ABSTRACT Cassava (Manihot esculenta, Crantz) is an important perennial tropical crop for millions of people around the world particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. It is preferred due to its agronomical attributes such as ability to grow in poor soils and drought resistance. Cassava storage roots are also a good source of starch. In addition, cassava leaves and tender shoots are eaten as vegetables in many parts of Africa, Kenya included and are an excellent source of vitamins, minerals and pro...
Abstract: Plant parasitic nematodes (PPNs) develop through three major stages in their life cycle: hatching, infection, and reproduction. Interruption of any of these stages can affect their growth and survival. We used screenhouse pot experiments, laboratory in vitro hatching and mortality assays, and chemical analysis to test the hypothesis that the non-host Asteraceae plant vegetable black-jack (Bidens pilosa) suppresses infection of the PPN Meloidogyne incognita in two susceptible Solana...
Abstract The study focuses on the analysis of the interface between the Vision 20:2020 and food production in Nigeria. The thrust of the study however is to find out how the enunciation and implementation of Vision 20:2020 has impacted on food security in Nigeria. Specifically, the study interrogates the impact of the Vision 20:2020 on food importation, production of livestock and fishery as well as crops. Relying on Marxist instrumentalist theory derived from the radical models of economic p...
ABSTRACT Nunu is a spontaneously fermented yoghurt-like milk product consumed as a staple food commodity invirtually all parts of the Country. Its production and consumption gives way to much food security and economic benefits to the rural people. However, the process characteristics result in products which are not appealing to many people, have very short shelf-life and could have food safety concerns. In a framework of research to improve the product quality and increase consumption, a st...
Abstract: Potato is an important tuberous vegetable crop in Ethiopia. It is production is constrained by arthropod pests, nutrient depletion of soil and diseases. Among the arthropod pests, two-spotted spider mite (TSSM) is one of the major pests affecting potato production in eastern Hararghe, Ethiopia. To tackle this problem, the survey was undertaken to assess the status of TSSM on the irrigated potato. The data were collected from ninety-six potato producers from October to March in Hara...
ABSTRACT Cotton production plays an important role in farmers’ livelihood in the Gezira State in the Sudan. Cotton is the main cash crop produced in the scheme. However, sustainability of cotton production in the Gezira Scheme has been an interesting issue, especially, after the noticeable deterioration of the cotton industry in the last few years. This study determined the environmental and economic sustainability of cotton production in the Gezira Scheme as perceived by farmers who are t...
Tomato is a popular vegetable in Kenya and is extensively grown by small-scale farmers. In spite of the economic benefits to the farmers, insect pests remain one of the most significant constraints to tomato production. Current insect pests control measures rely on pesticides despite the known hazards to human health and the environment. Repeated use of pesticides has also led to the development of resistance by pests. Therefore, it is important to evaluate other pest control strategies ...
ABSTRACT Experiment to investigate the effects of inorganic and organic fertilizers on growth and yield of Basella alba(Indian spinach) was conducted at the Horticultural nursery, University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun state between the months of February-May 2011. Three fertilizer sources (NPK 20-10-10 and Tithonia based compost at rate of 250kg per hectare, poultry manure at rate of 3 tons per hectare) were used. Treatments were arranged in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) and ...
Abstract: Tomato (Solanum lycopersicon L), is one of the most common and important vegetable crops in the world with over 18,477 hectares under tomato production in Kenya. Tomato production is however, greatly threatened by bacterial wilt (BW). Bacterial wilt, caused by Ralstonia solanacearum is a serious disease in the tropics and subtropics, causing severe losses in many agricultural crops. To control its infection, several measures have been deployed but with minimum success. Alternative ...
This study is a comparative analysis of Brecht's theory of presentational theatrical production with the Tiv Kwagh-hir theatre showing both the similarities and differences. Broadly speaking, both the Brechtian Epic theatre and the Kwagh-hir theatre share the same approach to production. The Kwagh-hir as paradigm for the African traditional theatre shows that from time immemorial productions follow the Brechtian presentational style of production because it is essentially a story telling...
ABSTRACT East African farmers have been facing low crop productivity as indicated by low yields of major staples, maize and rice, leading to food insecurity. As a result, the respective governments have offered solutions such as the introduction of high yielding maize and rice varieties. Farmers have expanded their farms into productive areas such as wetlands in an attempt to increase output to counter the effects of climate change complications, population pressure, and the declining product...
Agriculture forms the backbone of Kenya's economy contributing 30% of the country's GDP. However, little is known about the prices, supply and demand of fruits and vegetables. Market price information is a very important agricultural concern which can be enhanced by big data and machine learning techniques like predictive analytics. This research work was based on developing an agricultural commodity price prediction application that uses a machine learning model on appropriate data to facili...
ABSTRACT Aquaculture in the sub-Sahara Africa will grow by 8.3 percent from its current 1.2 percent over the next 20 years. The growth trend will lead to high demand for inputs for fish production, especially fishmeal and fish oil, and can threaten the sustainability of fish farming in Ghana. There is the need to consider cost of production because of high protein needs of tilapia and other fish species currently being farmed. This study intended to investigate the cost and availability of i...
Abstract: The tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is an invasive pest that devastates the production of tomatoes and other solanaceous vegetables. Since its transAtlantic invasion in 2006, T. absoluta has spread and established in many countries across the AfroEurasian Supercontinent, causing huge yield losses. This study aimed to determine the relationship between temperature and the life history traits of T. absoluta and provide the thermal thresholds for d...
Abstract/Overview Commelina species are plant resources full of promise as future food and feed that thrive in diverse ecosystems. They are medicinal plants, leafy vegetables, forage for ruminants, feed for cricket insects, crop protection, and fuel. However, information regarding factors driving Commelina in agro-ecological zones in Western Kenya is lacking. Therefore, we investigated the diversity of Commelina species, the composition of associated weed species as well as environmental ...