Morphological Variation in the Wild-Weedy Complex of Sorghum bicolor In Situ in Western Kenya: Preliminary Evidence of Crop-to-Wild Gene Flow?

Crop wild relatives are important components of agroecosystems and have over the years been exploited in breeding programs as sources of genes for novel traits. Information on the extent and patterns of variability is important in formulating effective conservation and utilization strategies for existing crop wild relative populations. We conducted surveys and collections of wild and weedy accessions of Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench in Lambwe Valley in western Kenya in order to investigate occurrence, distribution, and morphological variability in the wild-weedy complex of S. bicolor under local agroecological conditions. We also attempted to understand the role, if any, of crop-to-wild gene flow in structuring variability within and among populations. The morphological data presented here showed wide variability within wild-weedy sorghum populations with respect to habitats and morphotypes. True wild sorghum populations in national parks and the sugarcane belt were clearly distinguishable from the putative hybrids or intermediate forms found in sorghum fields, in sorghum field margins, and, to some extent, by the roadside near sorghum fields. The existence of these intermediate forms is empirical evidence of introgression between cultivated sorghum and its wild-weedy relatives. Extensive introgression, especially within in situ conservation areas and/or in areas of high diversity, would lead to genetic erosion and possible depletion of these important wild sorghum genetic resources

Salinity Reducing Food Security and Financial Returns from Rice Production in Rwanda

Rice is a crucial food crop and source of income for smallholder farmers in Rwanda. Its annual consumption in 2012 was estimated at about 104,000 tons with about 48,000 tons of this covered from imports. In recognition of the great potential of rice in improving food security and household incomes, the government of Rwanda and donors have invested over US$10 Million to improve rice production. The average rice yield is estimated at 5 tons/ha but the government rice policy is targeting 7 tons/ha through improved seeds and better agronomy. Most of rice production is done in the marshland. Patches of some crucial marshlands have started exhibiting stunted rice growth, yellowing and low crop yields of less than 3 tons/ha irrespective of use of the right seeds and good agronomy, hence threatening the rice improvement targets. Recently, we evaluated one of the marshlands (Muvumba marshland) to understand the causes for such yield decline. The marshland was demarcated into affected and non-affected patches. The visual and lab analysis of soil and water from affected patches linked declining rice yields to salinity suggesting gradual development of salinity in Muvumba marshland. This paper uses Muvumba data to discuss salinity, the indicators, potential impact of salinity on returns to rice production. Salinity decreased rice yields by about 30$ 1,500 per hectare of affected patches in Muvumba. We recommend remediation of salinity through improved drainage and better fertilizer management. In case these measures do not work, salt tolerant rice species should be adopted for these sites

Livestock solutions to regenerate soils and landscapes for sustainable agri-food systems transformation in Africa

Agri-food systems approaches have gained international recognition over the last years. The role of livestock—both in mixed crop-livestock and pastoral systems—in sustainable agri-food systems transformation remains contested. In this review paper we present new analyses of original data from an international livestock expert survey, a quantitative search in Web of Science, and a literature review to unravel the potential for livestock systems to sustainably transform agri-food systems through regenerating soils and restoring degraded landscapes. We (i) illustrate how livestock is important for people and planet alike; (ii) review how to harness livestock's potential for rehabilitation of soils and landscapes; (iii) demonstrate successful case studies of livestock solutions such as improved forages for cut-and-carry systems and grazing management; and (iv) identify four critical steps required for lasting change at continental scale. We conclude that livestock solutions can be key catalysts for sustainable agri-food systems transformation that merit accelerated public and private investments. More research is needed to develop concrete, operational and practical livestock solutions, and measure, monitor and report their contributions and progress toward the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

Agricultural production and food security implications of Covid-19 disruption on small-scale farmer households: Lessons from Kenya

A range of studies have highlighted the negative impacts of Covid-19 disruptions on incomes, food and nutrition security among rural agricultural communities in developing countries. However, knowledge of how such disruptions affect different categories of small-scale farmers in Sub-Sahara Africa is lacking. We used a mixed-method approach to collect data and determine the impacts of Covid-19 on farm input use, agricultural production, access to agricultural information services, and food security among small-scale farmers from Makueni, Nakuru, Siaya, Kakamega, and Bungoma counties in Kenya. A FAO-adapted farm household typology was developed with farm type 3 (wealthiest), farm type 2 (resource-constrained) and farm type 1 (most resource-constrained) farmer categories. Covid-19 related disruptions led to decreased use of improved seeds, fertilizers and access to extension services across the three farmer categories. Farm type 3 farmers recorded the lowest Covid-19 disruption driven reduction in the use of improved seeds and fertilizers, compared to farm type 2 and 1. Contrariwise, farmers increased manure application rates by 33%, with manure-associated expenditure rising by 129% across all counties. Average crop incomes decreased in three of the five study counties, i.e., Kakamega, Nakuru and Siaya, with the strongest decrease observed among farmers in type 1 and 2 households. A lower proportion of type 3 farmers were worried about not having enough food (43% of farmers) compared to type 1 (70%) and type 2 farmers (71%) across Counties. The sale of household assets and livestock commonly used as measures for household wealth implies that such disruptions leave vulnerable farmers poorer and hungrier. The findings propose that policy strategies are needed to recognize heterogenous Covid-19 effects and provide targeted interventions for household types most vulnerable to future disruptions of the agrifood system

