ABSTRACT
Global population increases have expanded livestock industries and the demand for forage production. These factors have necessitated forage production with poor-quality irrigation water in semi-arid and arid regions. A greenhouse study evaluated the effect of poor-quality irrigation water on seedling growth to 90 days after planting alfalfa (Medicago sativa) and triticale [×Triticosecale Wittm. ex A. Camus (Secale × Triticum)], which were selected as representative forage crop species. Treatments were: fresh water (control; 0.7 dS m-1), brackish groundwater (BGW; 4 dS m-1), reverse osmosis concentrate (ROC; 8 dS m-1; Ca dominant), and BGW plus sodium chloride (BGW+NaCl; 8 dS m-1; Na dominant). Treatment influences on germination have been reported. This article reports the potential influence of those treatments during that 90-d period after which newly spring-seeded alfalfa would normally be harvested the first time and triticale would typically be ready to graze. Increasing salinity of the irrigation water had no effect on forage crude protein content, but it reduced acid detergent fiber and amylase-treated neutral detergent fiber (aNDF) (375, 310, 300, 319 g kg-1 aNDF for the control, BGW, ROC, and BGW+NaCl treatments, respectively; P < 0.05, SED = 15) and increased non-fiber carbohydrates. Further research at the field level and over a longer period for alfalfa is needed to validate the results of this preliminary study and to evaluate the influence of poor-quality water for irrigating these and other forage crop species.

ABSTRACT
This paper aims to evaluate the levels of dairy production (in terms of average monthly milk levels) of adopters and non-adopters of climate smart agricultural technologies in Aldai sub-county, Nandi County of Kenya. We identify three important facts. First, there seems to be a positive growth in milk production amongst EADD project farmers. This increase can be attributed to differences in animal husbandry practices promoted by EADD project. These animal husbandry practices include training in animal health, fodder conservation, feed formulation, water storage and conservation and growing of drought resistant crops. A second important result is the slight reduction in milk production between 2011 and 2012 seasons which we suspect might be attributed to the effect of drought which impacted feed production the whole country. A final fact is that both adopters and non-adopters witnessed an increase in milk production levels, we show that non-adopters had about 25 percent rice in milk production compared to adopters who observed about 23 percent rise in milk production levels. We also undertook a marketing margin analysis using administrative data obtained from a local farmer organization. Here, our results indicate that total milk supplied to a local cooperative society was steady over time. The supply was highest in 2013. On average, monthly value of milk supplied was Kenya Shillings (KES) 5,293 in 2011- two years after the launch of EADD project. The amount of milk supplied increased by about 4.2 percent between 2011 and 2012 period. The small increase in the value of milk can be attributed to drought which negatively impacted feeds production in Nandi County. However, we observe a higher increase in revenue between 2012 and 2013 of about KES 639.51 (or 11.60 percent). In terms of milk production, we estimate that an average dairy farmer in Nandi County supply about 182.50 litres of milk to the cooperative society in 2011. This level of milk supply increased to 190.

ABSTRACT
The Farmer Field School (FFS) approach has been tried widely and has created positive impact on crop and soil productivity in many Asian and African countries. Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) introduced FFS approach in the year 2001 as an alternative to conventional approach to promote dissemination of Soil and Crop Management Technologies (S&CMTs). The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of Crop Management technologies (CMTs) disseminated through Farmer Field Schools (FFSs) on maize productivity among the smallholder farmers in North Rift, Kenya. Eight technologies were scaled-out using the approach and the conventional extension methods. A survey methodology with an Ex-post facto research design was used with a sampling frame consisting of 6,560 small-scale farmers. A sample of 180 FFS and 180 Non-FFS farmers was chosen for the study, using proportionate stratified random sampling. Data was collected through interview schedules administered to FFS and Non FFS farmers. Descriptive statistics was used to compute percentages, means and standard deviations. One way ANOVA was used in the study. The results of ANOVA indicated a statistically significant difference between the means of the groups (F=94.320, df =2, p=0.000). Therefore, the null hypothesis four was rejected. It was concluded that there was a statistically significant difference in the means of the two groups. By subjecting the results to further post hoc multiple comparison analysis, the results indicate that there was a statistically significant difference in the means of the FFS participants before and after FFS participation (p=0.000) and also between the Non FFS participants and the Participants after FFS training (p=0.000). The main recommendation from this study was therefore, the need to scale-up and scaling out the S&CMTs using the FFS approach in counties in the North Rift region of Kenya.

