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Now showing 1 - 10 of 13

Recent Submissions

Influence of Farmland Factors on Adoption Intensity of Nutrient Management Practices in Tharaka-Nithi County, Kenya
(University of Embu, 2026-07-28) Raphael Wambua Kithome; Florence Kaumi Kirimi; Joyline Mugambi Muchiri; Raphael Mwiti Gikunda; Fridah Kanana Kinyua; Hezron Rasugu Mogaka
Background: The adoption of the recommended nutrient management practices can significantly improve agricultural production by up to 66.5% and potentially double farm yields. However, the rate of adoption of the practices is likely to be affected by farmland factors, including land ownership, farm terrain, soil type and farming system, among others. Although research on the adoption of agricultural practices has been widely undertaken, there is limited information on the probable influence of farmland factors on adoption intensity of nutrient management practices, especially among farmers in Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya. This study analyzed the adoption of nutrient management practices and examined the influence of farmland factors on the adoption of these practices among farmers in Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya. Methods: A sample of 400 farmers was selected from a target population of 85,675 in the county through stratified random sampling. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data from the respondents. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the results, while the Tobit regression model was used to analyze the inferential statistics using Stata version 15. Result: The findings indicated that the use of cover crops was the most commonly practiced nutrient management practice (39.1%, n = 157), while precision nutrient management was the least adopted practice (0.7%, n = 3). The results also showed that the distance from the farm to the market (coefficient 0.036, p<0.05), mixed cropping (coefficient 0.069, p<0.05) and soil quality (coefficient -0.042, p<0.05) significantly influenced the adoption intensity of nutrient management practices. The adoption intensity of the practices was found to be low, primarily influenced by cropping systems. To enhance the adoption of nutrient management practices, national and county extension providers should design and implement training programs for farmers on soil nutrition.
CAN FARMLAND FACTORS INFLUENCE THE SUSTAINABILITY OF AGROFORESTRY PRACTICES AMONG FARMERS? A CASE STUDY OF THARAKA-NITHI COUNTY, KENYA
(International Journal of Agricultural Extension, 2025-11-25) Kithome, Raphael W.; Kirimi, Florence K.; Gikunda, Raphael M.; Kinyua, Fridah K.; Mogaka, Hezron R.
The study contributes to the knowledge base on agricultural extension, specifically examining the potential influence of selected farmland factors on the sustainability of agroforestry practices among farmers, with a particular focus on landholding patterns in Tharaka Nithi County. The research used stratified sampling to select a representative sample of 400 respondents from the target population of 85,675 farmers. A peer-reviewed semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data. The probit regression model was used to address the research question on the likely influence of farmland factors on the sustainability of agroforestry practices, using Stata version 15. The study revealed significantly higher sustainability of agroforestry practices among farmers with formal land titles (Coef. = 1.104, p = 0.007) and those who adopted a high number of nutrient management practices (Coef. = 0.679, p = 0.001). Additionally, natural features on a farm, such as wetlands, rock outcrops, hills, or uneven topography, significantly and negatively affected the adoption and sustainability of agroforestry practices (Coef. = -0.239, p = 0.038). On the contrary, other farmland factors, including infrastructure around the farm, soil quality perception, farm nature, and terrain type, were found to be statistically insignificant for the sustainability of agroforestry (p > 0.05). Therefore, the adoption and sustainability of agroforestry practices were mainly influenced by landholding structures and tenure security. To promote the efficient adoption and sustainability of agroforestry practices, the government should implement land reforms that secure land tenure and facilitate land consolidation.
Agronomic Practices and Grain Yields of Basmati 370 Rice Variety under Common Farmer Husbandry Practices in Mwea Irrigation Scheme, Kenya:A Review
(Agricultural Reviews, 2026-05-25) Agembo, Wilson Oyange; Nthakanio, Paul Njiruh; Koskei, Vincent Kipngetich; Mwendwa, Faith Mwende
Basmati 370 rice is the predominant commercial variety grown by nearly 95% of the farmers in Mwea Irrigation Scheme in Kenya. Farmers agronomic practices are varied and there exist limited systematically documented baseline data on farmers practices, yields and land productivity. This study seeks to establish the farmers practices and yields, compare with monthly crop establishment data and document Basmati 370 yields in Mwea. The scheme was divided into six units and structured questionnaire administered to determine the farmers practices, followed by field yield sampling to quantify productivity. Concurrently, field trails were conducted to establish growth and yield performance of Basmati 370 rice variety under research conditions. Survey results indicate that majority of the farmers (70%), practice random planting for rice crop establishment. Fertilizer use is moderate (50%) and types varied with DAP + MOP and SA (79%) as the preferred combinations. There was nearly 100% use of herbicides for weed control. Farmers field yields averaged 5.0 t/ha and this compared well with experimental yields of 5.5 t/ha, the highest being 6.0 t/ha, during the November cropping. Comparatively, Lower farmers’ yields (5.0 t/ha) is attributed to inadequate agronomic practices. November cropping gave the highest yields but not different from August and September cropping and possibly the best establishment period. It can therefore be concluded that Basmati 370 rice yields 5.5t/ha in Mwea irrigation scheme.
