Technical reports
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Item 2nd Biannual Monitoring - Part 2: Logframes & Summary Recommendations of 1st Monitoring Visit, 1995(Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, 1995) Sutherland. J.A.; Kenya Agricultural Research Institute.Production of a simplified system for monitoring and forecasting expenditure and allocation/rationalisation of MIS codes for projectsItem 3rd Biannual KARI/ODA Monitoring Project March 1996(Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, 1996) Sutherland, J.A.; Kenya Agricultural Research InstituteThis report records the results of the third biannual monitoring visit to KARI and ODA project supported under the second phase of the National Agricultural Research Project.Item Agricultural Production and Its Constraints in Central Kenya. A case study of Kiambu District(Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, 2003) Gachimbi. L.N.; Maina. F.W.; Onduru. D.D.; Muchena, F. N.; Kenya Agricultural Reseacrh Institute; Kenya Agricultural Reseacrh InstituteKiambu District lies in the high potential area of Kenya, which constitutes 20% of total arable land. The rest of the land is either marginal or arid. These areas have been the focus for many research and extension processes and are deemed to have benefited enough to optimise agricultural production. However, the agricultural sector in Kenya, just like any other SSA countries continues to face major challenges as the engine of development especially in the face of declining per capita food production, rising levels of malnutrition and increased food insecurity over nearly three decades (Lynam et al., 1998). While the causes of this negative trend are complex, emerging evidence point to the fact that declining soil fertility, lack of robustness in addressing agricultural policy concerns and farmers' socio-economic and biophysical environment are some of the prime underlying causes for this trend (Sanchez st af, 1997; Muriuki and Qureshi, 2001; Deugd et al., 1998; Hilhorat et a/ 2000; DALEO, 2000). calls for new approaches in agricultural technology Reversing this trend development and diffusion, which take into account farmers' knowledge and biophysical and socio-economic circumstances. It is, thus apparent that there is need for new approaches to increase farmers' capacity to test new technologies in their fields, assess results and relevance of technologies to their particular circumstances and to interact with researchers and extensionists on a demand driven basis (GoK and UNDP, 2001). This calls for shift from the current top down approaches to participatory approaches for enhanced soil and farm productivity. Farmer field school is seen as one approach that can contribute substantially to bridging this gap (Braun et al., 2000). The drive towards farmer field schools has been due to the search for robust approaches to arrest declining agricultural productivity and to increase opportunities for facilitating learning at farm level. Farmer field schools are deemed important in addressing the existing cobwebs in agricultural technology development and adoption, weaknesses in research and extension linkages, low rating of farmers expert knowledge, communication gaps between scientist and farmers' and in strengthening community-based institutions. The report presents a Review Literature on Agricultural Production and its Constraints in Central Kenya with Focus in Kiambu District. It Details Agricultural Production Levels of Various Crops or Livestock Enterprises and Problems Facing Existing Systems.Item Agricultural Production and its Constraints in Central Kenya: A Case Study of Kiambu District. KARI-ETC-LEI INMASP Report(Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, 2003) Gachimbi, L. N.; Maina, F. W.; Onduru, D. D.; Muchena, F. N.; Kenya Agricultural Research InstituteKiambu District lies in the high potential area of Kenya which constitutes 20% of total arable land. The rest of the land is either, marginal or arid. The areas have been the focus for many research and extension processes and are deemed to have benefited enough to optimize agricultural production. However, the agricultural sector in Kenya, just like any other SSA countries continue to face major challenge as the engine of development especially in the face of declining per capita food production, rising level of malnutrition and increased food insecurity over nearly three decades. While the causes of this negative trend are complex, emerging evidence point to the fact that declining soil fertility, lack of rubestress in addressing agricultural policy concerns and farmers, socio-economic and biophysical, environment are some of the prime underlying causes for this trend. Reversing this trend call for new approaches in approaches in agricultural technology development and diffusion, which take into account farmers’ knowledge, biophysical and socio-economic circumstances. This report presents a review of literature on agricultural production and its constrainte in central Kenya with a focus on Kiambu District. It details agricultural production leveis of various crops or livestock enterprises and problerns facing the existing systems.Item Agricultural Research Programme 1965(ministry of Agriculture, 1965) Ministry of Agriculture; Peeler, C. H.I forward herewith a copy of the Kenya Government, Research Division, Agricultural Research Programme f or 1965.Item Agro-Economic Situation in Mnazini Lower Tana(Ministry of Agriculture, 1978) Ministry of AgricultureIt is generally known that the present level of agriculture in Mnazini Area is very low. Crops are grown rain-fed or rather flood-fed and this is hazardous enterprise. In order to improve conditions and to raise the standard of living of the population, it has been judged necessary by the Ministry of Agriculture to come to a Village Irrigation Programme for the whole Lower Tana which will also include Mnazini. Under this programme Mnazini will be endowed with an irrigation scheme. Enabling farmers to grow crops under adequate water management conditions. The aim of this paper in to provide insight in the present agro economical situation at the Mnazini farmers. For this