ABSTRACT
This study was conducted to determine feed intake and nutrient digestibility of sorghum husk (SH) and cowpea haulms (CH) fed to two breed of goat. A 2x2 factorial experiment involving two breeds of goats (Red Sokoto and Red Sokoto x Sahel). Eight goats with an average weight of 18-23 kg were arranged in completely randomized design. The animals were divided into four Treatments (T) groups replicated twice with one goat per replicate. Treatment one (1) comprises of Red Sokoto (RS) fed SH while T2, T3 and T4 were Red Sokoto x Sahel (RSxS) fed SH, RS fed CH and RS x S fed CH, respectively. The result of chemical composition showed that CH had significantly (p<0.05) higher Crude Protein (CP), Ether Extract (EE) and ash digestibility and significantly lower Non Fibre Carbohydrate (NFC), Neutral Detergent Fibre (NDF) and Acid Detergent Fibre (ADF) than SH. RS goats had significantly (p<0.05) higher CP digestibility and significantly (p<0.05) lower digestibility of ash than RSxS goats. The digestibility of CH recorded significantly (p<0.05) higher digestibility in all the parameters than SH. It was concluded that CH have significantly higher CP and EE. Similarly, SH contains significantly higher NFC, NDF and ADF over the CH. RS is superior (P<0.05) in CP and CH had significantly better digestibility of all the parameters measure.

ABSTRACT
Chronic poverty and disability in Uganda are inextricably linked. Despite impressive economic gains made by the country, majority of disabled people are miserably poor. This study investigated the perception of People with Disabilities (PWDs) towards Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) services, a government program aimed at alleviating poverty. A cross-sectional survey was adopted to collect data from 66 PWDs. Descriptive statistics such as frequency count, means and percentages were used to characterize PWDs and their accessibility to OWC services. A logistic regression model was run to establish the influence of socio-economic and institutional characteristics of PWDs on accessibility to services offered by the OWC. Perception of PWDs towards OWC services was as well measured using of a 5-point Likert scale. The binary logistic econometric model was applied for analyzing factors influencing perception of PWDs towards OWC services. Results showed that majority of PWDs (57.58%) were males with average age of 35years. Primary was the highest level (56.06%) of education and 96.97% of them were married with average land size was 1.39acres. 42.42% were ranging between 1-10 years of farming. Most of the PWDs (71.21%) positively perceived services by the OWC. Logistic regression analysis revealed that age (P≤0.05), farm size (P≤0.05), and extension contact (P≤0.01) had positive and significant influence on accessibility of PWDs to OWC services, whereas, farming experience (P≤0.05), participation in other off farm (P≤0.05) and distance to the nearest market (P≤0.01) negatively and significantly influenced accessibility of PWDs to OWC services. Logistic regression analysis showed that the coefficient of access to extension services (P≤0.01), farm size (P≤0.05) and farming experience (P≤0.05) positively and significantly influenced perception of PWDs towards OWC services. Distance from the nearest market (P≤0.05) and age (P≤0.05) negatively and significantly influenced ........

ABSTRACT
Increased production has been hindered by inadequate agricultural information on pest and disease management in crops. The study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of the selected advisory channels on disseminating agricultural information on safe use of pesticides among the smallholder kale farmers. Action research design employed multistage random and purposive sampling methods to obtain responses using structured questionnaires from a sample of 160 respondents from each of the four sampling areas (wards) in two Sub-counties located in Kisii County, Kenya. Data was analyzed with the Analysis of Variance using the statistical package for data analysis (SPSS Version 19). The results obtained indicated that highest number (38.1%) of the respondents required the information on safe use of pesticides while the lowest number (13.1%) required information on financial management. Majority of the respondents (60%) believed that the information obtained on safe use of pesticides led to increase in yields and only 6.9% believed that it only contributed to safe and proper use of pesticides. There was no significant difference (F = 2.139, p = 0 .112) in farmers’ perception on the effectiveness among the selected advisory channels. The study recommends that the government needs to extend training to the pesticide dealers, farmers and other stakeholders on safe use practices of pesticides to facilitate pest and disease management in kale production.

ABSTRACT
Artisanal Gold Mining has gained popularity as a source of livelihood for more than 13 million people in the developing world. However, it is characterized with massive land destructions posing a threat to food security. Despite this, many scholarly works on AGM have focused on its influence on livelihoods on a general perspective. There is need to narrow the scope of generalization and zero in on specific AGM parameters such as; acreage of land under AGM and asses its influence on maize crop yields. Ikolomani Sub County is endowed with high amounts of rainfall and fertile soils. Despite this, it has a food poverty index of 47% in comparison to the national food poverty rate of 45%. Notwithstanding the fact that, it has 500 households engaging in AGM on their farming land. Therefore this study focused on the influence of acreage of land under AGM on maize crop yields. A cross-sectional descriptive research design involving purposive, systematic, and random sampling was employed. A minimum sample size of 384 households was drawn from a study population of 500 households of farmers who engage in AGM. The results show that about 53.8 % (r =0.538, p < 0.05) of the variation of maize crop yields can be explained by acreage of land under AGM. That arable land in Ikolomani is greatly degraded, compacted and occupied by AGM activities subsequently resulting to low maize crop yields. It can be recommended that enhanced control and management of AGM activities in Ikolomani Sub County could help mitigate against chances of decrease in the acreage of arable land and subsequent low maize crop yields.