Agriculture Books, Book Reviews and Book Chaptershttp://repository.embuni.ac.ke/handle/123456789/2542024-03-29T14:46:17Z2024-03-29T14:46:17ZHuman-Wildlife conflicts at the interface between Mt. Kenya National Park/National Forest and small holder farming communities in Embu CountyNyaga, Justine M.Rock, KimKjellander, Petterhttp://repository.embuni.ac.ke/handle/embuni/38062021-07-06T00:05:16Z2021-06-01T00:00:00ZHuman-Wildlife conflicts at the interface between Mt. Kenya National Park/National Forest and small holder farming communities in Embu County
Nyaga, Justine M.; Rock, Kim; Kjellander, Petter
Human-wildlife conflict (HWC) is a common problem for many farming
communities around protected areas like parks, reserves and forests all around the
world. In Kenya where most farming occurs at smallholder levels, HWC:s could be
highly significant as it may lead to a complete loss of crops and livestock. Such
cases have previously been experienced by smallholder farming communities
around Mt. Kenya national park/natural forest, but many have gone unreported. To
minimise these conflicts, the government of Kenya, in collaboration with the Rhino
Ark Foundation have constructed an electric fence around the forest.
The main aim of this study was to collate and document experiences of crop raiding
by wildlife on small holder farms in Embu County, Kenya that are adjacent to the
forest. It also aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of the electric wildlife fence
along the forest line through Embu County. To achieve this, questionnaires were
administered to 181 small holder farmers living and farming within 5 km of the
electric fence on the approximately 60 km long forest line. The questionnaires
sought to gather information on the wildlife species causing damages, the
magnitude of damage suffered by the farmers on the crops and livestock before and
after the construction of the fence, the interventions they have in place to prevent
such damage and other suggestions to prevent wildlife raids. Wildlife cameras were
also used to track wildlife activity at night time. A total of 169 questionnaires were
retrieved and 455 pictures downloaded from the cameras.
Results show that the percentage of crops destroyed by wildlife was significantly
higher in the year before the wildlife fence was constructed in 2016 compared to
the period after the fence (2016-19). Currently the naked mole rat (Heterocephalus
glaber) and the Kenyan African (Tachyoryctes ibeanus) were reported as the most
frequent pests on crops after the fence construction. Elephants were the most severe
crop raiders before the fence construction, but their raiding ceased completely after
the fence installation. The white tailed mongoose (Ichneumia albicauda) and eagles
(Accipitridae family) were the most frequently reported raiders on livestock. Maize,
macadamia and bananas were the most commonly targeted crops while chickens
were the most targeted livestock. Over 90% of the farmers indicated that the fence
significantly contributed to a reduction of HWC:s. However, they also suggested
additional fencing for both crops and livestock, as well as trapping and poisoning
of raiders like moles and mongooses that were responsible for most of the crop
damage and livestock attacks. This study recommends that farmers devise
innovative ways of dealing with the threat of small animals. These may include
aggressive fencing and growing crops and keeping livestock that are not targeted
by small animals. It is also recommends that the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS)
develop innovative ways of compensating affected farmers and prevent further loss.
The KWS may also train farmers on procedures to follow in reporting cases of
wildlife invasion and on food choices of various wildlife species inhabiting the
forest so that they avoid growing crops or keeping livestock that are prime targets
for wildlife.
2021-06-01T00:00:00ZStudy of The Effects of Varrying The Concentration Of Aluminium on The Properties of Caal2o4: Ce3+ Phosphors.Kipchumba, Jepsat Dorcashttp://repository.embuni.ac.ke/handle/embuni/36242022-01-13T06:47:48Z2019-01-01T00:00:00ZStudy of The Effects of Varrying The Concentration Of Aluminium on The Properties of Caal2o4: Ce3+ Phosphors.
Kipchumba, Jepsat Dorcas
Population increase has been observed in the past few years and as a result there is need for development in order to improve living standards of people. Lighting in homes and industries one of the major areas that needs to be improved. In the past few years electricity has been used as a source of lighting, however its high cost of production makes it expensive for use. Long afterglow phosphor materials have been studied as a substitute for the use of electricity. In this study effects of varying concentration of aluminum ion on the properties of CaAl2O4: Ce3+ phosphor was determined. In particular the absorbance of CaAl2O4: Ce3+ at different wavelengths prepared by solution combustion method were investigated. CaAl2O4: Ce3+ phosphor was prepared by solution combustion method at 500⁰C. The samples obtained were then characterized using spectrophotometer to measure their absorbance. It is observed that the samples showed the highest absorbance at 400 nm wavelength.
2019-01-01T00:00:00ZBringing Climate Smart Agriculture to Scale: Experiences from the Water Productivity Project in East and Central AfricaMogaka, Hezron R.Kwena, KizitoAdeme, FitihSerge, JosephAsmerom, NezeghtyMusana, BernardRazakamiaramanana, RazakaRuttoh, ReubenDereje, AssefaWoldearegey, KifleEsilaba, AnthonyEmongor, Rosemaryhttp://repository.embuni.ac.ke/handle/embuni/21722019-06-14T00:01:24Z2018-03-01T00:00:00ZBringing Climate Smart Agriculture to Scale: Experiences from the Water Productivity Project in East and Central Africa
Mogaka, Hezron R.; Kwena, Kizito; Ademe, Fitih; Serge, Joseph; Asmerom, Nezeghty; Musana, Bernard; Razakamiaramanana, Razaka; Ruttoh, Reuben; Dereje, Assefa; Woldearegey, Kifle; Esilaba, Anthony; Emongor, Rosemary
Since 2010, six research organizations in the region have implemented a regional project that sought to combat food insecurity, poverty and climate change by up-scaling Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) technologies across farms and landscapes using the Climate Smart Landscape (CSL) approach. Several CSA technologies were evaluated and promoted across landscapes using this approach with remarkable success. Maize yields in Kenya rose from 0.5 to 3.2 t ha-1, resulting in over 90% of the watershed communities being food secure. In Madagascar, rice yields increased from 2 to 4 t ha-1 whilst onion yields increased from 10 to 25 t ha-1, resulting in watershed communities being 60% food-secure. In Eritrea, sorghum yields increased from 0.6 to 2 t ha-1. Farmers in Ethiopia earned US$10,749 from the sale of pasture whilst in Madagascar, watershed communities earned additional income of about US$2500/ha/year from the sale of onions and potatoes during off-season. Adoption levels of various CSA technologies rose from less than 30% to over 100% across the participating countries, resulting in rehabilitation of huge tracts of degraded land. In a nutshell, the potential for CSL in the region is huge and if exploited could significantly improve our economies, lives and environment.
2018-03-01T00:00:00ZThe Cell Bio-engineering: Biotechnology Practice
NotesNjiruh, Nthakanio P.http://repository.embuni.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6502019-01-06T00:03:55Z2016-01-01T00:00:00ZThe Cell Bio-engineering: Biotechnology Practice
Notes
Njiruh, Nthakanio P.
This book is compiled from work and experiences of a number of years of
teaching Cell Biology, Genetics and Molecular Biology. Thus, the content
included is attested practices written with a practical bio-production
approach. It comes in form of precise notes that are recommended reference
to those people who are beginning and also advancing their careers in
biotechnology practice. Moreover, students and researchers who wish to put
biotechnology into practice will find this book a very valuable resource. The
book mainly, dowels on cell culture and cellular bio-engineering which is
purposely written for greater understanding of cellular products.
Book Synopsis
2016-01-01T00:00:00Z