There are various agricultural residues that are produced in both small- and large-scale farms. In Kenya, most of the farm left overs includes; rice straw, rice husks, maize copes (corn stover) and wheat straws. The residues in many farms are used as fodder for animals, landfill or others will end up being burnt during land […]
RESIDUE RETENTION: ENRICHING YOUR SOIL FOR THE NEXT PLANTING SEASON Read More »
Here comes the harvesting season, when farmers are expected to reap from their hard work. Despite extreme weather in previous seasons, we are optimistic of good yields. This edition focuses on harvesting and storage techniques for staple foods such as maize and vegetables. We highlight good practice in harvesting maize, new technologies that make threshing
TOF Magazine Issue 221 August- September 2024 Edition Read More »
Forage grasses to grow for your dairy cattle By David Njenga Cultivating forage crops on the farm is a cost-effective approach for feeding dairy cattle as feeding cost constitute about 70-80% of the cost of production. There are different varieties of fodder crops and this article focuses on grasses that farmers can grow highlighting optimal
Forage grasses to grow for your dairy cattle Read More »
By Grace Kinyanjui Maize is targeted by several pests, which cause significant yield losses. The most damaging pests are the caterpillars (larvae) of Fall armyworm and other night-flying moths such as African armyworm, cutworms, and African maize stalk borer. Other important pests include spotted stem borers, maize beetles, earworms, leafhoppers (vectors of maize streak virus),
Principles of agroecological management of maize pests Read More »
Maize and Beans are the two most common crops in the country, in this issue we feature some of the Maize and Beans Variety suitable for the short rain season. The key to realizing better yields starts with the selection of the right seed for your region as the quality of seeds determines
Use the Right Beans & Maize Seed Variety for Better Yields Read More »
SILAGE MAKING By Dr Jesse Kagai To make silage, you need to have excess fodder during the season of feed abundance to be used in the season of feed scarcity. Silage making has a cost involved and can only be cost-effective if what is being preserved is in excess of what is being consumed by
My name is Rahab Njeri, a farmer based in Molo. I grow crops such as vegetables, potatoes, green peas and maize. In the past, I would use three bags of synthetic fertilizers per acre during planting and two bags per acre for top dressing, which is very costly. High cost of farm inputs is a
Molo farmer discovers Mazao Flourish; beckons farmers to try it out Read More »
By Dr Ann Wachira Newcastle disease (ND) affects birds globally, and chicken are particularly vulnerable. It is caused by a virus called avian paramyxovirus serotype type 1 (APMV-1). There are five types of APMV-1 strains, which are categorized based on their strength in chicken: a) strong and affecting organs (viscerotropic velogenic), b) strong and affecting
Understanding Newcastle Disease Read More »
How Farmer – processor radio conversations became the key in unlocking banana markets access potential. The small-scale farmer in Kenya is today plagued with more challenges than ever. Even after the farmer navigates successfully the challenges of climate change, declining soil fertility, proliferation of fake seeds and other input, combat with pests and diseases and
EOA-I success stories for Phases I & II.Phase II, which commenced in 2019 and ended in 2023, built on thesuccesses of Phase I, which was implemented for four years (2014-2018).
EOA INTIATIVE SUCCESS STORIES. Read More »