purpose 50 farmers have been interviewed. This paper should be looked upon as a data collection and can be used as a tool for future planning.Item Analysis of Tobacco Production Systems under different Soil and Environmental Conditions in South Nyanza Region, Kenya(Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, 2008) Kenya Agricultural Research Institute; MUYA, E.M.; GACHINI, G.N.; Kenya Agricultural Research InstituteThe main objective of the soil survey was to collect the biophysical data that will assist in formulating the recommendations for improved nutrient use efficiency in tobacco growing region, Western Province. This activity was carried out as per the terms of reference between Kenya Soil Survey and BAT Company. The sites were characterized in terms of observable soil characteristics such as slope, colour, depth, texture, and compactness. These characteristics, to a certain extent, related to non-observable soil characteristics that must be determined in the laboratory. The results showed that there were both uniformity and sharp variations in soil conditions in some areas. Sharp variations in soil conditions within the same farm offered a serious challenge in giving recommendations for sustainable use of each soil mapping unit, particularly in cases where each soil unit differed with any other adjoining soil units to an extent that it would respond differently to management. In addition to this problem, steep slope, shallow soils and extremely compact soils, were found to be the major cause of land degradation, hence declining soil fertility and productivity. This result in low water use efficiency and unsustainable development. Based on these findings, the following were recommended as the way foreward: 1) Identification of appropriate biophysical indicators of sustainability to be done and used for detailed characterization of the farms. This will assist in formulating strategies for sustainable crop production. 2) Demonstration plots to be characterized in details in terms of the relevant biophysical indicators to facilitate the up scaling of the technologies in broad geographical scales. 3) Opportunities for run-off control and water harvesting to be explored as strategy for improving water use efficiency 4) Address the issues of the most limiting factor to crop growth.Item An Annotated List of East African Forest Insects(East African Agriculture and Forestry Research Organization, 1950) Gardner, J.C.M.; East African Agriculture and Forestry Research Organization; East African Agriculture and Forestry Research OrganizationThis list is based on a survey of forest insects started in 1950 when the writer commenced work; the survey will of course be continuous and will become more quantitative in the course of time. J. O. Evans and S. J. Curry, Forest Department, Kenya (from 1953) did much collecting and the Forest Departments of Uganda and Tanganyika each deputed two African collectors to assist.Item Annual Report of the Research Division 1975(Ministry of Agriculture, 1975) Ministry of AgricultureThe main features of the reorganization of the Research Division which started in 1974, were completed by the first half of 1975. The various research projects continued to make progress despite the rising costs of many items considered necessary for running research stations.Item Assessment and Monitoring of Nutrient Flows and Stocks to Determine Appropriate Integrated Nutrient Management Strategies: Methodological Approach Adapted for Arid and Semi-arid Lands of Kenya, 2000(Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, 2000) Kenya Agricultural Research Institute; Gachimbi, L.N.; Ikombo, B.M.; Itabari, J.K.; Nguluu, S.M.; Thuranira E.G.; de Jager, A.; Kulen, H.V.; Kenya Agricultural Research InstituteKenya's arable land comprises 44.6 million hectares, of which about 33.6 million ha is either semi- arid or arid (ASAL). The aim of agricultural development in the country is to increase agricultural production in a sustainable manner, through integrated crop management approaches under different cropping systems and appropriate tillage practices. Integrated crop management. in this context, refers to the application of the best available management techniques for nutrients, water and crop protection. The rapid increase in Kenya's population has resulted in three distinct phenomena. Firstly, there is the rapid rural-urban migration in search of better job opportunities. Secondly, there is out migration from the high and medium rainfall areas in search of new farmlands in the ASALs. Introduction of crop production technologies from high potential areas has proven sometimes disastrous if not accompanied by various soil nutrient adding/saving or water conservation approaches. Appropriate technology is thus lacking. Thirdly, tremendously increased pressure on land has necessitated intensification of land use, resulting in land degradation. Substantial parts of ASAL, are located in Machakos. Mwingi. Makuena. Kitui and Kajiado districts.Item Biennial Bearing in Coconut and Cashew(1981) Van Eijnatten, C.L.M.; Coast Agricultural Research Station PO Box 16 Kikambala KenyaIt is a common phenomenon in fruit producing perennial crops that a tree producing well during one year exhibits a much lower productivity in the subsequent year. Alternatively, a low productive your is followed by a high productive year. This biennial bearing pattern contributes to irregularity in productivity especially in small scale farms with restricted numbers of trees. In such cases a major pert of the biennial bearing, trees may be in phase" with each other i.e. all being in the nigh productive phase of the two-year cycle or in the low productive year simultaneously. This can be disastrous to the shell scale farmer in respect of his income. Biennial bearing is, in any case, undesirable from the point of view of arranging activities on the farm.Item Collected Records Relating to Insect Migration(1928) Williams, C.B.; East African Agricultural Research Station, Amani, Tanganyika.In continuation of my policy of putting on record the largest possible number of facts relating to insect migration, on which alone can a satisfactory study of the subject be