By Miriam Muiruri WHEN YOU ASK any farmer in Kenya why they farm, the answer is usually quick and straightforward: “To earn an income.” Farming remains the backbone of Kenya’s rural economy, and for most smallholder farmers, it is their primary source of livelihood. Yet, many farmers continue to struggle to make meaningful profits from […]
Are you treating your farming enterprise like a gamble or a business? Read More »
By Dr Ann Wachira NEWCASTLE DISEASE HAS a severe impact on local chicken productivity in Kenya. It may wipe out 80-100 % of unvaccinated flocks, and we never know when it strikes. Farmers are hesitant to invest in local chicken because of this uncertainty. There is no cure for Newcastle disease in chicken. The only
Control Newcastle Disease Using Avivax-I-2 Vaccine Read More »
By Caroline Mwendwa ON GRADUATING WITH a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Engineering, Dennis Murithi worked with farmers offering extension services in installing irrigation systems and vertical garden technologies to improve crop yields. From experience, even after installing these technologies, most farmers still faced challenges in low crop yields, caused mainly by soil infertility,
Is your soil dead? Bring it to life with biochar Read More »
By Caroline Mwendwa WHEN FARMERS FACE pest challenges on their farms, they must act quickly to salvage the crop and prevent losses. Often, they will reach for a solution that they are familiar with, and one that they are sure to get immediate results from. Unbeknownst to them, the synthetic pesticide they are used to
Agripest Organic 75 EC farmers’ new organic solution against common pests Read More »
By Miriam Makato POULTRY FARMING HAS gained popularity in Kenya due to the ease in management and fast returns, as compared to other livestock enterprises such as dairy cattle keeping. However, this sector has faced a major challenge-an increase in feed prices, which has caused small scale farmers to reduce the number of birds kept
Farmer supplements poultry feed and earns some income from azolla farming Read More »
By Roseanne Mwangi BLACK SOLDIER FLY larvae farming aims at producing protein rich larvae that is very well suited as feed ingredient first for poultry, fish, pigs and pets, and then for other livestock. The protein content of BSF larvae ranges from 40% to 60%, depending on the feeding regime/ waste stream substrate that the
Value addition of BSF to make other products Read More »
By Tim Mwai Although mushrooms are classified as vegetables, technically, they are fungi. They are low in calories and sodium and have virtually no fat and no cholesterol. Mushrooms have been used as medicine for thousands of years. Growing Oyster mushroomsOyster mushrooms are a delicacy. They were introduced into the market in the 1930s. However,
Why you should grow mushrooms Read More »
By Tim Mwai Nutrition at the household level can be enhanced by ensuring that meals contain a balanced diet. To achieve this, families need to integrate various sources of nutrients in meal preparation by adding nutrients-dense ingredients to their daily meals. The Integrated CHIA and Oyster Mushroom System for Sustainable Food Value Chain in Africa
The nutritional and culinary benefits of chia seeds Read More »
By Judith Chepchumba ZOONOTIC DISEASES ARE diseases that can spread between animals and people.They are mainly spread through milk, manure,blood, fluids from either the nose or mouth and aborted fetuses. In some instances, they can be spread through air or animal bites and scratches, drinking raw milk, or eating contaminated food. The most common zoonotic
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By Pauline Mundia NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES (NCDs) are emerging as a critical health challenge in Kenya, contributing to a noticeable increase in both illness and mortality rates. In 2019, NCDs caused 119,958 deaths, which represents the highest figure recorded since 2011, when the number of deaths attributed to these diseases was 87,865. The primary NCDs affecting
Be mindful of what you eat Read More »