Faculty of Agriculture

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    Effects of Different application rates of Vermicompost and Biofertilizer on growth, yield and quality of Beetroot( Beta vulgaris var. crassa L.)
    (Egerton University, 2021) Mbithi Alice Munuu
    Beetroot (Beta vulgaris var. crassa L.) is gaining prominence in Kenya because of its high nutritive and medicinal value. ln order to obtain high yields and good quality beetroot, it is asential to provide soils with high organic matter and nutrients supply throughout the growing season. ln trying to address some of these challenges, a study was conducted in the Horticulture Research and Teaching Field, Egerton University to determine the effects of different application rates of vermicompost and biofertilizer on growth, yield and quality of beetroot. The research was conducted over a span of two growing seasons as an unbalanced factorial experiment i.n a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications. Two organic fertilizer types (vermicompost and biofertilizer) were studied each at four different application rates (5, 10, 20 and 3Ot./ha) and two controls; one with no fertilizer applied (negative control) and the other with inorganic fertilizer NPK (17:17:17) applied at the recommended rate of 60kg/ha (positive control).The variables studied were plant height, number of leaves, Leaf Area Index (LAI), fresh and dry root weight, fresh and dry leaf weight, total plant biomass, harvest index, brix content, tiuatable acidity, sugar/acid ratio, soil pl-1, leaf and root N, P, K, Ca and Fe content. The data were analyzed using SAS version 9 and means separated using Tukey’s Honest Significant difference test at P5 0.05. Results showed that the use of vermicompost and biofertilizer at 30tonnes/hectare improved beetroot growth measured in leaf number, leaf area index and plant height; yield measured in root and leaf weight, total plant biomass and harvest index and quality measured in brix content compared with no fertilizer application and were comparable with the recommended inorganic fertilizer rate. Findings of this study indicate potential of usi.ng of vermicompost and biofertilizer to improve beetroot production, methods that principally provide for the use of sustainable and environmentally sound waste management systems to recycle crop nutrients
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    Factors influencing on-farm common Bean Profitability: The case of smallholder bean farmers in Babati District, Tanzania
    (Egerton University, 2016) Saimon Venance
    Legumes are important food and cash crops in developing countries. In Tanzania, more than half the farmers grow several species of grain legumes which include common bean, groundnut, pigeon pea, cowpea, chickpea, peas and soybean. However, productivity of all grain legumes is still low and far below potential and this has impacted on profitability. The aim of this study was to contribute to common bean improved profitability facts for income and food security in Tanzania. The specific objectives were; to measure the common bean on-farm gross margin realized by smallholder farmers, examine the socio-economic factors determining common bean on-farm level gross margin and to determine factors influencing the household common bean supply to the market. Multistage sampling procedure was used to select the respondents from the four divisions in Babati district (Babati, Gorowa, Mbugwe and Bashnet). The first stage involved a purposive selection of two divisions from the four divisions mentioned. The second stage entailed the selection of six wards from the two divisions, using purposive sampling technique; four from Bashnet division and two from Babati division. The fourth stage entailed purposive selection of 9 villages from the six wards basing on bean production dominance. Then the final stage employed systematic random sampling technique to select 200 bean farmers from the nine villages. Primary data was collected from the field using a structured interview schedule method. Secondary data such as national and world common bean production trend; Tanzania common bean export and import were obtained from published literature from Babati district council, Sokoine National Agricultural Library and Egerton University main library. In analysis of data; objective one was analysed using Gross Margin Analysis procedure. Moreover, objective two was analysed using Multiple Regression Analysis approach. Lastly, objective three was analyzed using Logistic Regression method. The study results showed that, at farm level, a gross margin of T/ZS 133,710.20/= (US$63.67) and TZS 307,283.70/= (US$146.33) for local and improved variety respectively was generated per acre per season. Moreover, age of respondents; gender; yield; selling price (farm-gate price); access to credit; and off-fann income affected the gross margin realized by smallholder farmers. Similarly, age of respondents; gender; family size; education level (years of schooling); farm-gate price; distance to the market; and off-farm income influenced the quantity of bean supplied to the market. This implies that, if this study is positively recognized by bean industry stakeholders, it may significantly contribute as a source of information for improving bean profitability and food security.
