Dear Reader As you store your harvest and get ready for the planting season, this edition provides information to guide you in minimizing post- harvest losses of maize and potatoes. Are you struggling with the decision on what variety of seeds to plant before the short rains begin? Read on to identify maize seed varieties […]
TOF Magazine August Edition 2021 Read More »
Honey is mostly applied on bread or added to tea as a sweetener. As concerns about the safety of food products in the market rise, it is important to know ways in which to distinguish pure honey and honey that is impure either because it has been diluted for increased quantity or sweetened with unhealthy
How to distinguish pure honey from adulterated honey. Read More »
Pneumonia is an inflammation that affects lungs and surrounding tissues and is one of the common conditions that affects sheep and goats. It is commonly caused by infectious agents, that is bacteria and virus. Common viruses that cause pneumonia include Parainfluenza virus type 3, and Adenovirus while common bacteria that cause pneumonia include Pasteurella, mycoplasma,
What you need to know about Pneumonia in sheep and goats Read More »
By Violet Agweya My name is Patrick Lukanga from Kajiado. My chickens are not laying eggs. What could be the problem? Thank you for posting this question Patrick. One of the major reasons why laying chickens may start laying fewer eggs or stop laying altogether is the diet they are fed. An improved nutrition can
Reasons why your chickens are not laying eggs Read More »
It’s the onset of a cold season, which usually starts from late June to October. Most farmers consider this season as the period to wind down their routine pest management practices. This is because the population levels of most insect pests decrease remarkably. Examples of such pests include aphids, whiteflies, thrips, spider mites, mealy bugs,
CROP PESTS AND DISEASES IN THE COLD SEASON Read More »
By Charei Munene Bean anthracnose is a seed-borne disease caused by the fungus Colletotrichum lindemuthianum. This disease causes severe losses to bean farmers in Kenya. The fungus infects leaves, stems, and pods of common bean plants, especially in the cold season, often killing the bean plant at a young age. This disease reduces yields by
Bean Anthracnose Disease Read More »
By Beritah Mutune Introduction On May 20, 2021, the world was celebrating The World Bee Day, to acknowledge the role played by bees in food production and life sustenance. One out of every three bites of food we eat exists because of pollinators, including many fruits and vegetables. Healthy ecosystems also depend on pollinators. Pollinators
Let us protect the bees Read More »
By Esther Mwoloi In the previous publication we had identified some of the problems that farmers are likely to encounter in the farm during the rainy season. Farmers growing common crops such as maize, beans and green grams are likely to battle with fall army worm, stem borers and aphids. Ms Njeri Kinuthia, a seasoned
How to control common pests that attack plants Read More »
Charles Kimani The onset of rains marks the beginning of a busy calendar for farmers and this year is no exception despite the poor rainfall distribution. For Maximum yields, farmers should remain vigilant and practice good agronomy practices for both plant and animals. In this issue of TOF, we feature some of the common challenges
Plants and animal diseases to watch out for during the rainy season. Read More »
Goats and sheep were the earliest domesticated animals in human history. Goat milk not only fetches a higher price than cow milk, it is also more nutritious. Dairy goat keeping is lucrative for farmers moving away from traditional dairy cow rearing. Currently, Kenya’s dairy sub-sector contributes about eight per cent of the Gross Domestic Product
Dairy goat rearing for health and wealth Read More »
