 20 Kg N/ha + manure 2.5 t/ha and manure 5t/ha. One hundred seventeen smallholder farmers were invited to evaluate crops based on their performance and grain yields. Thirty six plots laid out in partially balanced incomplete block design (PBIDD) replicated three times. The results show that treatments that ranked top on the scale of 'good' had external soil amendment regardless of water harvesting and cropping systems. The treatment which was ranked best was farmers practice under sorghum alone plus external soil amendment of 40 kg P/ha + 20 kg N/ha with (69.1 %) respondent with grain yield of (3.5t/ha). This was closely followed by tied ridges and contour furrows rankings ranging from 68.3% to 68.8% respondent under sorghum alone, plus external soil fertility amendment options. Generally, the poorest ranked treatment and low yielding were experiment control. The results further showed that there was no significant difference between treatment scoring by gender (P~.05) on the scale of good, fair and poor. Therefore, integration minimal addition of organic and inorganic inputs on highly valued traditional with adequate rainfall under normal farmers practice in semi-arid lands could be considered as an alternative option contribution to food security in central highland of Kenya