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    Selected Emerging issues in education and their effects on secondary School Agricultural education programme in Kenya: A case of Meru south district
    (Egerton University, 2012) Jane Ciandeke Francis
    The education sector in Kenya has been undergoing reforms since independence. The reforms have been trying to address the emerging issues in the education sector. These emerging issues have been influencing the secondary school agricultural education programme both negatively and positively. The purpose of this study was to explore the selected emerging issues in education and to describe their effects on the secondary school agricultural education programme in Kenya. Effects of the critical emerging issues in education were focused on; (1) performance of students in agriculture at the K.C.S.E. examinations level, (2) enrolment of students into agricultural education classes, and (3) coverage of the syllabus of secondary school agricultural education programme. The study was a qualitative research using ex-p0sI- fhcm design. The respondents were drawn from secondary schools in Meru South District. All the agriculture education teachers in the district were involved in the snidy (N=29). The data was collected using questionnaire. The questionnaire was self administered. Data was analyzed using the statistical package for social sciences 1SPSS) version 12.5. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the data including percentages for individual items. Tables and figrres were used to summarize the data. The results revealed that the most critical emerging issues that are influencing the secondary school agricultural education programme are curriculum issues, examination issues and free primary education. Therefore, it was recommended that The Ministry of Education should lay more emphasis on how to mitigate the emerging issues that have influence on the secondary school agricultural education prograinme. The emerging education issues that are positively influencing agricultural education should be reinforced and made sustainable to ensure that agricultural education in the country meet the demands of its citizens in terms of food supply, provision of employment opportunities and eradication of poverty.
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    Effects of agripreneurial orientation on growth of cassava-based small and medium enterprises in Migori county,Kenya
    (Egerton University, 2022-06) Matayo, Sambrumo Gad
    Agripreneurial orientation and behaviour are the constructs that can potentially enhance entrepreneurs’ optimal outcomes. This is because it is a way of enabling them to be proactive, innovative, risk takers, autonomous as well as aggressive. Despite the Kenyan government promoting and creating opportunities for entrepreneurial development in agricultural sector, cassava producers in Migori County are yet to be entrepreneurially oriented towards income generation and growth of cassava-based enterprises. lt is unclear about innovation, value addition and diversification of cassava products by agripreneurs in Migori County. This study generally aimed at contributing to the development of cassava- based agri-enterprises through agripreneurial orientation in Migori County. Specifically, it sought to characterise cassava-based enterprises in Migori County. detennine internal and external environmental factors influencing agripreneurial orientation constructs among cassava based agro-processors in Migori County and ultimately assessing the influence of agripreneurial orientation constructs on growth of cassava-based Small and Medium Enterprises in Migori County. A cross sectional survey comprising of 171 cassava entrepreneurs from Migori County within Suna East and Uriri Sub-Counties in Kenya was conducted during months of July-August 2019. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire and subjected to analysis using descriptive statistics and ordered Logit and Probit models. The study revealed that the respondents were middle aged (43 years). majority were female (78.4 %.), had reached fomial education (52%), average age of enterprises was lOyears and average quantity of cassava traded per week of 29 Kg, average number of workers employed of 2 persons while the average distance to the market being 3Km. Agripreneurial orientation is mainly influenced by years of experience of the owner of enterprise, number of employees operating an enterprise, land size under cassava, quantity of cassava sold on daily basis. Gender, number of trained employees and age of the enterprise are the least determinants influencing agripreneurial orientation. Agripreneurial orientation was statistically significant at (P<0.05) on growth of CBSMES. This study concludes that years of experience of the owner of enterprise, number of employees operating an enterprise. land size under cassava, quantity of cassava sold on daily basis among the respondents influence growth of cassava based small and medium enterprises in Migori county. This study recommends that the government should empower cassava based agripreneurs through training, trade fairs and capacity building to change the mind set of the agriprenurs while poviding incentives in venturing into cassava for the growth of the agrienterprises as well as individual growth. \‘i