The Relationship Between Teachers' Planning and Content Delivery Using the Five-Stage Lesson Plan Structure: An Analysis of Age, Gender, Experience and Academic Qualifications in Kenya
(Wiley, 2025-01-17) Victor Okoth Saoke; Zachary N. Ndwiga; Pauline W. Githaiga; Ciriaka Muriithi Gitonga; Kaberia Isaac Kubai; Christine Mueni Nzomo; Brian Munyao Mulonz; Dickens Okach Ngicho
Effective instruction is vital for quality education in Kenya, with learners' success mainly dependent on structured methods like the five-stage lesson plan (5-SLP). Nonetheless, the effectiveness of instruction may differ depending on the demographic and professional attributes of the teachers. Although the value of planning for content delivery is well acknowledged, there is limited information on how teachers' characteristics (age, gender, experience and academic qualification) influence their planning and content delivery. Thus, this study examined the relationship between teachers' planning and content delivery through the 5SLP, focusing on their characteristics. A sample of 226 CRE teachers was analysed using an observation checklist and a semistructured questionnaire. The impact of gender, age, experience and academic qualification on teachers' planning and content delivery was investigated in the study using multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and tests of between-subjects effects. Results indicated that age significantly affects both planning and content delivery (p=0.003, p=0.002, p=0.000), while gender, experience and educational qualifications did not show a substantial impact. Nevertheless, significant combined effects were observed between age and gender (p=0.010), gender and experience (p=0.045), age and experience (p=0.004) and age and academic qualification (p=0.016). Furthermore, tests of between-subjects effects indicated significant interactions among age, academic qualifications and experience (p=0.039, p=0.016, p=0.004) affecting content delivery. The study findings recommended a policy on the need for customised training programmes that consider these complex interactions to enhance instructional effectiveness. Generally, the study contributes to understanding how demographics influence educational practices, offering valuable insights for improving teacher preparation and professional development.
FEASIBILITY OF BASMATI HYBRID SEED PRODUCTI ON IN KENYA USING HIGH-TEMPERATURE–INDUCED EGMS (2-LINE SYSTEM)
(African Scholarly Science Communications Trust, 2026-07-11)
The need to increase rice yield has prompted breeders to adopt hybrid rice seed technology. The main challenge has been finding a female parent that is completely male-sterile so it can be pollinated by a pollen donor. Basmati rice lines are difficult to cross with other lines, limiting the use of their hybrids for yield improvement. The objective of this study was to cross Environment-Sensitive Genic Male Sterile (EGMS) with Basmati to produce hybrid Basmati rice seeds to improve rice yield in Kenya. Photoperiod-sensitive genic male-sterile rice lines IR-73827-23-76-15-7 S and IR-75589-31-27-8-33-2S, and a thermosensitive genic male-sterile line, IR77271-42-25-4-36S, known as P1, P2 and T1, respectively, were obtained from the International Rice Research Institute. These lines were grown under greenhouse (GH) conditions, where temperatures exceeded 34°C to induce complete male sterility. Results showed that under high GH temperatures, both PGMS and TGMS lines had over 89.2±1.8ef pollen sterility, which positively corresponded with over 98.9±0.3d spikelet sterility, whereas Basmati (370 and 217) had as low as 85.8±2e pollen sterility and 69.5±1.1c spikelet sterility, particularly for Basmati217. The best hybrid seed yield was from the cross between Basmati217 and T1(V3), with an average of 39.12%, compared to the control lines (unpollinated), which had 0% seed production, indicating the potential for local Basmati seed production. When tested under GH growth conditions, hybrid lines P1B217 and P2B217 had the highest filled spikelet of 68.5±1.2e and 69.5±1.4e, compared to Basmati370 and 217, which had 37.1±1.4b and 34.3±1.3b, and EGMS P1 and T, which had filled spikelets of 0.7±0.3a and 1.7±0.4a, respectively. This indicates the feasibility of increasing Basmati yield in Kenya using hybrid seed technology (EGMS method) with hybrid seeds free of contamination from self-bred seeds. Additionally, Basmati370 appears to exhibit better heterosis than Basmati217 for most strains studied. In conclusion, the EGMS method should be enhanced to produce Basmati hybrid rice seeds to increase yield and food security.