#Mwea irrigation scheme

[farmerstrend]

The Decline of Wheat Farming in Kenya as Farmers Shift to Maize Farming

The area under cultivation of wheat in Kenya has been falling since 2019 as farmers shift to maize farming, according to data from the KNBS. In 2023, the area under wheat cultivation was 104,440 hectares compared to 2022 when it was 119,554 hectares, with production decreasing as a result. On the flip side, maize cemented its position as a staple food crop with the area dedicated to maize…

[sadisweetomi]

African scientists root for hybrid rice to beat climate-induced hunger crisis

The Large-scale adoption of hybrid rice, which has proved effective in withstanding climatic stresses, pests and diseases, is paramount to tackling Africa's hunger and malnutrition crisis, scientists have said.

NAIROBI, -- The large-scale adoption of hybrid rice, which has proved effective in withstanding climatic stresses, pests and diseases, is paramount to tackling Africa's hunger and malnutrition crisis, scientists have said.

Emmanuel Okogbenin, African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) director for program development and commercialization, noted that the introduction of improved rice varieties will boost food security and tackle rural poverty in the continent.

"We are encouraging farmers to adopt hybrid rice that is adaptable to different ecologies and whose yield levels are high, which is key to food security and improved incomes for rural communities," Okogbenin said.

He spoke during a tour of the Mwea irrigation scheme in central Kenya, where AATF has facilitated the introduction of hybrid rice to test its resilience in the face of extreme weather events, invasive pests, and diseases.

According to Okogbenin, hybrid rice introduced in central Kenya has registered a doubling of yields at the small-holder level besides boosting the socioeconomic status of farmers.

He stressed that the unfolding climate crisis in Africa, coupled with the spread of voracious pests, diseases, and loss of soil fertility, calls for a shift from conventional to improved rice varieties.



Sheila Ochugboju, executive director of the Alliance for Science, called upon African governments, research institutions, and industry to facilitate the deployment of improved rice varieties to small-holder farmers as part of climate adaptation in the agriculture sector.

Ochugboju added that extension services in Africa should be revamped to help farmers access information, improved seeds, fertilizer, and modern post-harvest storage facilities.

She noted that hybrid rice is not only climate smart but is also rich in nutrients and ideal for tackling growing micronutrient deficiency among children in the continent.

Ochugboju said friendly policies and regulations, farmers' training, and investments in modern storage facilities will be key to spurring greater adoption of hybrid rice in Africa.

[briefnewschannel]

Thiba Dam tipped to increase rice output 86,000 tonnes yearly

Thiba Dam tipped to increase rice output 86,000 tonnes yearly

Economy Thiba Dam tipped to increase rice output 86,000 tonnes yearly Friday March 04 2022 Thiba Dam construction site in Kirinyaga. FILE PHOTO | NMG By GERALD ANDAEMore by this Author Summary The dam will put an additional 10,000 acres of land under the cover of rice on top of the current 25,000 acres, a major boost for local production at the Mwea Irrigation Scheme. Mwea is Kenya’s largest…

[mwarv]

Rice growing in paddies in Mwea. #Mwea #TembeaKenya #MagicalKenya #AboveKenya (at Mwea Irrigation Scheme)

[innspubnet]

Effects of inorganic nutrient P and N application on Azolla biomass growth and nutrient uptake

Effects of inorganic nutrient P and N application on Azolla biomass growth and nutrient uptake

By: WA Oyange, GN Chemining’wa, JI Kanya, PN Njiruh

Key Words: Azolla, Biomass, Nitrogen, Phosphorus.

Int. J. Agron. Agri. Res. 14(2), 1-9, February 2019.

