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Influence of Gender on Farmers’ level of Involvement in Bambara Production Activities in Western Kenya
Get PDFAims: The study was conducted to determine the relationship of gender and farmer’s involvement
in the production activities of Bambara groundnut, the local crop which is intended for productionfor-use.
Study Design: Interview and a questionnaire were administered to 120 farmers in two districts.
The districts neighbor each other and do share common ecological attributes and therefore,
provided sufficient population for the study.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in 2009 in Mumias and Butere Districts of
Original Research Article
Oyugi et al.; AJAEES, 4(3): 231-246, 2015; Article no.AJAEES.2015.024232
Western Kenya.
Methodology: Level of involvement of farmers’ in bambara production activities was measured by
farmers’ participation in land preparation, planting, weeding, pest control, harvesting, drying,
threshing and winnowing. A production activities index (P.A.I) was computed.
Results: The findings indicate that the significant relationship between gender and participation of
farmers in production activities of Bambara groundnut. The study revealed that a majority of the
respondents in Mumias were females while those in Butere were males. However, in general, there
were more female than male farmers involved in the production of Bambara groundnut in Mumias
and Butere Districts. The overall mean age for the farmers was 43.9 years which is similar for the
age representation of rural farmers according to most studies. The farmers in the study area
practiced agriculture on an average of ¼ an acre. The highest acreage was found to be
approximately 16 and 18 acres for Butere and Mumias respectively. On education level, farmers
were found to be literate with 51.7% of the farmers having reached primary level, 39.2% secondary
level and 4.2% tertiary level which are in contrast with other studies that have established high
illiteracy level of among rural farmers. Results of data analysis revealed that involvement level of
female farmers was higher than the male farmers in production activities in the two. For Production
Activities Index; female farmers’ PAI = 2.7 while male farmers’ PAI = 1.9.
Conclusion: Results of data analysis revealed that involvement level of female farmers was higher
than the male farmers in production activities in the two Districts with female farmers exhibiting a
higher level of involvement. Extension agents should make female farmers their priority in trying to
revive production of the crop.
Keywords: Bambara; farmers; gender; production activities index
Genetic Diversity of Dry Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Accessions of Kenya Using SSR Markers
Get PDFAims: To determine the genetic diversity existing within the Kenyan dry bean using SSR markers.
Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted in Western Kenya and Bangor
University, North Wales, between September 2010 and December 2012.Methodology: Thirty five (35) marketable dry bean samples collected from farmers, market centers as well as seed stockists were subjected to SSR analysis. Data generated was subjected to analysis with the GenAlEx 6.4 software assuming Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium to determine gene diversity index, number of polymorphic loci and alleles, genetic distances, analysis of molecular Original Research Article
Maryrose et al.; AJEA, 5(4): 306-319, 2015; Article no.AJEA.2015.030
307
variance (AMOVA) and principal components analysis (PCA). NYTS-pc 2.1 software was used to
construct an unweighted pair group method arithmetic averages (UPGMA) dendogram using the
generated similarity coefficients.
Results: Of the 7 SSR primers tested, 5 SSR primers were found to be polymorphic and used to
screen the bean samples. The 5 primer combinations generated 49 polymorphic bands in 35
samples. Analysis of molecular variance accredited 8% of the disparity to diversity among the
populations while the majority of the diversity (92%), resided within populations. The gene diversity
index ranged from 0.1267 in the market population to 0.2377 in the Western province population.
The highlands of Eastern province had a gene diversity index of 0.1475 while the dry lands had
0.1991. Cluster analysis segregated the bean samples into 9 clusters.
Conclusion: There exists considerable variation in the dry bean of Kenya that is narrowing. There
is need to intensify efforts to broaden the bean variation for sustainability. The population genetics
of dry beans of Kenya are a possible guide to future bean breeding and germplasm management in
Kenya.
