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Background: In Kenya, rice (Oryza sativa L.) is mainly produced under irrigation by small‐scale farmers. Mwea irrigation scheme (MIS) in Kirinyaga County accounts for 80–88% of rice production. Here, rice is the main source of livelihood and a source of revenue generation for the county. However, a recently established invasive freshwater snail, Pomacea canaliculata (Lamarck) (family: Ampullariidae), a species of apple snail, presents a serious threat to rice production. Results: Household surveys, focus group discussions and key informant interviews highlight apple snail as a serious problem in MIS. Households that observed at least a moderate level of infestation (>20% of cultivated area) experienced significant reductions in rice yield (~14%) and net rice income (~60%). Farmers reported increased use of chemical pesticides for management of apple snail. In addition, the cost of hired labor for physical removal of egg masses and snails is resulting in substantial negative effects on net income. Farmer age, area of land owned, responsibility for decision‐making, receipt of extension advice, training, and membership of a farmer organization, were all statistically significant variables to explain farmers awareness of the need for area‐wide apple snail management. Conclusion: Strategies to limit the spread of apple snail are urgently needed. A Multi‐Institutional Technical Team (MITT) has been established to spearhead management efforts and consolidate advice to farmers on how to manage apple snail. However, without action to mitigate spread, the consequences could be disastrous for rice production and food security in Kenya, and for other rice growing regions across Africa. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Growing high-yielding varieties is crucial for successful crop production and maximizing farmers’ net returns. One such example is IR05N221, locally referred to as Komboka rice variety, which was released in Kenya in 2013. On the one hand, Komboka can bridge the gap in rice imports since yields of existing rice varieties do not meet the increasing rice consumption levels of the Kenyan population. On the other hand, it has taken about seven years for Komboka to be appreciated by farmers, necessitating the need to understand farmer preferences when it comes to adopting a new improved variety. We used a mixed-method study approach by combining quantitative and qualitative data collected regionally and locally in both rainfed and irrigated ecologies. When compared to most of the other rice varieties under evaluation, Komboka was high-yielding, early-maturing, and had moderate tolerance to diseases in both rainfed and irrigated ecologies. However, farmers at the regional level ranked Komboka either at the same or lower rank in terms of sensory attributes. At the local level, farmers predominantly grew older and more aromatic Basmati 370 rice variety for sale, as it fetched them more money, with preferences for both men and women rice farmers being the same. Despite Komboka being a high-yielding variety, Mwea rice farmers’ perceptions and preferences for this improved variety were low. While Komboka was equally aromatic, the lack of a ready market dissuaded these farmers from widely preferring the new Komboka variety. We provide prerequisite information that can support the commercialization and promotion of the Komboka variety. We also show that widespread favourable perception of new varieties hinges on matching preferences between breeders’ efforts for improved rice productivity with farmers’ needs for market competitiveness in these new varieties.

