Weather Observation station for Kyuso and surrounding

Weather forecasts and historical climatic data form part of the core information required by most farmers when making strategic and operational decisions. Historical data can be used to determine climatic trends which could assist in determining which crops and/or varieties to plant in an area.

The resident of Kyuso might benefit with a weather/observation from Kenya Meteorological centre. Talking to extension officers in Kyuso, the assistant director of Kenya Met  Mr.Ayub Shaka and  Mr. James K. Muhindi from the forecast department Heard from the extension officers that the weather forecasts that is depicted by Makindu Weather station does reflects here (Kyuso).

The extension officers thought it would be wise to establish an observation station in kyuso since the Makindu weather/observation station is 299Km from Kyuso and this the data they rely on. 

Mr. Shaka gave the Extension officers and local leader hope when he said that they can still establish a community radio station in the area through Ranet program. He said the locals should also contribute by:

1.       Provision of premises (2 Rooms)

2.       Volunteer presenter (KMD will interview volunteers)

3.       Steering committee (Volunteer)

4.   Land 2.5 acres (future development)

This will be an initiative of Kenya Adaption to climate Change in arid Land (KACCAL) and stakeholders. 

New pump eases burden for farmers

by STELLA CHERONO
Aside from using it as a means of transport, there is another reason why a farmer should buy a motorcycle – pumping water.
A new water pump, developed by Farmlink Africa and currently being exhibited the Kisumu ASK show, eases the burden of irrigation by relying on the engine of a motorcycle.

The device has a capacity of pumping between 22,000 to 40,000 litres of water per hour, consuming a measly 0.2 litres of petrol in an hour.

“This pump is mounted to a motorcycle Power Take Over, commonly known as the engine shaft, that drives it as it pumps the water from its source,” said Farmlink Africa sales director Mwangi Mbugiro.

He said the device can also pump water from a well of up to 40 feet, but the speed and the amount of water is dependent on the slope.

“On a not so steep place, the water is pumped so fast as compared to pumping it from a well that is deep” Mr Mwangi said.

The pump, he added, has the ability to pump water to as far as 50 meters uphill for a continuous operating time of 100 hours and is suitable for pumping water for irrigation, car washing, firefighting, spraying crops and for fumigating.

“The advantage of this machine is that it uses a locomotive that can be used for other purposes as compared to the common diesel water pump that performs one purpose only and lies idle when you are not pumping water,” Mr Mwangi.

Mr Mwangi said that the 1.6 Kg pump costs Sh 12,000, adding that the company has sold 30 units of the pump in the last three weeks.

“The pipe that is suitable to be used along with this pump retails at Sh 400 per meter but the pump comes with some few meters of the pipe” He said.

“There are so many inventions that can be used in agriculture to enhance food production and alleviate poverty and hunger,” he said.

ELNINO/LANINA OR NORMAL RAIN

Since the season began the Kyuso resident from lower eastern of Kenya had believed that there were expecting Elnino rain. After interview with some community members on who disseminated this information they were not sure since there are a lot of extension officers in the area. The farmers had prepared for much rainfall and were even advised to plant crops that required large amount of rainfall.

Talking to extension officers and local readers in Kyuso during a Kenya Adaptation to Climate change In Arid Areas meeting Mr. James K Muhindi from the forecast department of Kenya Meteorological centre opposed this and advised the extension officers to reverse this information since it might affect yield in this area. “The season is not long gone and so the information can be reversed” said Mr. Muhindi said”It is not yet too late” Mr. Muhindi thought it was wise for the extension officers in the area to develop smart extension messages for forecasts.

Mr. Muhindi was accompanied by Ayub Shaka who is an assistant director, Kenya meteorological department. Mr. Muhindi gave the factors that contribute to a rain from being considered Elnino or Lanina. He said they use the nino 3.4 rating and if it is above 0.6 for 5 consecutive months for example 1986 it is referred as moderated Elnino, below 0.6 for 3 consecutive months weak Elnino. He added that the continuing October November December rain could not be an Elnino since it doesn’t meet the above standards and therefore the farmers were misinformed    

The extension officers were amazed to get the weekly weather forecast from Mr. Shaka and Muhindi and were told to give feedback whether the projection was exact. Talking to one extension officer by phone I confirmed it rained as they had forecasted so people should have confidence with Kenya forecast department. 

Seasonal forecasting for OCT-NOV-DECEMBER 2012

Sorghum quality

Gadam sorghum was declared cash crops in the six districts hived from the larger Mwingi district, (Mwingi central, Mwingi West, Tseikuru, Kyuso, Mwingi East and Migwani) by Senior Assistant Director of Agriculture, Mr, Muia Muindi. Since this time stakeholders has been promoting this crop species day in day out. There has been bumper harvest of this crop since the promotion started especially in Ngomeni in Kyuso District.
The Government launched the sale of newly introduced Gadam Sorghum and green grams in the larger Mwingi district to East African Breweries Limited (EABL) and World Food Programme (WFP).
Quality is a factor that should be considered as the promotion of the crop specie continues for the quality of Gadam sorghum or any other sorghum variety may be affected by insects, excessive heat, mold and sprout
The quality of any variety of sorghum will depend on the genetic, environment, harvesting, drying and storage condition as well as handling/blending
The following are the quality an employer will consider when buying any sorghum variety:

