Browsing by Author "Mwathi, J.W."
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Item Kalro-Kcep - CRAL Climate Smart Agriculture Extension Manual(Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization., 2019-04) Kisilu, R.; Karanja, J.K.; Mwathi, J.W.; Ooro, P.A.; Esilaba, A.O.; Nyongesa, D.; Okoti, M.; Githunguri, C.; Miriti, J.; Otipa, M.; Nassiuma, E.; Too, A.; Kamidi, M.; Wanjekeche, E.; Odoyo, E.; Wayua, F.; Likhayo, P.; Kamau, G.M.; Ochieng, V.; Wasilwa, L.; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research OrganizationClimate change is real and has become an obstacle to sustainable development all over the world. Climate change has positive and negative effects in agriculture depending on the regions of the world. The negative impacts are expected to be more serious in developing countries, particularly those in sub-Saharan Africa such as Kenya. For instance, Kenya has experienced increasing temperatures from 1960’s, together with higher frequency and intensity of extreme weather events such as El Niño and La Niña. Effects of the negative impacts include declining agricultural productivity and loss of crops, livestock, fish and investments in agriculture due to changing temperatures and rainfall and many extreme weather events.Item KALRO-KCEP - CRAL Common Dry Beans Extension Manual(Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization., 2016-04) Macharia, D.; Waithaka, M.; Esilaba, A.O.; Nyongesa, D.; Okoti, M.; Githunguri, C.; Miriti, J.; Otipa, M.; Too, A.; Bett, B.; Gathambiri, C.; Amata, R.; Nassiuma, E.; Odoyo, E.; Wayua, F.; Karanja, J.K.; Mwathi, J.W.; Likhayo, P.; Ooro, P.A.; Ochieng, V.; Wasilwa, L.; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research OrganizationPulses, or grain legumes in general, are an essential source of supplementary protein to daily diets based on cereals and starchy for a predominantly vegetarian population and those who cannot afford expensive animal protein. Pulses are therefore often regarded as poor man’s meat”. They also provide energy, protein, essential minerals, vitamins and several compounds considered beneficial for good health. Their cultivation enriches soil by adding nitrogen, and improves the physical, chemical and biological soil properties. They are also well suited to diverse environments and fit in various cropping systems owing to their wide adaptability, low input requirements, fast growth, nitrogen fixing and weed smothering ability. Their short growing period and photoperiod sensitivity make them suitable for crop intensification and diversification. Notwithstanding their high production potential, their productivity is generally low as these are cultivated on poor lands, with no or little inputs, and are susceptible to several abiotic and biotic stresses.Item KALRO-KCEP Climate Smart Agriculture Training and Extension Manual(Kenya Agricultural & Livestock Research Organization (KALRO)., 2016-04) Okoti, M.; Esilaba, A.O.; Ketiem, P.K.; Mutoko, C.; Kimani, S.; Mwathi, J.W.; Githunguri, C.; Nyongesa, D.; Miriti, J.; Nassiuma, E.; Gitari, J.; Ooro, P.A.; Murage, P.M.; Murage, P.M.; Koech, M.; Thuranira, E.; Ashiono, G.; Rono, B.; Kamau, G.; Njaimwe, A.; Gachuki, P.; Maina, I.; Masinde, W.; Macharia, D.; Waithaka, M.; Barkutwo, J.; Mwenda, M.; Ringera, J.M.; Onyango, E.M.; Karanja, J.; Kamidi, M.; Wanjekeche, E.; Woyengo, V.; Odendo, M.; Kipkemoi, P.L.; Magiroi, K.N.; Mwangi, H.; Chebosonwy, R.; Macharia, M.; Wanyonyi, M.; Kenya Agricultural & Livestock Research Organization (KALRO)A significant variation either in the mean state of the climate or its variability, persisting for a period not less than 30 years. Climate change and variability is attributed to both natural and man-made induced causes. In the last 2 decades, causes attributed directly or indirectly to human activity have significantly altered the climate system through the greenhouse gas emissions. It is now evident that the globe is warming and the mean surface temperature has tremendously increased.Item KALRO-KCEP Farming as Business Training and Extension Manual(Kenya Agricultural & Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), 2016-04) Rono, B.; Nyongesa, D.; Esilaba, A.O.; Masinde, W.; Mutoko, C.; Mwenda, M.; Waithaka, M.; Mwathi, J.W.; Githunguri, C.; Okoti, M.; Nassiuma, E.; Miriti, J.; Maina, I.; Ketiem, P.K.; Kamidi, M.; Wanjekeche, E.; Woyengo, V.; Odendo, M.; Kipkemoi, P.L.; Magiroi, K.N.; Mwangi, H.; Chebosonwy, R.; Macharia, M.; Wanyonyi, M.; Gitari, J.; Ooro, P.A.; Murage, P.M.; Koech, M.; Thuranira, E.; Ashiono, G.; Kamau, G.; Njaimwe, A.; Gachuki, P.; Macharia, D.; Barkutwo, J.; Ringera, J.M.; Onyango, E.M.; Karanja, J.; Kenya