Green gram (Phaseolus aures L.) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L) are widely grown in the vertisols of the Mwea Irrigation Scheme in Kenya alongside the rice fields. Green gram can fix nitrogen and is grown for its highly nutritious and curative seeds while tomato is grown for its fruit rich in fiber, minerals and vitamins. The two can be prepared individually or together in a variety of ways including raw salads and/or cooked/fried. They together form significant delicacies consumed with rice, which is the major cash crop grown in the black cotton soils. The crops can grow well in warm conditions but tomato is fairly adaptable except under excessive humidity and temperatures that reduce yields. Socio-economic prioritization by the farming community and on-farm demonstrations of soil management options were instituted to demonstrate enhanced green gram and tomato production in vertisol soils of lower parts of Kirinyaga County (Mwea East and Mwea West districts). Drainage management was recognized by the farming community as the best option although a reduced number of farmers used drainage and furrows/ridges, manure, fertilizer and shifting options in that descending order. Non-availability of labour and/or financial cost for instituting these management options were indicated as major hindrances to adoption of the yield enhancing options. Labour force was contributed to mainly by the family alongside hiring (64.2%) although 28% and 5.2%, respectively used hired or family labour alone. The female role in farming activities dominated while the male role was minimal especially at weeding. The youth role was insignificant and altogether absent at marketing. Despite the need for labour at earlier activities (especially when soil management options needed to be instituted) it was at the marketing stage that this force was directed. Soils were considered infertile by 60% but 40% indicated that their farms had adequate fertility. Analysis showed that with ridging, farm yard manure and fertilizer improved soil fertility, crop growth and income considerably. Phosphate and zinc enhancement reduced alkalinity and sodicity. Green gram and tomato yields increased under ridges and farm yard manure application by between 17-25% which significantly enhanced household incomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Schistosomiasis remains a major public health problem in Kenya. Inadequate knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) on causative factors are some of the critical factors for the increased prevalence. The study assessed KAP on the control and prevention of schistosomiasis infection in Mwea division, Kirinyaga County-Kenya. Four hundred and sixty five house-hold heads were enrolled in this study by use of simple random sampling technique.Methods: The study employed an analytical descriptive cross sectional design utilizing both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. A pretested structured questionnaire, Focus Group Discusions (FGDs) and Key Informant Interviews (KII) guides were used for data collection. Descriptive statistics and Chi square tests and Fisher's exact tests were computed where applicable. Data from the FGDs and KIIs were analyzed using NUID.IST NUIRO.6 software.Results: Significant associations between knowledge and demographic factors i.e. age (p = 0.011), education level (p = 0.046), were reported. Handwashing after visiting the toilet (p = 0.001), having a toilet facility at home (p = 0.014); raring animals at home (p = 0.031), households being affected by floods (p = 0.005) and frequency of visits to the paddies (p = 0.037) had a significant association with respondents practices and schistosomiasis infection. Further significance was reported on households being affected by floods during the rainy season (p < 0.001), sources of water in a household (p < 0.047) and having a temporary water body in the area (p = 0.024) with increase in schistosomiasis infection. Results revealed that respondents practices were not significantly associated with gender (p = 0.060), marital status (p = 0.71), wearing of protective gear (p = 0.142) and working on the paddies (p = 0.144).Conclusions: This study reveals that knowledge about the cause, transmission, symptoms and prevention of schistosomiasis among the Mwea population was inadequate, and that this could be a challenging obstacle to the elimination of schistosomiasis in these communities. Due to various dominant risk factors, different control strategies should be designed. Therefore, there is a need for integrated control programme to have a lasting impact on transmission of schistosomiasis infection. Control programs like mass drug administration need to go beyond anti-helminthic treatment and that there is a need of a more comprehensive approach including access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene. School and community-based health education is also imperative among these communities to significantly reduce the transmission and morbidity from schistosomiasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improving the yield of rice (Oryza sativa L) in existing irrigated areas rather than further expansion is more likely to be the main source of growth for the crop in Kenya, especially due to limited land and water resources. In order to achieve this, there is need to identify and adopt solutions that are environmentally more sustainable. That is, the production systems adopted should reduce water consumption and increase productivity. A study was carried out to evaluate whether the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) could increase water productivity and crop yield relative to the conventional production system of continuous flooding. The effects of SRI on total water use, growth characteristics and yield of three rice varieties were investigated at Mwea Irrigation Scheme of Kenya on vertic clay soils. The production practices of SRI were found to be beneficial to rice growth and yield. SRI gave higher average grain yield (14.85 t ha -1) than the conventional flooded system (8.66 t ha -1) at P=0.006, while the average yield across production systems was 15.89 t ha-1, 11.26 t ha -1 and 8.10 t ha -1 for BW196, NERICA1 and Basmati370 varieties respectively, with P<0.001. There was a 24% saving in irrigation water by SRI, while land productivity (LP) and water productivity (WP) increased by 71% and 90% respectively compared to the conventional flooded system. Overall, SRI production system gave better yield and productivity results than the conventional flooded system. This was probably as a result of better phenotypic expressions due to the innovative soil-water-crop management practices of SRI that change the environment where rice is grown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]