Browsing by Author "Njarui, D.M.G."
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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 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 Milk Yield of Dairy Cattle Fed Common Urochloa Grass in Kenya(University of Kentucky., 2021) Muinga, R.W.; Njunie, M.N.; Gatheru, M.; Njarui, D.M.G.; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research OrganizationUrochloa grass mainly grown in South America, East Asia and Australia has its origin in East and Central Africa. Its success in South America for animal production triggered interest in Kenya where the main forage species Napier grass was threatened by head smut and stunt diseases. Therefore, a study was carried out at Mtwapa research station in the coastal lowlands of Kenya under controlled condition to compare the lactation performance of dairy cattle fed on Urochloa hybrid cv. Mulato II, U. decumbens cv. Basilisk, U. brizantha cvs. Piata, MG-4 and Xaraes with Napier grass. An on-farm participatory study was conducted in eastern midlands of Kenya where farmers compared their local feeds (varied mixtures of Napier grass, maize stover and natural pastures) with either Piata, Xaraes, MG-4 or Basilisk). Results from the on-station experiment showed no significant differences (P< 0.05) in daily milk yield between dairy cows fed Piata (4.7 kg) and those fed on Napier grass (4.6 kg) while cows fed on either Mulato II or Xaraes produced less (P< 0.05) milk; 4.4 and 3.6 kg respectively. In the farmers’ trial, milk yield increased by 15-40% when they fed their cows on Urochloa grasses. The studies concluded that Urochloa grasses had potential to replace or compliment Napier grass in dairy feeding in Kenya towards increased milk production.Item Productivity and Nutritive Value of Urochloa Grass Cultivars in Semi-Arid Tropical Kenya(UKnowledge, 2021-10-17) Njarui, D.M.G.; Gatheru, M.; Kenya Agricultural & Livestock Research Organization (KALRO)There is increasing demand for high yielding and nutritious forages to meet the growing dairy farming in semi-arid Kenya. The productivity and nutritive value of seven Urochloa grass cultivars (Urochloa decumbens cv. Basilisk, U. brizantha cvs. Marandu, MG4, Piatá and Xaraes, U. humidicola cv. Llanero and U. hybrid cv. Mulato II) were evaluated in two diverse semi-arid environments, Katumani and Ithookwe in Kenya. At Katumani, the dry matter (DM) yield (5000-7500 kg/ha) was highest during the first harvest during the long rains (LR) 2014 season. Dry matter yield declined progressively with season and in the third season (LR 2015) only Xaraes achieved over 2000 kg/ha. All Urochloa cultivars died and no yield was recorded after the third harvesting season (LR 2015) due to prolonged dry season. At Ithookwe, all plants survived during the period of evaluation. Generally the DM yield was highest (4200–9200 kg/ha) in the second harvesting season during short rains (SR) 2014 with Llanero having the highest yield and Mulato II the lowest. Significant differences (P< 0.05) in forage quality was recorded in calcium, phosphorus, ash, neutral detergent fibres (NDF) and lignin content. However, none of the cultivars consistently contained more than the other cultivars in all the forage quality parameters analysed. The cv. Xaraes had the highest calcium content and Marandu had the lowest while MG-4 contained the highest phosphorus and Basilisk the lowest. Mulato II contained the highest crude protein and lowest NDF. The study revealed that Urochloa could increase forage resources in the semi-arid regions of Kenya where annual rainfall exceed 700 mm without prolonged dry season.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.