Agricultural & Livestock Research OrganizationMost farmers are subsistence oriented and mainly strive to produce food for their households only. However, farmers play a great role, including contributing to food and nutrition security and generating income for their household needs. There is therefore a great need to empower farmers increased participation in embracing farming as a business. A business is viewed as a commercial activity, which operates with the intention of making a profit, by provision of services or commodities to meet needs and wants of customers. This requires changing the mind-set of most farmers from producing only for subsistence use to becoming commercially oriented.Item KALRO-KCEP Soil Fertility Management Training and Extension Manual(Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, 2016-04) Miriti, J.; Nassiuma, E.; Gitari, J.; Murage, P.M.; Koech, M.; Thuranira, E.; Ashiono, G.; Esilaba, A.O.; Mwathi, J.W.; Nyongesa, D.; Githunguri, C.; Okoti, M.; Rono, B.; Ketiem, P.K.; Kimani, S.; Kamau, G.; Njaimwe, A.; Gachuki, P.; Maina, I.; Mutoko, C.; Masinde, W.; Macharia, D.; Waithaka, M.; Barkutwo, J.; Mwenda, M.; Ringera, J.M.; Ooro, P.A.; Onyango, E.M.; Karanja, J.; Kamidi, M.; Wanjekeche, E.; Woyengo, V.; Odendo, M.; Kipkemoi, P.L.; Magiroi, K.N.; Mwangi, H.; Chebosonwy, R.; Macharia, M.; Wanyonyi, M.Soil is composed of mineral particles, weathering products of the parent material, and organic matter, (e.g. residues from plants and animals), air and soil water. The solid particles are categorized size into: gravel and stones (>2 mm in diameter), sand (2.0 to 0.02 mm), silt (0.02 to 0.002 mm) and clay (< 0.002 mm). Soil properties are dependent on the relative composition and arrangement of soil particles.l texture is the relative proportions of sand, silt and clay contained in a soil. Soils are described as sands, sandy loams, loams, clay loams, clays depending on their texture.Item KCEP - CRAL Green Grams Extension Manual(Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, 2019-04) Macharia, D.; Waithaka, M.; Otipa, M.; Nassiuma, E.; Esilaba, A.O.; Nyongesa, D.; Okoti, M.; Githunguri, C.; Miriti, J.; Too, A.; Bett, B.; Gathambiri, C.; Amata, R.; Odoyo, E.; Wayua, F.; Karanja, J.K.; Mwathi, J.W.; Likhayo, P.; Ooro, P.A.; Kamau, G.M.; Ochieng, V.; Wasilwa, L.; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research OrganizationPulses, or grain legumes in general, are an essential source of supplementary protein. They also provide energy, protein, essential minerals, vitamins and several compounds considered beneficial for good health. Their cultivation enriches soil by adding nitrogen, and improves the physical, chemical and biological soil properties. They are also well suited to diverse environments and fit in various cropping systems owing to their wide adaptability, low input requirements, fast growth, nitrogen fixing and weed smothering ability. Their short growing period and photoperiod sensitivity make them suitable for crop intensification and diversification. Not withstanding their high production potential, their productivity is generally low as these are cultivated on poor lands, with no or little inputs, and are susceptible to several abiotic and biotic stresses.Green gram (Vigna radiata L.) also known as Mung bean and in Kiswahili Ndengu is one of the potential food and cash crop pulses that have been observed to perform well in the arid regions of Kenya. The crop is commonly grown in central, south Nyanza, eastern and coastal regions. Its edible grain is characterized by good digestibility, flavor, high and easily digestible protein content and absence of any flatulence effects (Ahmed et al., 2001). Its seed contains contain approximately 374Kcal, 23.9% protein, 1.2% fat, 16.3% dietary fiber, 4.5-5.5% ash, 63% carbohydrates on dry weight basis. It’s also a crucial source of vitamins A and B complex and generous amounts of micro-nutrients such as iron and zinc which are deficient in diets among the poor, particularly pregnant women and children in Africa (Swaminathan et. al., 2012).Item KCEP - Maize Production Training and Extension Manual(Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, 2016-08) Karanja, J.K.; Mwathi, J.W.; Ooro, P.A.; Esilaba, A.O.; Nyongesa, D.; Kamidi, M.; Wanjekeche, E.; Macharia, D.; Waithaka, M.; Woyengo, V.; Barkutwo, J.; Githunguri, C.; Kamau, G.; Miriti, J.; Nassiuma, E; Masinde, W.; Mwenda, M.; Njaimwe, A.; Macharia, M.; Gitari, J.; Murage, P.M.; Koech, M.; Thuranira, E.; Ashiono, G.; Rono, B.; Ketiem, P.K.; Kimani, S.; Gachuki, P.; Wanyonyi, M.; Maina, I.; Mutoko, C.; Ringera, J.M.; Odendo, M.; Kipkemoi, P.L.; Chebosonwy, R.; Magiroi, K.N.; Mwangi, H.; Onyango, E.M.The