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    Quality Characteristics of Fruit Jams and Marmalades Containing Gum Arabic from Acacia Senegal Var. Kerensis
    (Egerton University, 2020-10) Imbahale, Ruth Kavaya
    Jams and marmalades are some of the most popular fruit products because of their relatively low cost, all year long availability and appealing sensory properties. These products are described as gels with pectin as the gelling agent used in its formulation. Gels are a fonn of matter intermediate between a solid and liquid consisting of polymeric molecules cross-linked to form tangles. Under mechanical stress, pectin gels may be damaged leading to the release of colloidal water termed as syneresis. This study was aimed at solving the challenge of syneresis by integrating pectin with gum arabic. Gum arabic from Acacia senegal var. kerensis was added in the range of l-5% as an additive in the fruit spreads. Different fruits were used to make the jam (red Plums and Pineapples) and marmalade (Orange and Lemon) with gum Arabic (1%, 2%, 3%, 4% and 5%). Jam and marmalade without any gum Arabic was also prepared as a control in the study. Proximate composition and Microbial analysis were carried out using approved AOAC methods whereas sensory evaluation was carried out using a semi trained panel. Syneresis was measured using centrifugation method. Results for microbial analyses indicated that the products were safe for consumption having no detectable growths for TVC, TCC and yeast and moulds. From the study, gum arabic has no significant effect at p<0.05 level of significance on the microbial safety as well as the proximate composition of the formulated jam and marmalade. The attributes analyzed in sensory evaluation included taste, texture, spreadability, aroma, flavour, colour and general acceptability. The jams and orange marmalade with 5% gum arabic inclusion level performed best in terms of the general acceptability. Lemon rnannalade was most preferred for general acceptability at 4% level of gum arabic inclusion. Viscosity was analysed on the jam and marmalade with results indicating shear thinning for the formulated products. From this study, gum Arabic which was meant to reduce the level of syneresis played a role on the texture of the product as the concentrations of gum changed. Gum arabic reduced syneresis in the fruit spreads. This is the first report on preparations of jams and marmalades with reduced syneresis due to the utilisation of gum arabic from Acacia senegal var. kerensis. vi
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    Preferences for and Exposure to Climate Resilient Potato Varieties : Case of Smallholder Farmers in Meru County, Kenya
    (Egerton University, 2021-05) Mukami, Sally Kimathi
    Production of Potato (Solanum tuberosum. L) has been declining over the years in Sub- Saharan Africa (SSA) due to climate change and variability. This has resulted to low food supply and low income among smallholder farmers exacerbating levels of food and nutrition insecurity and poverty. Climate Resilient Potato Varieties (CRPVs) are said to have the potential to address this problem by increasing the resilience of farmers to climate variability. However, previous studies show that uptake of these varieties is still significantly low. This study sought to contribute to enhanced farmers’ resilience to climate variability through increased adoption of CRPVs. Multistage sampling technique was used to sample 384 farmers from Meru County. Focus group discussions and structured questionnaires through household survey were used to collect primary data. Chi-square was used to compare adaptation practices across different agro-ecological zones. Average" Treatment Effect framework was used to determine true population adoption rates and factors affecting exposure to and adoption of CRPVs. To estimate preferences and willingness to pay for CRPV attributes, a discrete choice experiment was conducted and Mixed Iogit model was used for analysis. SAS, SPSS and STATA softwares were used for designing choice cards, data processing and data analysis respectively. Results revealed that the main adaptation practices among potato farmers in Meru County were irrigation, intercropping, crop rotation, soil conservation, use of organic fertilizers and use of CRPVs. Farmers from Abogeta West and Abothuguchi West were more adapted to climate variability than farmers from Kiirua/Naari and Kibirichia wards. Results further revealed that the main factors influencing exposure to CRPVs positively were education, training and access to credit. Access to information, access to quality seeds, training, group membership and variations in agro- ecological zones were the main factors affecting adoption. The actual population CRPVs adoption rate was 6.3% whereas the potential adoption rate was 30.7% revealing an adoption gap of 24.4% due to partial exposure. Resistant to pests and diseases was the most preferred trait indicated by the high value of willingness to pay. To improve adoption rates for CRPVs, more effort should put in exposing farmers to CRPVs. Finally, breeding programs should also focus in developing potato varieties that are highly resistant to pests and diseases, are high yielding, have low water requirements and short maturation period of less than three months as they are preferred most by farmers for adaptability to climate variability.