Keywords: SSRs; Phaseolus vulgaris; dry bean; germplasm characterization; and genetic variatio
Financial Deepening And Economic Competitiveness In Kenya: The Strides To Being An Economic Power House
Get PDFEconomists have long held the view that financial deepening and economic development are closely intertwined. Kenya’s development blue print, Vision 2030, is anchored on this belief and aims to create a vibrant, globally competitive financial sector, envisioning Kenya as a leading financial centre in Eastern and Southern Africa. Using descriptive survey design, this study investigated the state of financial deepening in Kenya and how this enhances the country’s economic competitiveness. Data was collected from a key informant in the four largest banks by asset base that have subsidiaries/branches in other East African countries using a structured questionnaire. It focused on Mobile banking, Agency banking and credit referencing as indicators of financial deepening and established that Kenya has made remarkable strides in financial deepening, which has enhanced the country’s competitiveness through wider access of
financial services, reduced operation and transaction costs, product diversification, superior customer experience and reduced loan default rates
Use of soil streptomycetes from Maseno (Kenya to inhibit growth of Pyriculariagriseainvitro cultures
Get PDFThe most serious biotic constraint to finger millet worldwide is blast caused by the fungus
Pyricularia grisea. Its management has been very challenging. However not a formidable control solution has been offered and therefore a need for other approachs. Actinomycetes belong to the phylum proteobacteria, they are gram +ve, terrestrial or aquatic with high guanine and cytosine content. Soil actinomycetes have antagonistic activity against a wide range of plant pathogens.This study isolated and characterizes some soil actinomycetes in Maseno area (Western Kenya) and studied their antifungal effect on P. grisea pathogenic on finger millet. Soil sample collected was dissolved in distilled water, homogenized and spread over modified Kuster’s agar. Colonies of actiomycetes were isolated as from the fourth day of incubation. . Finger millet heads and leaves displaying symptoms of blast were collected and Pyricularia grisea isolated on autoclaved
powered finger-millet debris and maintained on PDA. A single steak of actinomycetes culture was made on a fresh Kuster’s agar and incubated for 3-4 days at 26 0C -28°C, and P. grisea, 20 mm, at right angles to the original streak of actinomycetes. The results indicate that isolates AT2 and AT4 are pathogenic to Pyricularia grisea and can be a basis for bio-control of blast in finger millet.
Keywords: Finger milet, actinomycetes, pyricularia, proteobacteria, kuster’s agar, biopesticid
The efficacy of retirement plans and flexible scheduling in improving the quality of service delivery among civil servants in Nandi south Kenya
Get PDFRetirement plans and flexible scheduling guides most organizations and is part of most complaints of citizen’s due to poor service in government counties such complaints was reflected during the year 2002 Constitutional Referendum in Kenya which in part called for an overhaul of the civil service structure through various Civil Service Reform Programmes and major reshuffles. This paper highlighted therefore the effects of these variables in service delivery within Civil Service offices in Kenya: A case of Nandi south. Stratified random sampling techniques were used to select 350 employees of Nandi south. Data collected through the use of questionnaires was analyzed using both descriptive and regression statistics. Descriptive findings revealed that there was low
level of retirement plan services to the employees of Nandi south. Nevertheless, high levels of Flexible Scheduling services among employees were observed an indicator that retirement plans in the Workplace had significant effect on Service Delivery.
Keywords: Services Delivery, Workplace, Retirement Plans and Flexible Schedulin
Financial Innovation as a Competitive Strategy: The Kenyan Financial Sector
Get PDFThe world business environment is rapidly changing and becoming intensely competitive. In this context, most organizations are realizing that knowledge is the most important resource in creating sustainable competitive advantage. Knowledge management (KM) as a discipline is designed to provide strategy, process, and technology to increase organizational efficiency and effectiveness. The survival and success of a firm are dependent on the capacity of management to generate new ideas. One such a topical idea is financial innovations. Economies and businesses across the world have embraced creativity and innovation to circumvent market imperfections. Kenya as an economy has been hailed as a regional financial hub. This paper is a narrative review seeking to establish the extent of financial innovation in Kenya and how this enhances competitiveness. The research finds out that the Kenyan financial sector has made some remarkable strides towards financial innovations. However, it is noted that there is still enormous untapped potential that can enhance Kenya’s economy further.
