Smallholder farmers in the developing world should be implementing cheap and readily available solutions such as silvopastoralism, the provision of sheds, and crossbreeding to tackle the growing problem of heat stress in livestock. It is estimated that seven per cent of global cattle is affected by heat stress, a number that could rise to 65 […]
Fact Sheet: Tackling the Growing Problem of Heat Stress in Livestock Read More »
Egg eating and cannibalism are rampant in nutritionally deficient birds, which are forced to peck on others or on these shelled produce for nourishment. Mustard seed concoction is one of the most efficient ways of stopping chickens from eating eggs, a vice that causes losses to many farmers. A farmer can prick a small hole
Methods of Mitigating Egg Eating In Chicken Read More »
Two tools developed by the Kenya Agricultultural and Livestock Research Organization and Triple W Engineering to enable early planting for smallholder farmers in arid and semi-arid lands. One is meant for vertisols and the other is for lighter red soils. Many smallholder farmers in arid and semi-arid areas cannot plant on most soils until after
KALRO Developed Tools Enable Early Planting for Arid Smallholder Farmers Read More »
Small-scale poultry farmers can predict with certainty the percentage of chicks to be hatched by testing fertility for eggs against light in a cheap and simple process. The procedure, which is better known as candling, together with other practices, can lead to 100 per cent natural hatching just like in artificial incubation. A farmer does
Egg Candling: A Cost-Effective Method to Ensure 100% Natural Hatching Read More »
The University of Nairobi and Kenya’s largest agri-input supplier, Elgon Kenya Limited, have begun constructing the state-of-the-art Kantaria Agricultural Technology and Innovation Centre (KATIC) at the upper Kabete Campus, Faculty of Agriculture. According to the university, “The center’s overarching goal will be to bridge the gap between industry, academia (research and innovation), and the farming
UON, ELGON Kenya Construct Agritech Center to Bridge Farmer-Academic Divide Read More »
The Skills for Agriculture (SfA) version 2 website has been launched by CABI to help the career progression of professionals working in agriculture. Workers, employers, and educators can use the resource for a range of uses including developing job descriptions, supporting personal career planning and training needs, as well as identifying gaps in educational provision.
New Website Launched to Help Agriculture Professionals Progress in Careers Read More »
According to breakthrough field research, the use of ultra-low-energy drip irrigation is capable of saving 22–31 per cent in the capital cost of pumps and emitters. In turn, this would make drip irrigation systems more accessible to smallholder farmers. Drip Irrigation: Effective but costly for smallholders Drip Irrigation is the most efficient irrigation method achieving
Ultra-low-energy drip irrigation saves farmers up to 31% in capital costs Read More »
The fight against the devastating papaya mealybug (Paracoccus marginatus) in Kenya is being stepped up with the release of a natural enemy – Acerophagus papayae – in four more counties that run the risk of being blighted by the pest. Rapid Spread and Devastating Consequences CABI researchers found that more than half of Kenya has
Agency Steps Up Fight Against Papaya Mealybug with Natural Enemy in Kenya Read More »
A recent study conducted by CABI sheds light on the alarming consequences of the apple snail invasion on rice production and food security in Kenya and other rice-growing regions across Africa. Led by Kate Constantine, a Project Scientist at CABI, the research emphasizes the severity of the problem posed by the apple snail (Pomacea canaliculata)
Apple Snail Invasion Serious Threat to Rice Production and Food Security in Kenya Read More »
A study by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) described precision farming as a sustainable way of agricultural production to enable farmers increase production and cut on production costs while taming environmental degradation. The study indicated that farmers can reduce inputs by 30-45 per cent, increase productivity by 60 per cent and lower the