Farmers’ perception and evaluation of brachiaria grass (brachiaria spp.) genotypes for smallholder cereal-livestock production in east Africa
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Agriculture
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.
Description
Research article on agriculture
Citation
Cheruiyot, D., Midega, C. A., Pittchar, J. O., Pickett, J. A., & Khan, Z. R. (2020). Farmers’ Perception and Evaluation of Brachiaria Grass (Brachiaria spp.) Genotypes for Smallholder Cereal-Livestock Production in East Africa. Agriculture, 10(7), 268.