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Farmers’ Perception and Evaluation of Brachiaria Grass ( Brachiaria spp.) Genotypes for Smallholder Cereal-Livestock Production in East Africa

Author

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  • Duncan Cheruiyot

    (International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology ( icipe ), P.O. Box 30772, Nairobi 00100, Kenya
    Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Kabianga, P.O Box 2030, Kericho 20200, Kenya)

  • Charles A.O. Midega

    (International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology ( icipe ), P.O. Box 30772, Nairobi 00100, Kenya)

  • Jimmy O. Pittchar

    (International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology ( icipe ), P.O. Box 30772, Nairobi 00100, Kenya)

  • John A. Pickett

    (School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AT, UK)

  • Zeyaur R. Khan

    (International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology ( icipe ), P.O. Box 30772, Nairobi 00100, Kenya)

Abstract

Brachiaria ( Urochloa ) is a genus, common name brachiaria, of forage grasses that is increasingly transforming integrated crop-livestock production systems in East Africa. A study was undertaken to (i) assess smallholder farmers’ perception on benefits of brachiaria in cereal-livestock production, (ii) identify brachiaria production constraints, and (iii) identify farmer preferred brachiaria genotypes. A multi-stage sampling technique was adopted for sample selection. Data were collected through semi-structured individual questionnaire and focus group discussions (FGDs). The study areas included Bondo, Siaya, Homabay and Mbita sub-counties in Western Kenya and the Lake zone of Tanzania. A total of 223 farmers participated in individual response questionnaires while 80 farmers participated in the FGDs. The respondents considered brachiaria mainly important in management of cereal pests (70.4% of respondents) and as an important fodder (60.8%). The major production constraint perceived by both male and female respondents is attacks by arthropods pests (49.2% and 63%, respectively). Spider smites had been observed on own farms by 50.8% of men and 63.1% of women, while sorghum shoot flies had been observed by 58.1% of men and 67.9% of women. These pests were rated as a moderate to severe problem. Xaraes was the most preferred genotype, followed by Mulato II and Piata. These genotypes are important in developing new crop pest management strategies, such as push-pull, and for relatively rapid improvements in crop management and yield increases, particularly in developing countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Duncan Cheruiyot & Charles A.O. Midega & Jimmy O. Pittchar & John A. Pickett & Zeyaur R. Khan, 2020. "Farmers’ Perception and Evaluation of Brachiaria Grass ( Brachiaria spp.) Genotypes for Smallholder Cereal-Livestock Production in East Africa," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-13, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:10:y:2020:i:7:p:268-:d:380412
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bezu, Sosina & Holden, Stein, 2014. "Are Rural Youth in Ethiopia Abandoning Agriculture?," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 259-272.
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    2. Anna Wenda-Piesik & Agnieszka Synowiec, 2021. "Productive and Ecological Aspects of Mixed Cropping System," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(5), pages 1-3, April.
    3. Nyangabo V. Musika & James V. Wakibara & Patrick A. Ndakidemi & Anna C. Treydte, 2021. "Spatio-Temporal Patterns of Increasing Illegal Livestock Grazing over Three Decades at Moyowosi Kigosi Game Reserve, Tanzania," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-12, December.
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    5. Ouya, FO & Pittchar, JO & Chidawanyika, F & Kahn, ZR, 2024. "Integrating Vegetables In Push-Pull Technology: Gendered Preferences Of Smallholder Farmers In Western Kenya," African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development (AJFAND), African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development (AJFAND), vol. 24(1), January.

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