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    Prediction of Indigenous Chicken Genomic Breeding Values and Performance using Machine Learning
    (Egerton University, 2020-07) Sumukwo, Chesang
    Genomic selection (GS) is a new breeding strategy that is rapidly becoming the method of choice of selection. It predicts the phenotypes of quantitative traits based on genome-wide markers of genotypes using conventional predictive models. However. these conventional predictive models are faced with a statistical challenge related to high dimensionality of marker data and typically make strong assumptions related to linear regression analysis. They also do not capture the complex, non-linear relationships Within genotypes and between genotypes and phenotypes. Machine learning has been reported to be a promising tool, which accounts for these shortcomings. This study aimed at detemiining the adoption of machine leaming in genomic prediction and performance estimation of indigenous chicken (IC). To compare predictive ability of genomic models, DeepGS, ridge-regression best linear unbiased prediction (RR-BLUP), Ensemble and artificial neural network (ANN) models were adopted in predicting body weight (BW) of IC based on genome-wide markers. The Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC) results for the four models were 0.891, 0.889, 0.892 and 0.812 respectively. All models were not significant difference (p>0.05) from each other, therefore, all the four models can be used in complement. For perfonnance prediction, mean normalized discounted cumulative gain value (MNDCGV) were adopted. The MNDCGV results showed that the accuracy of genomic estimated breeding values (GEBVs) estimated using DeepGS RR-BLUP and Ensemble were 0.75~0.78, 0.66~O.76 and O.76~0.79 respectively. Thus, the Ensemble and DeepGS model outperformed the RR-BLUP model by a significant margin (P<0.05), therefore they can be used as a supplement to RR-BLUP. To evaluate the extent of non-linearity among explanatory variables within genotypes and between genotypes and phenotypes, a multilayer perceptron ANN was adopted. Mean absolute error (MAE) and PCC were used to measure the ANN perfonnance. The results showed that the neural network with one hidden layer containing 10 neurons yielded high PCC value of 0.86 and MSE of 2.98E-3. Further increase of network dimension to 16 and 32 neurons the performance decreased to 0.67 and 0.27 for PCC and MAE increased to 7.73E-2 and 7.60E-2 respectively. Thus, model with 10 neurons is enough to handle non-linearity of data set thus chosen as the best non- linear model. This study concludes that DeepGS, Ensemble, RR-BLUP and ANN models can be used interchangeably in making phenotypic predictions, also the Ensemble and DeepGS model are appropriate in phenotypic ranking of individuals. vi
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    Potential Demand Estimation of East Coast Fever Vaccines in Makuyu Division, Kenya - An Application of Contingent Valuation and Conjoint Analysis
    (Egerton University, 2002-04) Ngugi, Isaac Komo
    East Coast fever (ECF) is considered the most important livestock disease in Eastern Africa and makes producers unable to realize the potential benefit from the sub-sector. Use of vaccines could effectively control the disease. Given the anticipated benefits of ECF vaccines, this study has assessed their potential demand among farmers from Makuyu Division in Central Province of Kenya. This was achieved through estimation of willingness and ability to pay (WATP) and analysis of farmer preferences. The Contingent Valuation (CV) method and double-bounded logit model were employed to elicit and model WATP, while conjoint analysis was used in decomposing farmer preferences regarding the vaccine to purchase. The estimated WATP for sub-unit was slightly higher than that of the other vaccine, infection and treatment method (ITM). Price was identified as a factor statistically influencing demand for the vaccines at 95% confidence level. The contribution of vaccine- attributes to purchase decision in order of decreasing importance were; effectiveness, frequency of administration, reactors and price, hence the need to give priority to non-price factors when designing an ECF vaccine. Ill
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    Efficacy of Gibberellic Acid in Controlling Pathological Decay and Maintaining Post-Harvets Quality of Passion Fruits (Passiflora edulis var. edulis sims.)