Certification: ijaar 2019 0179 []

Abstract

Rice farmers in Mwea Irrigation Scheme routinely apply P and N fertilizers which affect water nutrient levels. A study was conducted to establish the effects of nutrient N and P application on A…

[officialphotostart]

Cruising over the Mwea Rice Paddies. ••• “The scheme was started as a detention camp for Mau Mau detainees during the height of the state of emergency. In order to establish whether rice crop could be cultivated, the colonial government carried out the first rice trials (research) in 1953. This was mainly because the whole scheme area was then used as a common grazing ground and hence there was need to set up trials in order to determine the viability of rice crop production in the area. The trials yielded positive results and in 1954 actual rice growing started in Tebere section with an area of 65 acres, picking momentum in 1956 and growing to 2478 acres in 1960.” https://www.nib.or.ke/projects/public-irrigation-schemes/mwea-irrigation-scheme (at Mwea Irrigation Scheme)

[itsmedicinesfakianakis]

Prevalence of Soil-Transmitted Helminthiases and Schistosomiasis in Preschool Age Children in Mwea Division, Kirinyaga South District, Kirinyaga County, and Their Potential Effect on Physical Growth

Intestinal parasitic infections can significantly contribute to the burden of disease, may cause nutritional and energetic stress, and negatively impact the quality of life in low income countries of the world. This cross-sectional study done in Mwea irrigation scheme, in Kirinyaga, central Kenya, assessed the public health significance of soil-transmitted helminthiases (STH), schistosomiasis, and other intestinal parasitic infections, among 361 preschool age children (PSAC) through fecal examination, by measuring anthropometric indices, and through their parents/guardians, by obtaining sociodemographic information. Both intestinal helminth and protozoan infections were detected, and, among the soil-transmitted helminth parasites, there were Ascaris lumbricoides (prevalence, 3%), Ancylostoma duodenale ( from # All Medicine by Alexandros G. Sfakianakis via alkiviadis.1961 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2xbKruO

from OtoRhinoLaryngology - Alexandros G. Sfakianakis via Alexandros G.Sfakianakis on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2xrebTY

[farmerstrend]

Study reveals invasive Apple Snail could spread further in Africa

New research led by CABI and including the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) reveals that the invasive Apple Snail – which threatens rice crops – could spread further in Africa. A team of researchers from CABI’s regional centre for Africa in Nairobi, working with KEPHIS, suggest that South West along Tana River, Western Kenya and areas coastal areas are suitable for Apple Snail…

[farmerstrend]

Mwea in Crisis: Can Kenya Control the Rat Invasion and Save its Rice Production?

Rats have invaded the Mwea Irrigation Scheme in Kirinyaga County and are wreaking havoc on rice nurseries. The rats are destroying rice seedlings and farmers express fears that they may not plant this season if the rodents are not urgently controlled. “We are worried that the rats may wipe out the seedlings in the nurseries we have prepared,” Mr Simon Njogu, a farmer, said. The farmers said the…

[innspubnet]

Rice farmers in Mwea Irrigation Scheme routinely apply P and N fertilizers which affect water nutrient levels. A study was conducted to establish the effects of nutrient N and P application on Azolla biomass accumulation. The study was conducted in a batch culture experiment, using 5g of fresh Azolla biomass samples from each of the six major paddy schemes namely: Mwea, Ahero, West Kano, Bunyala, TARDA, and Taveta. Treatments consisted of 0 and 3mg P l-1 and 0 and 200mg N l-1, laid out in a randomized complete block design replicated three times. Azolla samples were grown in batch culture plastic pots of 8.4 x 10-3m3 for 10 days using canal water, which was replenished every three days. Fresh Azolla biomass weight was recorded at 0, 5 and 10 days after inoculation. Data was subjected to analysis of variance using SAS statistical package version 9.1 and means separated using the least significant difference test (p≤0.05). The pH levels in irrigation water averaged 7.2 while N, P and K levels were 20.2, 11.6 and 15ppm respectively. Tissue N and K for Azolla accession averaged 4.2% and 1.6% respectively. Biomass accumulation and doubling time of Azolla were significantly affected by