1.      Moisture content maximum          13%

2.      Aflatoxin Maximum                     10 ppb

3.      Broken grain maximum                3%

4.      Sprouted  grain maximum            1%

5.      Other Impurities maximum          1%

6.      Tannin content Maximum            1%

7.      No bad smell

8.      No poisonous Chemicals

9.      No live insects

10.  Maximum 10 dead insects per 1 Kg

11.  Must from entire harvest

From The Land to the Rock

Due to insufficient of funds farmers have failed to adopt the modern farming technology. This is because most of the farming technologies being promoted by different stakeholders have very expensive inputs. The rainfall is no longer reliable and therefore farmers would be risking if they decide to take a loan from banks and other micro finance institution since they may end up making losses 

Most farmers especially from the arid land communities have decide to come up with their own farm innovation to fight food insecurity in the area.

Mr. Peter Muithya Mulonzya from Twimyua Location, Kyuso Division of Kyuso District Kitui County has decided to move from the land and cultivate on the rocks as his innovation of coping with increasing lowering of water table.

“Decided to start cultivating on the rock when I realized that the water is percolating at a very high rate bearing in mind that the rainfall is not reliable here” says Mr. Muthya.

The innovation involves identifying a flat rock, put a mixture of soil and manure, and enclosed the plot with a wall made of clay soil to prevent the water from flowing out of the plot.  The rock underneath will retain the water to sustain the germination and grow of the crop planted/propagated. This method ensures that no water sips into the ground but used by the growing plant. 

Mr. Muithya has been supplying Kyuso and Tseikuru Market and some other small towns such as Mivukoni, Twimyua and Kalambani in Kyuso district with tomatoes grown in his farm with the help of two workers.

He urges other farmers to come up with climate change coping strategies that are sustainable and the area will be food secure within no time.

Video - Lets use it for development

Video As the importance of dissemination and impact becomes increasingly recognized. Most people are using ever more innovative methods especially when integrating video and blogging.

Kyuso Maarifa centre take video as the best way to reach a desired target audiences. Most people especially in Ukambani don't have time for other modes of dissemination but when its come to video they will allocate sometime for it. The field officer conducted a survey that accommodated the community their levels of interest, and levels of understanding

The question that led the officer to come into a conclusion that video will suit best in this area are as follow:
What is their availability in terms of time?, the community level of interest?, Would people come in seminars or meetings? Could one reach the community through an article?, are there organization that could help in information dissemination?

The Maarifa centre do video screening in the centre, during field days and also using ipod technology.
As the technology improvement takes place, Kyuso community is not left behind. Kyuso Maarifa Centre  is situated in Kyuso district, Kitui County. Kyuso is located approximately 60 kilometers from Mwingi town.
The Ipod technology hit the communities around the district in 2009, unleashing both technology and information on livelihoods and climate change. 

The gadget was highly received with curiosity and enthusiasm by the community members. Nobody had ever seen such a gadget in the area

ipod contents.
Different videos and pictures on climate change and livelihoods awareness, adaptation and perceptions were synched into the gadget. These videos and audio programs can be watched and as well listened to through the ear phones by the user. The ipod can be connected to the computer and use the I tune soft ware for wider viewing and listening.
The I pod have other contents like music, photos, pod casts, Games, calendars, clocks and alarms
This is as well attracting most young people to the centre. Young people are normally very much curious to learning new technologies.

Farming With Passion

The video tell a story of a disabled person who has engaged him self in sustainable agriculture as a result of effects of climate change . His farming started as a way of respecting doctors advice (Exercises ).

Conservation of maize stovers

Maize is the third most produced grain after wheat and rice but leads in crop fodder production both globally and in Africa. Annual maize fodder yields have been estimated to be 1816 and 340 million tonnes in the world and Africa, respectively. Maize is largely grown and left to dry to less than 20% grain moisture content before harvesting. The dry grain is a widely used staple in tropical regions. In Africa, many communities differently prepare 'porridge' and 'cakes' from maize meal e.g. 'Ugali', 'Fofo', 'Kita' and 'Pap' which are popular in East, West, North and South Africa, respectively.

Tips for good maize stalk conservation

1. The leaf is the most nutritious component of maize stalk hence it is important to prevent loss of leaves in the process of conservation.  
2. Maize stalk can be conserved in the field in pyramidal heaps that reduce chances of penetration by rain water and direct sun heat. 
3.   There are high chances of pest, especially insects attack on stored maize stalks. Thus there should be regular inspection of the stored stalks and corrective measurements undertaken in case of such damages.
4. The bulkiness of maize stalks limits intake. Processing the stalks by grinding enhances the intake and prevents losses due to pests.
5. Chopped/grinded stalks should be stored safely with regular inspection to monitor any spoilage e.g. mould growth or rotting. 

Drip Irrigation: Grow more vegetables with less water

Drip irrigation is a method of watering plants with single drops of water at a time. The set up consists of tapes with very small outlets that let out water one drop at a time wetting the soil around the plants roots. The technology was developed in the USA and Israel for growing crops in dry climates where water is limited.
The technology is efficient in use of water - no water is wasted as runoff or lost by moving down through the soil too quickly for the roots to absorb it. The technology has been further simplified and requires low water pressure to operate. The tapes are very flexible and can be modified to suit different lengths of rows or plot sizes.