Keywords: knowledge management (KM), financial innovations, market imperfection
Strategic Extension and Perceived Usefulness of Emerging Technologies in the North Indian Banks: An Empirical Analysis
Get PDFTechnology advancement has changed the way banking business is done globally, where data Diasporas has become a great concern for management and operations of the financial service industry. This paper is an attempt to investigate the current innovation trends in banks with reference to technology-tailored services. All the services newly introduced in banks have been considered in the discussion. Primary survey has been considered to know the opinions of150 bank
employees regarding the implementation of self-services in banks. For data analysis, statistical techniques such as weighted average score, cross tabulation and percentage analysis have been used. The results show that e-channels in the banking industry are gaining acceptance of recent past and growth trends are promising as the world over is heading to paperless, borderless and timeless economies.
Key words: Technology, e-channels, Services, e-banking
Secondary School Teachers’ Perceptions of a Biology Constructivist Learning Environment in Gem District, Kenya
Get PDFThis study investigated the teachers’ perceptions of actual and preferred constructivist biology learning environment. The study adopted a survey design. Data were collected from a sample of 41 biology teachers from Gem District, Kenya using a 20-item Teacher Perception Questionnaire (TPQ) which is a modified version of Constructivist Learning Environment Survey (CLES), the teachers’ version. The TPQ consisted of two forms which are “Actual” and “Preferred”.
While the actual form assessed the current biology learning environment, the preferred form assessed the teacher perception of a constructivist learning environment. The data were analyzed using paired t-test. The results showed that the teachers’ scores on the preferred form of some scales (Personal relevance, uncertainty and student negotiation) were significantly different from the actual form (p< 0.05). On the other hand the teachers’ scores for scales of critical voice
and shared control scales of actual and preferred forms of TPQ were not statistically significant (p< 0.05). The implications of the study for practice and further research are discussed
Curing reduces postharvest deterioration of biozyme® produced potatoes ( Solanum tuberosum L.)
Get PDFPotato is among food crops that are heavily relied upon for food security assurance worldwide. Potato tubers are consumed in their fresh form and therefore require proper storage to prolong their life after harvest. Being succulent, massive losses result if bruised, exposed to light and low relative humidity. The present experiment was conducted to find optimal conductions that prolong the shelf-life of potato tubers grown using the biomass and succulence enhancing Biozyme® Potatoes were grown in a split plot experiment, arranged in a randomized complete block design. The experiment was replicated three times and repeated once. Main plots were assigned to potato cultivar (Tigoni and Asante), while subplots were assigned to Biozyme® foliar feed rate (0, 125, 250, 500 and 750 ml/ha). Each subplot was planted with 28 seed potato tubers spaced at 30 cm x 70 cm in four rows. A distance of 1 m separated adjacent subplots and main plots. After harvesting, ware potato tubers, from each treatment, were divided into four groups for four postharvest handling regimes (Cured + Dark, Cured + Room, Not Cured + Dark, and Not Cured + Room Storage). Each postharvest regime had 20 tubers, replicated four times. Weight loss, shrinkage and rotting percentages increased, but firmness decreased with
increase in Biozyme® rate. The deterioration was counteracted by Curing and Dark Storage of the potato tubers that reduced weight loss, shrinkage and rotting, but increased firmness. Thus, foliar-feeding potato plants with 500 ml/ha Biozyme® followed by Curing and Dark Storage of harvested tubers are recommended to ensure high potato tuber yields
and effective reduction of premature postharvest deterioration of the tubers during storage.
KEYWORDS : Firmness, Rotting, Shelf-life, Shrinkage, Tuber handling, Weight loss
Tithonia Manure improves carrot yield and quality
Get PDFA study on the effect of decomposed tithonia manure on growth, yield and quality of Carrot (Daucus carota L.) was undertaken in the Horticulture, Research and Teaching field, Egerton University for two seasons. The field experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block design (RCBD), with 3 replications. The treatments consisted of four levels of decomposed tithonia manure (0, 1.5, 3.0 and 4.5 t/ha). Data was subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and significant treatment means separated using the Turkey’s Honestly Significant Difference Test at P ≤ 0.05. Application of Tithonia diversifolia manure resulted in increase in total fresh root weight, dry root and shoots biomass and root volume compared to the control. Total yield of carrots subjected to 3.0 t/ha increased by 33% and 18% in season 1 and 2 respectively compared to control. The sweetness of carrot was influenced at the highest level of tithonia.
Key words: Nutrient, Carrot yield, quality, brix content, biomass