Regulation of asset-backed securities in Kenya : a comparative analysis

Kenya has had a substantive legal framework for asset-backed securities (ABS) since 2007 but is yet to see its first ABS issuance to date. The Capital Markets Act, Chapter 485A, Laws of Kenya, as well as the Capital Markets (Asset-backed Securities) Regulations, 2007 have been decried as being inadequate; but without significant study into the legal and regulatory inequities thereof. ABS are securities that entitle investors to a return principally based on the cash-flows attributable to underlying securitised receivables. Such receivables may include mortgages, car and student loans, which when amassed may pose liquidity challenges to their originators. Thus an efficient ABS market would provide diverse wider financing options for originators and possibly ease access to credit. This dissertation then seeks to investigate the failings of Kenya?s regulatory landscape on ABS, with a focus on the intricacies of the true sale of the receivables, choice and structuring of special-purpose vehicles (SPVs), bankruptcy-remoteness of SPVs, taxation obligations and other legal and policy perspectives. The review is compared against the lessons gleaned in Africa?s largest securitisation market, South Africa, while recognising the difference in legal systems with Kenya. The United Kingdom is an additional comparator due to the common law similarities as well as the development of its capital markets. The dissertation identifies key conflicts and ambiguities in Kenya?s ABS framework, as well as critiquing current attempts at remedying them. Summarily, it provides an unexplored view into the potential workings of ABS as a source of finance in Kenya.Mini Dissertation (LLM)--University of Pretoria, 2016.Mercantile LawLLMUnrestricte

Soil degradation in sub-Saharan Africa and crop production options for soil rehabilitation

Soil degradation associated with poor soil fertility management practices is a major factor underlying poor agricultural productivity in sub-Saharan Africa. About 65% of the agricultural land is degraded, mainly due to low nutrient application, soil erosion and soil acidification. Increased fertilizer use and balanced nutrient management in combination with various organic matter inputs offer the best prospects to reverse soil degradation

4Kenya School of Government

ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT A pigeonpea fallow-maize crop rotation trial was carried out over a period of 4 seasons in western Kenya. The trial compared six high altitude long duration pigeonpea varieties i.e. ICEAP 00020, ICEAP 00040, ICEAP 00048, ICEAP 00053, ICP 9145 and ICP 13076 and a medium duration variety i.e. ICP 13211 for productivity, post fallow maize crop yield and financial returns indicators. Long duration pigeonpea varieties take 140-180 days to mature while medium duration varieties take >200 days to mature. Continuous maize cropping acted as a control. Depending on the variety, pigeonpea grain yield ranged between 1.3 and 1.9 t ha -1 . Post fallow maize grain yield from each of pigeonpea variety plot was approximately 3 fold higher than yield from continuous maize plots. The medium duration pigeonpea plots yielded significantly higher maize grain than the long duration (ICEAP 00053, ICEAP 00040) pigeonpea variety plots. Relative to the control, incremental returns to land were highest for medium duration pigeonpea fallow plots (619 USD ha -1 ) and lowest for ICEAP 00040 fallow plots (305 USD ha -1 ). We estimated that by selecting an appropriate pigeonpea variety for a fallow-maize rotation system, a household could produce sufficient food for consumption and remain with a surplus of approximately 2.8 tons for sale. For widespread adoption of pigeonpea based technologies in western Kenya, there is a need for policy improvement on issues related to improved seed production systems, cost of fertilizers, extension services, and market for the end products

Morphological Variation in the Wild-Weedy Complex of Sorghum bicolor In Situ in Western Kenya: Preliminary Evidence of Crop-to-Wild Gene Flow?

Crop wild relatives are important components of agroecosystems and have over the years been exploited in breeding programs as sources of genes for novel traits. Information on the extent and patterns of variability is important in formulating effective conservation and utilization strategies for existing crop wild relative populations. We conducted surveys and collections of wild and weedy accessions of Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench in Lambwe Valley in western Kenya in order to investigate occurrence, distribution, and morphological variability in the wild-weedy complex of S. bicolor under local agroecological conditions. We also attempted to understand the role, if any, of crop-to-wild gene flow in structuring variability within and among populations. The morphological data presented here showed wide variability within wild-weedy sorghum populations with respect to habitats and morphotypes. True wild sorghum populations in national parks and the sugarcane belt were clearly distinguishable from the putative hybrids or intermediate forms found in sorghum fields, in sorghum field margins, and, to some extent, by the roadside near sorghum fields. The existence of these intermediate forms is empirical evidence of introgression between cultivated sorghum and its wild-weedy relatives. Extensive introgression, especially within in situ conservation areas and/or in areas of high diversity, would lead to genetic erosion and possible depletion of these important wild sorghum genetic resources.This article is from International Journal of Plant Sciences 173 (2012): 507–515, doi:10.1086/665266. Posted with permission.</p