[en] This conference covered areas like, technology delivery, compared the precision of experiments in biometrics, the role of agro-veterinary shops in animal health services,Preliminary economic evaluation,anthelmintic resistance survey,Impact of AIDS/HIV, improvement of dairy cattle productivity, dry season feeding for smallholder dairy farmers, screening of tree species, diagnosis of cowdriosis in sheep in Kenya, Camel diseases, effect of growth environment, and many others

[en] Wheat is the second most important cereal crop in Kenya but its production has not been able to meet high demand, since production is only fifty percent. The shortfall is supplemented by importation. The purpose of this study was to assess and describe farmers' perception on adoption of wheat production technologies in Njoro and Rongai divisions. One hundred and fifty (150) wheat farmers were randomly selected using stratified proportional random sampling technique. The data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. farmers perception in wheat production is favourable with 80.2% agreeing that it access to credits by farmers. This was only possible to 7.3% of the farmers. above 90% of the farmers in the two divisions exist. Farmers' perception for small-scale 3.25% as higher than 2.75% for large-scale wheat farmers with t-test-2.21 at α=0.05 for pest and disease control.s Education level and farm size significantly affected adoption, while gender and age were not significant

[en] Evaluation of 9 French bean varieties was undertaken during the period of November 2001 to April 2002 to evaluate the resistance of these varieties to thrips (Megaluthrothrips sjostedti and Frankliniella occidentalis). This was done in two planting phases using randomised complete block design with four replicates in each phase. It was evident from the study that there are significant differences in resistance to thrips by these varieties. Monel variety was found to be the most susceptible and Impala the least. Frankliniella was more abundant than Megalurothrips sjostedti during the study period. The ratio of M. sjostedti to F. occidentalis on flowers was 1:5 and 1:7 during 1^st and 2ⁿd planting respectively

[en] The study evaluated the challenges that influence sustainable resource management in the Coastal region and the opportunities available to address them. There are instances when conflicts are evident especially in regard to pastures and watering points. Most of the challenges facing quadri-economy arise from the inability of the farmers to produce enough food due exogenous shocks in the food production systems. The lack of purchasing power hitherto experienced is due to either transitory or chronic poverty currently estimated at 62% (2.4 million) of the population. The communities in the region recognizes the onus is on them to address the issues that permeate all sectors of the quadri-economy and their livelihood. They recognizes the effort of external institutions, the central government, local authorities, private sector and the civil society

[en] Major problems in irrigation management at short time-step during the season are unreliability of rainfall and absence of guidance. By considering the climate of region, crop and soil characteristics, the irrigation method and local irrigation practices, this paper presents the concept of irrigation charts. The charts are based on soil water technique. As an example irrigation chart for a typical irrigation system located in the semi-arid area in Naivasha, Kenya is presented. The chart guides the user in adjustment of irrigation interval to the actual weather conditions throughout the growing season. It is believed that the simplicity of the chart makes it a useful tool for a better utilisation of the limited irrigation water

[en] The attainment of sustainable food security in the drought-stricken sub-Saharan Africa requires farmer participatory research into the development and adaptation of agricultural technologies and their dissemination for adoption by the farmers. The Agribusiness Development Support Project (ADSP) was initiated in the Arid and semi-arid areas (ASALs) of and surrounding Baringo District to acquire test and disseminate improved vegetable varieties, with significant farmer involvement. The project aims at commercializing horticulture and seed technologies. Three superior onion varieties have been tested on-farm and found to be higher yielding than the traditional varieties. More than 9000 improved fruit tree seedlings have been sold, and their popularity is such that, in favourable weather conditions, the Centre's nurseries cannot effectively meet the demand by farmers and groups. As a result, mechanisms to enlarge the scope of the project to cover more districts and to encourage adoption in current operational area should be affected

[en] characterization of farming systems based on resources endowment was done in five districts of north rift in 1997/1999. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select districts, divisions and villages. The villages were randomly selected from each administrative agricultural division in 15 major agro- ecological zones. Key informants, who were mainly village elders, were the respondents. A total of 360 respondents were interviewed during the survey. The households were grouped into high, average and low resource groups based on key indicators of wealth status. These were: farm size, off-farm employment, number of livestock, use of external purchasable inputs, use and ownership of farm machinery. There were distinct similarities and differences in farm types based and major producer of agricultural products. Therefore these categories of farmers form favourable target groups for technology for perceptible impact on increased crop and livestock productivity

[en] A study was carried out in the coastal lowlands region of kilifi and Kwale districts to evaluate the financial impacts of two methods applied by smallholder farmers for concurrent control of ticks and tick-born diseases and trypanosomosis. the two strategies were application of synthetic pyrethroid pour-ons and rearing of cattle in netted zero-grazing units. the data was collected using rapid appraisals and cross-sectional surveys. A static simulation method was used to analyse the data. Both control strategies resulted in positive benefit cost ratios of approximately 1.5. It was concluded that these methods were economically viable and could be applied for integrated control of TBDs and trypanosomosis in areas where both are endemic

[en] Diamond black moth (DBM) Plutella xylostella L. (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) is the most serious pest of brassica in Kenya. Resistance to chemicals has been reported from various parts of the country. This research investigated brassica and non-brassica crops potential in 'push-pull' strategy toward developing an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program for DBM in Kenya. The study focused on evaluating the potential influence of selected crops on DBM oviposition, development and infestation on cabbage. Results indicate that DBM preferred to oviposition on brassica crops. No significant differences were observed on DBM development on host plants that supported full development. Minimum development was recorded on non-brassica crop Cleome gynandra, L. In field trials, the mustard, cloeme and coriander intercrops recorded significantly low infestation compared to other intercrops and demonstrated qulities which could be utilized in the development of IPM-option for the DBM

[en] A study was conducted on indigenous chicken to determine the influence of energy intake on egg production, egg and hen weight. Two summit diets were formulated containing 17 and 30% crude protein (CP). The diets were randomly allocated to 120 indigenous hens' aged 34 weeks, such that each diet was offered to the hens such that they had similar CP, Vitamin and mineral intake varying energy intake. Egg production increased (p<0.05) with increasing energy intake from 455 to 915 kj/d but egg weight was similar (p>0.05). Hen weight increased (p<0.05) as the energy intake increased from 455 to 524 kj/d and was similar (p>0.05) when energy intake increased from 524 to 915 kj/d