based, I give below a series of new observations that have come to my knowledge since the preparation of my last paper in the Bull. Soc. Roy. Ent. Egypte, 1926 (1927), pp. 224-256. A few of the observations are my own, but the majority have been sent in by correspondents, whom I take this opportunity of thanking.Item Conference on the Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Aspects of Food Production in East Africa(1954) Cohen, A.; Standing Advisory Committee for Medical Research in East Africa, at Makerere College, Kampala, UgandaConference on the Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Aspects of Food Production in East AfricaItem Conference on the Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Aspects of Food Production in East Africa(1954) Standing Advisory Committee for Medical ResearchIt gives me the greatest pleasure to welcome the delegates to this Conference, both those from Uganda and those from the other territories.Item Constraints of Rainfed and Irrigated Farming in Taru Area, Coast Province(National Agricultural Laboratories, 1980) Van der wal, A.O.; National Agricultural LaboratoriesEvaluation of Taru pilot projectItem Crop Protection Technical Report(Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI), February 1999) Farrell, G.; Kibata, G. N.; Kenya Agricultural Research InstituteThis sixth Annual Technical Report gives details of experimental work supported by the Crop Protection program of KARIDFID NARP II. The report covers the period from October 1997 to September 1998.Item Derris Agronomy: An Annotated Bibliography and a Critical Review(1944) Moreau, R.E.; East African Agricultural Research Institute, AmaniThe published data, with the addition of some unpublished for East Africa, are reviewed under the following heads: selection and breeding (with a table showing the toxic contents attained); variability; climate and derris; shade: the age for harvesting; root character and toxicity; the effect of manuring: yields and spacing: propagation by cuttings: staking; pests and diseases: histology and bio- chemistry of rotenone in derris plants. On the whole results and opinions are remarkably inconclusive and conflicting. There is a wide field for carefully planned experimentation. The Tanga Province of Tanganyika Terri- tory is at present practically the only producer of high-grade derris root in the British Empire. Production and prospects elsewhere are mentioned. The Tanganyika derris industry is based on clonal material of D. elliptica Changi type, with satisfactory toxic content, but not nearly so good as the more recent selections in Java and Malaya. Commercial production in Tanganyika is all in climates cooler or drier, or both, than thought desirable in the Far East. Maturation is much slower than elsewhere, so that harvesting is not recommended before 30 months, compared with 18-24 elsewhere. Excellent yields have been obtained on soils, as well as in climates, that would, on experience elsewhere, be classed as unfavourable.Item Designing Agricultural Technology for High Rates of Diffusion through Farmer Populations: CIMMYT's Fast African Economics Programme(Ministry Of Agriculture, 1976) Collinson, M. P.; Institute For Development Studies University Of NairobiThere is need for an interdisciplinary effort which includes social scientists in planning and designing adaptive agricultural research. The need is founded. on the fact that farmers take (decisions on what to produce, how much of it to produce .and how to produce it in the light of the economic circumstances in "which they find themselves. The full set of these circumstances should be brought to bear in research design if experimental programs, are to produce the appropriate, improved technology which is the key to broad based agricultural development. The paper sets out an interdisciplinary procedural sequence for research orientation and experimental design in which the agricultural scientist is the expert in crop improvement and the microeconomist the expert in farmers' circumstances, and the result of which is a more relevant, effective research effort.Item Dryland applied Research And Extension Project KARI/KEFRI/NRI Arid Technical Report(Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, 1995) Kenya Agricultural Research InstituteThe dry and semi-arid areas form a significant part of RRC-Embu's mandate area, covering about 80% of the agricultural land_ Increasing population pressure in the drylands is leading to intensification of agriculture in a fragile environment, presenting many technical challenges for research. The Dryland Applied Research and Extension Project (DAREP) is using a multi-disciplinary approach to meet these challenges. DAREP is a major part of RRC Embu's regional research programme for the semi-arid area with a geographical focus on Mbeere, Tharaka-Nithi, and Central Isiolo Districts. The project involves collaboration between various research and extension institutions including Kenya AgriculturalResearch Instit ute (lead institution), Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRl), National ResourcesInstitute UK (NRI) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock Development and Marketing. DAREP focuses on tvvo main areas of impact. The first is the development and dissemination of relevant technologies relating to crop production, tools, soil and water management, agroforestry and livestock in order to improve the livelihoods of about 70,000 small-scale farm families living in the project area. The second focus relates to institutional capacity building and methodology development for enhancing the participation of farmers and other stakeholders in the technology development and dissemination process.Item The Effects Of Motivation On Organizational Performance A Case of The Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI)(Joyce W. K, 2012) Joyce, W. K.The research explored the effects of motivation on the performance of the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARl). It discussed several motivational theories and strategies used in organizations. It covered the lower and middle level employees of the institution and a sample of 30 questionnaires was used.
