Background Finger millet blast disease, caused by Pyricularia oryzae, is a serious constrain of finger millet production which is threatening global food security especially to the resource poor smallholder farmers in arid and semi-arid regions. The disease adversely affects finger millet production and consumption due to its wide distribution and destruction in all finger millet growing areas of southern Asia and eastern Africa. Here, we present a study that investigated the occurrence, impact, risk factors and farmers’ knowledge and perceptions of finger millet blast in Kenya. Methods We surveyed blast disease occurrence and interviewed farmers in Bungoma and Kisii Counties of Kenya during March–April 2019. Data were analysed using SPSS statistical program. Descriptive analysis was done by calculating means, percentages, frequencies, and standard errors. Comparative statistics, chi-square and t-tests, were used to evaluate differences existing among the farm characteristics and socio-demographics and the knowledge and perceptions of blast disease and its management practices. Results Our results show that blast disease is prevalent in all surveyed areas and adversely affects the productivity of the crop leading to poor yields. The disease occurrence varied from 92 to 98%, and was significantly higher in the major finger millet growing areas compared to the minor ones. Blast occurrence was associated with rainfall, altitude, planting density, intercropping and other farming practices. In all the surveyed regions, farmers had little knowledge about blast disease identification, its detection and spread. Further, the farmers’ awareness of blast disease control was inconsistent with established practices. Conclusions Our results show mitigation of finger millet blast disease should aim at improving farmers’ adoption of best practices through development of acceptable blast-resistant finger millet varieties, use of sustainable disease management practices, fostering linkages and creating new partnerships in the production-supply chain and maintaining a functional seed system. Findings from this study provide essential insights for effective decision making and management of the disease. This is fundamental to sustainable and secure food and income for finger millet growing farmers in Kenya.
This chapter presents the results of studies on a production system calJed Dryland Eco-Farm (DEF) that addresses a range of constraints to agricultural productivity in dryland Africa. It combines the use of live hedges and alJeys of Acacia colei, "demi-Iunes" in which are planted domesticated Ziziphus mauritiania. Annual crops like pearl millet (Pellllisetumglaucu111 (L.) R.Br.), cowpeas and roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) are planted in rotation. This trial teststhe effect of the system on (1) soil erosion control, soilfertility and water use efficiency,(2) crop yield and biomass production, and (3) improving income generation and diversification. Averagepearl millet yields in the DEF were twice the control (880 vs. 430 kg ha-I) whenno mineral fertilizer was applied. With the applicationof NPK, millet yields were almost similar under both conditions (950 vs. 780 kg ha-I). Cowpea yields were on average seven times higher than the control without NPK (1,400 vs. 200 kg ha-I total biomass) andthree times with NPK (1,850 vs. 650 kg ha-J total biomass). RoselJe yield increased four times on averagewithout NPK (205 vs. 60 kg ha-I calices yield) and twotimes with NPK (234 vs. 114 kg ha-I). Therefore, the system has the potential to produce yield response similar to that of the recommended rate of 100 kg of the 15-15-15fertilizer per ha. The return to land is estimatedat US $224 for the DEF compared to US $77 for the traditional millet-cowpea system. This system has the potential to improve productivity and rural livelihood in the drylands of Africa while sustaining the naturalresources base.
Arid and semi-arid lands comprise 84% of Kenya's land, characterised by low and erratic rainfall, and increasing human and animal population. The study sought to determine producers' willingness to pay for protection of unique terroir-based agri-food products from semi-arid lands as geographical indications. The sample products comprised two commodities: mangoes from lower Eastern region of Kenya and goats from Baringo in the North Rift region. Using random parameters logit model specification, choice experiments were used to elicit the producers' willingness to pay for attributes related to design of geographical indications (GI) for agricultural products in Kenya. Mango producers attached greater value to having minimum guaranteed payments for their products and receiving price information before the start of the season. Goat producers attached higher value to where to sell the produce as well as use of collective marketing. The producers therefore view GIs as a means to reduce market failures. GIs can enhance collective participation of producers in the semi-arid regions in delimiting the production region responsible for the unique characteristics; hence increase value accruing to producers. The voluntary nature of GI requires effective coordination and governance through GI framework that can limit parallel protection groups of the same product in the same region.
Prefacevi Preface the case of West and Central Africa; Chap. 7 examines the East Africa situation; and Chap. 8 looks at the Southern Africa case. These different case studies are truly illuminating. Chapter 9 looks at options for improving plant nutrition to increase common bean productivity in Africa.There is no doubt that this book makes a very useful contribution to our knowledge on the roles of legumes not only in soil fertility management but also in fighting poverty. The two outcomes are clearly linked. Improvements in soil productivity have direct positive consequences on agricultural growth, food security and the livelihoods of the poor. Hence, when there is growth in the agricultural sector, the poor are most likely to benefit. This is especially true in a continent where over 75% depend on agriculture, which holds a high share in gross domestic product. The
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