    (Egerton University, 2001) Mwangi, George Ngugi
    Pathogens cause deterioration of passion fiuits and resist pesticides applied post-harvest to control them. Pesticides, unlike most plant growth regulators, may pose a health hazard to consumers. This research aimed at determining the effect of gibberellic acid (GA3) and timing of application on the post-harvest quality of passion fruits inoculated with Penicillium expansum and stored in a room maintained at 17 to 22° C and over 85 % relative humidity for 48 hours. Fruits were sprayed with 0, 50, 100, or 250 ppm GA;, packed in clear polythene bags and kept at room temperature. Repeated data were recorded at 2- days interval for 20 days post-treatment. Early application of GA; significantly maintained soluble solids, colour, fimmess, chlorophyll, and weight, and slowed disease incidence and severity, fruit loss, and ethylene evolution. Application of GA; at 0 days post-harvest (dph) was more effective in delaying deterioration than application at 5, 10, or 15 dph. Gibberellic acid significantly inhibited disease incidence, fruit loss, and ethylene evolution frequently, whereas it significantly affected colom, soluble solids, chlorophyll, and firmness occasionally. Weight and disease severity were least aflected by GA;. The effects of 50, 100, and 250 ppm GA; were similar, but greater than of 0 ppm GA;. In a related experiment, passion fruits were stored for 0, 5, 10, or 15 dph before fungi were isolated on a potato dextrose agar medium to determine the effect of storage time on prevalence. P. expansum, F usarium oxysporum, Alternaria passiflorae, Seploria sp., Cladusparium sp., Aspergillusflavus, and Rhizopus stolonifer were isolated. Prevalence increased with storage time. This research revealed that passion fruits should be treated with preservatives soon after harvest, because delaying renders the fi'uits susceptible to post-harvest pathogens. lll
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    Performance of Exotic Chicken Fed Insect-Based Diets: Effect on Laying Capacity, Egg Characteristics and Economic Returns
    (Egerton University, 2021-10) Khayanga, Esther Sumbule
    Increasing demand for soybean meal and fishmeal for use in fonnulating animal feeds has led to increased prices and moreover their availability in future might be limited. Insect rearing can be part of the solution because they take a short period to mature, require small space and fewer resources to start. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of substituting fishmeal (FM) with black soldier fly larvae (BSFLM) at different inclusion levels, as a protein source in exotic chick, grower, and layers diets. The following parameters were measured, weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio (FCR), laying percentage, egg characteristics and economic implication. A total of 250-day old Isa Brown layer birds were used for this experimental trial that ran for 45 weeks. Diets were formulated based on five different inclusion levels of BSFLM to replace FM (0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%). Chicks were randomly distributed into five treatments each with five birds per replicate and nine replications, while a total of seventy five (75) layer hens were randomly placed in different cages each with 5 hens replicated 3 times and offered five different treatments. Data on weight gain, feed intake, egg characteristics, laying percentage, FCR and economic implication were analyzed using one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) in SAS version 9.00 (2002) with completely randomized design (CRD) model. The significance between treatment means was tested at statistical significance level of 5% and separated using Tukey’s test. The results showed that most parameters were significantly (P<0.00l) different in chick’s experiment. However, there were no significant (P>0.05) difference recorded for grower birds’ parameters. The study also demonstrated that laying capacity was significantly (P<0.00l) different while egg characteristic was not significantly (P>0.05) different. Conventional layers diet (Tl) was most expensive (Kes 45/kg) while T5 was the cheapest (Kes 42/kg). In conclusion, high performance can be achieved at lower inclusion levels of BSFLM up to 50% in chicks’ diet and up to 75% in grower birds and layer hens’ diets. Thus, BSFL is a suitable alternative to FM in exotic birds’ diet. vi
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    Participation of Smallholder Avocado Farmers in Contract Farming and its Effects on Income in Kandara District, Kenya
