Browsing by Author "Ndubi, J.M."
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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 Chicken Value Chain: Gender and Social Inclusion(Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), 2024) Ndubi, J.M.; Alaru, P.A.O.; Nyambati, E.M.; Mungube, E.O.; Kipkemoi, D.C.; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research OrganizationAccess to resources such as land, credit, extension and a voice in decision making are important elements to consider for improved adoption of Agricultural Technologies, Innovations and Management Practices (TIMP) by the various gender categories for improved food and nutritional security as well as poverty reduction. Although agricultural TIMPs might lead to increased production and income, there is no guarantee that more income will address the poverty, food and nutrition security situation in the household. Who has access to what resources and who dominate what decisions at household, local and national levels in relation to the use of additional income are important when considering what degree food, nutrition security and poverty will improve. If we close this gender gap by improving power relations and access to resources by the various gender categories, yields would increase by 20–30%.Item 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 Information Technology and Information Response Initiative (ATIRI): ATIRI Manual guidelines and proposal format 2000(Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, 2001) Kamau, G.M.; Karanja, G.M.; Ndubi, J.M.; Ireri, J.W.; Kimani, I.W.; Kenya Agricultural Research InstituteIn the face of declining agricultural production and rising levels of poverty and food insecurity, KARl has sought to increase its potential impact. This is through shifting much of its adaptive research on-farm and through intensifying its work with partners. The partners have become the bridges through which more farmers, particularly small scale producers, are reached. These interactions and approaches have served to heighten the relevance of KARl's research programme. They have also induced a greater responsiveness to the practical issues facing farmers, with the result that there is an increasing stock of field tested recommendations. However, coverage remains limited and relatively few of the improved methods have spread beyond the confines of communities that are the focus of intensive on-farm activities by KARl and partner organizations.Item Relevant Socio-Economic Literature In Lower Embu, February, 1995 (Dryland Applied Research and Extension Project KARI/KEFRI/NRI).(Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, 1995) Kenya Agricultural Research Institute - Regional Research Centre, Embu; Ndubi, J.M.; Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI); Natural Resource Institute (NRI); Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI)Lower Embu is inhabited by the people called the Mbeere. The Mbeere like the Meru, the Kamba, the Kikuyu and the Embu are Bantus by origin. Written history shows that the bantu's originated from Cameroon in West Africa before the year 1000. They arrived in Kenya in two main groups. The first group passed through Tanzania and on reaching Mt. Kilimanj aro, they started moving' northwards in Kenya where they later dispersed in different directions forming some of the bantu communities in Kenya. Some historians argue that some Mbeere people reached their present areas through that migration movement. The second group passed through Tanzania, then the Kenyan coast (Mombasa). From the coast, they migrated northward towards Mt. Kenya . After reaching Mt. Kenya they dispersed in different directions in search of land forming some of the 'bantu communities around'Mt.Kenya such as the Kikuyu, the Meru,the Embu the Mbeere and the Kamba.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.
