https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/729 Fri, 15 May 2026 10:53:54 GMT 2026-05-15T10:53:54Z https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6447 Effect of agro-dealers on profitability of improved indigenous chicken production among small holder farmers in Kisumu County, Kenya BWIBO, Beverly Shitandi Improved indigenous chicken production has remained low in Kisumu County, failing to bridge the supply gap of 3.9 million against a demand of 9.1 million chicken. Several efforts have been initiated by the Kisumu County government and different development partners to increase improved indigenous chicken production which have not resulted in any marked change. This implies that investments aimed at improving chicken production have not achieved desired outputs. This could be partly attributed to the weak linkages between agro-dealers and farmers. Further, there is scanty information on the effect of agro-dealers in sustaining the improved indigenous chicken input supply system and commercialization. This study sought to evaluate improved indigenous chicken farmers’ perception about services obtained from agro-dealers, determine the profit level of improved indigenous chicken farmers in Kisumu County, and determine the effect of agro-dealers on profitability of improved indigenous chicken production among small holder farmers in Kisumu County. The study was guided by the innovation theory and Clark’s dynamic theory of profit. The target population included 52,704 farmers practicing improved indigenous chicken farming on small scale in Kisumu West, Kisumu East and Kisumu Central Sub Counties. The study employed descriptive cross-sectional survey and causal-effect research design, using semi-structured questionnaires to obtain data from 384 farmers, selected using multi-stage sampling technique. A pilot study was done in Vihiga County with 40 farmers. The Cronbach’s alpha method was used to compute reliability of the research instrument which resulted in a value of 0.79. The validity of the instrument was done through face and content validity through extensive literature review. Descriptive statistics was used to characterize the improved indigenous chicken farmers, the principal component analysis and Likert scale mean score were used to evaluate improved indigenous chicken farmers’ perceptions about services obtained from agro-dealers, gross margin per bird analysis was used to determine the profitability level of improved indigenous chicken farming, and the propensity score matching was used to determine the effect of agro-dealers on profitability of improved indigenous chicken production. Results revealed that mean age of the household heads was 45 years, majority of which are male headed, with an average flock size of 57 heads. Analysis of farmer perception on agro- dealers showed that an average response score of 3.51, indicated that agro- dealers contributed positively to their enterprises and thus enhanced their competitiveness. The results further revealed that an average improved indigenous chicken farmer made an annual gross margin of KES 265 per bird. Majority of the farmers, 77%, received agro-dealer extension services. Improved indigenous chicken farmers who accessed extension services fetched higher profits by 6% annually compared to those who did not. The study recommends government and development organizations to strengthen the capacities of agrodealers, and thus improve the provision of extension services through them, to enable small holder farmers improve their profitability. Master's Thesis Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6447 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/5254 Performance of Maize Hybrids and Inbred lines under Gray Leafspot (Cercospora zea-maydis L.) infestation in western Kenya MBOGO, Peter Okoth Gray leaf spot (GLS) caused by Cercospora zea-maydis is recognized as one of the most yield limiting diseases of maize world-wide. In susceptible genotypes, yieldlosses of up to 60 percent are not uncommon. The objectives of the study were to evaluate the response of diverse maize genotypes to Gray leaf spot (GLS) infestation in western Kenya, and to determine the genetics ofGLS resistance in two maize inbred lines (CML312 and CML389). Another was to evaluate the relationship between GLS assessment methods, severity and lesion length. A total of 16 hybrids were evaluated for yield and yield components under artificial GLS infestation during the 2007/08 seasons at Maseno and at Bungoma .. Other genotypes evaluated included, 13 inbred lines, 2 FI hybrids, and F2 populations of crosses MSN21 and CML389 or CML312. Among the inbred lines, MSN21 was the most susceptible to GLS and had the highest disease severity rating. The inbred linesCML389 and CML388 and their FJ hybrids showed high levels ofGLS resistance. CML312 and CML384 showed tolerance to GLS. There was a very good correlation between the lesion length and severity ratings (r=0.9), suggesting that both could be used in disease damage assessment. The best hybrid for GLS resistance was the experimental EH9; however, it had lower grain yields compared to others. The commercial hybrids PhB3253 and Kenya Seed H516 were the most susceptible to GLS. Fifty percent of the experimental hybrids performed better than the commercial check hybrids for grain yield under artificial GLS infestation. The best hybrid was the experimental EHI0, with 32% yield advantage over the commercial checks. The frequency distribution of severity data for the F2 population of a cross between MSN21 and CML312 was continuous, suggesting that GLS tolerance is influenced by quantitative genes. A similar frequency distribution data for F2 population of a cross between MSN21 and CML389, showed 2 distinct peaks, and the genotypes Within the 2 classes fitted a 9 to 7 ratio. This suggests that the resistance to GLS in CML389 may be conditioned by at least 2 major genes, with complementary epistatic interactions. Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/5254 2009-01-01T00:00:00Z https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/5253 The effect of imazapyr - resistant maize (Zea mays L.) plant density under bean intercrop on witchweed (Striga hermonthiea (Del.) Benth), maize and bean yield ILLA, Absalom Obuya Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most important crops in East Africa serving both as a staple food and cash crop to millions of people. As a vegetable, it is produced either as green maize cobs, sweet com or baby com. Maize yields under farmers' conditions especially in the Lake Victoria Basin average 1.3 t ha-1 which is less than 25% of the potential yield. This is attributed to several factors; the greatest be"-i'ng Striga (Striga hermonthica) which is a parasitic weed attacking several crops in the grass family. A medium term technological breakthrough in form of a herbicide (imazapyr) resistant maize variety could help reduce seedbank in the soil. The main objective was to evaluate .the seasonal performance of imazapyr-resistant (IR) maize at different plant densities under bean intercrop on Striga weed and crop growth. The study was conducted for two seasons on a Striga-free field at Maseno University and on a Striga infested farmer's field in Maseno Division of Kisumu West District. The experiment was laid out as a Split plot design in three replicates with maize variety as the main plot factor at three levels (treated IR maize, untreated IR maize and WH505/H516 as commercial check varieties) and maize density as the sub-plot factor at three levels (44,444 plants ha-1, 66,666 plants ha·1 and 88,888 plants ha"). Data was collected on Striga seed count, days to first Striga emergence, crop stand, Striga incidence, Striga biomass, days to 50% flowering of the crop, crop biomass, and finally on maize and bean yield components. Data was subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOV A) at 5% using SAS computer software to test for significant differences between treatments and means separated using the Least Significant Difference (LSD). The effect of IR maize plant density on Striga seed bank was not established due to the plot sizes which could not withstand Striga seed invasion from external sources. Treated IR maize delayed Striga attachment on maize thus . suppressing Striga parasitism and any late Striga attachments had little or no parasitic effect. Increasing the plant density of treated IR maize up to 88,888 plants ha-1 led to an increase in maize yield up to 3.48 t ha-1 and this high density can still be intercropped with two rows of beans between the maize rows translating into increased returns per unit area. Treated IR maize should be planted in Striga infested fields at 75cm x 15cm with two rows of bean intercrop 15cm away from the maize rows spaced at 45cm x 15cm. Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/5253 2009-01-01T00:00:00Z https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/730 Variations in Yields and Yield Components With Geographical Location and Response of Clonal Tea (Camellia Sinensis) to Nitrogenous Fertiliser Rates in Kenya NYABUNDI, Karl Wilson Tea provides income and employment to rural populations in many countries. Tea, grown in east and west of the Rift Valley, is the leading export commodity crop in Kenya. Variable responses among genotypes to different environments and fertilizer influence growth, productivity, leaf nutrients, and quality. However, husbandry practices are uniform in all tea growing regions. These recommendations may not be optimum universally. Genotypes planted and management practices may therefore not give desired yields as resource allocation and productivity may not be optimal. Optimized regional fertilizer needs have not accompanied development of region-specific cultivars. Understanding the variations in growth parameters and yields to varying environments may help optimize husbandry practices in different regions. Responses in shoot densities, weights; growth rates and radiation interception of 20 tea clones to ambient temperatures, rainfall, humidity and saturation deficits; the nitrogen use efficiency and responses of clone TRFK 6/8 to nitrogen rates, were studied in different tea growing regions varying in altitude, in two experiments. A genotype x environment clonal evaluation experiment was established in Kangaita, Timbilil and Sotik; fertiliser rate trials were instituted in Timbilil, Changoi and Sotik, each replicated three times in RCBD. Yield and yield components responses to weather parameters varied with genotype, location and season. Shoot growth rates (Timbilil (r = 0.476)) and shoot density (Kangaita (r = 0.652)) significantly (p≤0.05)) correlated with yields. Yield and weather parameters’ contribution to yield changed with locations. Conversion efficiency, it’s constituent components and temperature, combined were related to yields. Altitude significantly determined conversion efficiency, drought reduced yields and rainfall distribution affected seasonal yield distribution. Yield increased with (p≤0.05) nitrogen application, with low responses in Timbilil. Nitrogen application between 75-300Kg N did not significantly change harvestable shoots nitrogen contents though amount of nitrogen removed with crop varied considerably. Nitrogen Use Efficiency decreased with nitrogen rates. Only Ca and Fe leaf contents varied (p≤0.001) with nitrogen rates. All leaf nutrients, except Mn varied significantly with location. No relationships existed between leaf nutrient contents and nitrogen rate at any location. Yield and yield components response to nitrogen rates varied with location and cultivars. Yield components cannot apply as yield indicators in clonal selection, universally. Leaf nutrient content may not indicate plant response to fertilization. Yield and yield components response to nitrogen varied with location. Tea crop response to fertilizer is site specific and universal application of fertilizer may only apply as general guideline but will not optimize production. Sun, 01 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMT https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/730 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z