    (Egerton University, 2013-10) Maiwa, Mercy Mwambi
    Contract fanning is seen by its proponents as a tool for creating new market opportunities as well as for providing credit and training, leading to increased smallholder farmers’ incomes. Critics, however, argue that contract farming encourages unequal bargaining relationships with agribusiness firms and is likely to pass risks to famiers, thus favouring large scale farmers at the expense of smallholders. Another school of thought contends that the effect of contract farming on the livelihoods of smallholder famiers is context specific and depends on the enterprise in question. Yet, there is a dearth of empirical evidence from such studies in Sub-Saharan Africa. This study used data collected in 2012 from 100 smallholder avocado farmers in Kandara district in Kenya, obtained using multistage technique, to determine the socioeconomic attributes of contract and non-contract fanners. To control for unobservable characteristics that might affect pariciation, Heckman two stage model was used to assess the factors that influence smallholder avocado famiers' participation and their extent of participation in contract fanning. Further, because of lack of pre-treatment data and the possibility of selection bias due to observable characteristics, propensity score matching technique was used to construct controls for the treatment group. The results indicated that contract and non-contract famiers had significant differences in gender. access to credit and education. Further, smallholder avocado farmers’ membership in agricultural group. access to credit, number of trees, proximity to a leader in Avocado Growers Association of Kenya (AGAK), perception of price of avocado offered under contract and perception of the ability of contracts to offer ready market were significant in influencing households‘ decision to participate in contract farming. Findings also showed that contract fanning does not improve smallholder farmers‘ income. Instead, support services such as interlinked credit and provision of information should also be taken into consideration in contract farming because of their potential benefits for smallholders. vi
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    The perception of Egerton university agricultural education graduates on the relevance of their pre-service training to their job performance: A case study of Nakuru district, Kenya
    (Egerton University, 2004-04) Mkang'ombe, Janet J
    Egerton University is one the institutions that train Agriculture teachers in Kenya, through the tfsgramme of Agriculture Education and Extension. Such an exercise is, therefore, necessary to ezchers for teaching agriculture in secondary schools. The purpose of this study was to Lerermine the relevance of the B.Sc. Agricultural Education and Extension Pre-service Training Fagramme to Job Performance of the graduates from Egerton University. An ex post facto esearch design was used. A sample size of l lO agriculture education graduates was to be used in ‘e study, which was selected using multistage cluster sampling procedures from four divisions riong 15 administrative divisions of Nakuru District. These graduate teachers were to be Eected from 55 secondary schools distributed in four administrative divisions. However, only F Ieachers were found to meet the Agriculture Teacher characteristic, out of which only l l were . ed The researcher used questionnaires and observation schedules, as the key data collection ifs The questionnaire was pre-tested in ll schools found in Mombasa, Kilifi and Kwale 1 siflcts of Coast Province. The questionnaire was self- administered. Observations were made :_.".ng the first or second visit to the schools. The collected data and information was analyzed _: ".5 descriptive statistics. Findings of the study indicated a lack of balance between agriculture J ; biology in the training programme, which was said to be inclined more towards agriculture " ;: biology. Some courses were deemed irrelevant towards teaching of agriculture and biology ' secondary schools. Areas of importance such as PHV/AIDS were found wanting in the " gtzrnme. Thus, it was recommended that the whole curriculum of the training programme be : ed in line with the findings. \'1 —.
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    An Economic Evaluation of irish potato research technologies
    (Egerton University, 1998) Muruiki, Muthoni
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    An Household of urban household food demand in Nairobi, Kenya
    (Egerton University, 2008) Musyoka, Phillip Michael