Browsing by Author "Wambua, S."
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Item Acidic Soils in Kenya: Constraints and Remedial Options(Kenya Agriculture Research Institute, 2002) Kanyanjua, S. M.; Ireri, L.; Wambua, S.; Nandwa, S. M.; Kenya Agricultural Research Institute; Kenya Agricultural Research InstituteAcidic soils can be identified when a soil sample is analysed in any soil laboratory. In soil laboratories within the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI), acidic soils are classified further according to severity of acidity (Table 1). Crop tolerance to acidity Different crops have various degrees of tolerance to acidity. Chillies, sweetpotatoes and irish potatoes are tolerant to acidity and can do well in soils with pH values below 5.5 (Plates 1 and 2). Most of the horticultural crops (onions, spinach, carrots, cabbages and cauliflower) do not tolerate acidity and can only grow well in soils with pH values above 6.0. Other crops like maize lie in the medium tolerance range and would do well in 5.5-6.0 pH values. Among the maize varieties, local cultivars like Githigu commonly found in central Kenya are adapted to the lower end of the tolerance range. Most of the flowers grown for export are sensitive to acidity. When crops are grown in soils with pH values below the lower limit, they give low yields and are of poorItem Challenges and Opportunities in Improved Indigenous Chicken Production in Kenya(East African Agricultural and Forestry Journal, 2024-06) Wambua, S.; Macharia, I.; Mwenjeri, G.; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization ; Kenyatta UniversityThe poultry sub-sector is vital in improving livelihoods for vulnerable members of the society in rural areas in Kenya. It is a source of cheap animal protein and income especially for youth and women. It is one of the enterprises which require low capital and land to establish. This study looked at the challenges and opportunities in production of improved indigenous chicken which perform better than the local indigenous ones due to early maturity early laying more eggs. Results indicate that chicken were mainly reared and managed by women (84%). The average age of the farmers was 51 years who had attained upper primary education level. A majority (59%) of the respondents indicated that they belonged to different group categories which aided them to access training, credit, production and marketing information, markets and inputs. The costs of feeds were cited by majority of farmers as the most pressing constraint in chicken production with some indicating that they had either scaled down or completely abandoned the enterprise especially in the last one year. Some opportunities identified in this value chain were incubation, vaccination and feed formulation services. Policy makers need to address the issue of production including feed ingredients like maize, soya bean and fish meal.