scientific name for maize is Zea mays; but for the purpose of this manual it will be referred to as maize. This production manual is a guide on growing maize successfully in different agro-ecological areas of Kenya, in a rain fed system not under irrigation. However, many principles of agronomy are relevant to both irrigated and rainfed farming systems. Maize is a staple food in Kenya, accounting for an average production of 4.4 million tonnes for the period 2010 to 2013 (FAO, 2015). It contributes to about 65% of daily per capita cereal consumption and serves as subsistence and a commercial crop grown on an estimated 1.4 million hectares. Maize production accounts for more than 20% of the total agricultural production and 25% of agricultural employment in the country. It is an important source of carbohydrate, protein, iron, vitamin B, and minerals. Maize products include baked, roasted and boiled fresh maize on the cob, porridge, pastes, beer, starch, oil and livestock feed from by-products of fresh and dry maize grain. This manual outlines important maize-crop agronomy and provides information on the methodology and technology that farmers may be able to utilise to grow maize in Kenya. Climate change, increased human activities, pathogen and vector evolution have increased the spread of invasive pests and diseases in maize farming systems in Kenya. The country has faced severe disease and pest outbreaks that impact on the country’s food security. Heavy attacks of loses of as much as 100% have been reported due to Maize lethal necrosis disease and fall armyworm. The use of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) provides maize farmers with management options to reduce pesticides use in the management of pest and diseases. Precise and prompt pest and disease detection are vital for their prevention or management. After harvesting their crop, farmers in Kenya face challenges of poor grain handling and management, leading to 30% of post-harvest losses, translating to more than US$ 4 billion losses per annum (Hodges et al., 2011). They also market their grain at low price at harvest time forcing households to buy grains for family consumption when prices increase. Post-harvest losses lead to insufficient food supply, even when crop yields and land under cultivation have been increasing. This is partly due to lack of knowledge on appropriate methods of grain storage. This post- 11 harvest management component will support farmers in securing high returns from investments on grain production. This is through adoption of improved on-farm grain handling practices to minimize post-harvest losses and enhanced access to markets offering favourable terms. This manuals’ goal is to reduce post-harvest losses from the current estimated 30% to industry accepted levels of below 5%. This will lead to usage of certified warehouse system by farmers to bulk and sell their produce at a price 30% higher than prevailing farm gate price. systems in Kenya. The country has faced severe disease and pest outbreaks that impact on the country’s food security. Heavy attacks of loses of as much as 100% have been reported due to Maize lethal necrosis disease and fall armyworm. The use of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) provides maize farmers with management options to reduce pesticides use in the management of pest and diseases. Precise and prompt pest and disease detection are vital for their prevention or management. After harvesting their crop, farmers in Kenya face challenges of poor grain handling and management, leading to 30% of post-harvest losses, translating to more than US$ 4 billion losses per annum (Hodges et al., 2011). They also market their grain at low price at harvest time forcing households to buy grains for family consumption when prices increase. Post-harvest losses lead to insufficient food supply, even when crop yields and land under cultivation have been increasing. This is partly due to lack of knowledge on appropriate methods of grain storage. This post- 11 harvest management component will support farmers in securing high returns from investments on grain production. This is through adoption of improved on-farm grain handling practices to minimize post-harvest losses and enhanced access to markets offering favourable terms. This manuals’ goal is to reduce post-harvest losses from the current estimated 30% to industry accepted levels of below 5%. This will lead to usage of certified warehouse system by farmers to bulk and sell their produce at a price 30% higher than prevailing farm gate price.
