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Impacts of Vachelia reficiens and Prosopis juliflora on the Environment of Samburu East Sub-County, Kenya
Patrick Pureina Lekenit,
Samson Okongo Mabwoga,
Maurice Oduor Josphat Omollo
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 3, September 2023
Pages:
95-108
Received:
4 June 2023
Accepted:
21 June 2023
Published:
6 July 2023
Abstract: Negative impacts of invasive plant species are a major challenge globally in the 21st Century. They have enormous environmental and economic costs. In spite of this, little is known of their impacts and management interventions. In Kenya, Samburu East Sub-County has experienced a spread of Vachelia reficiens and Prosopis juliflora. The resident community and the government are concerned on the extent of the spread and establishment of the species in the area. To address these concerns, the study aimed at analyzing their impacts on; socio-economic activities; the environment; spatio-temporal variations of impacts-, and evaluation of effectiveness of on-going interventions. To obtain quantitative and qualitative data, sequential explanatory mixed-method study design was used. Five-point perception count on a Likert scale was used to rate the magnitude of the impacts. To achieve this objectives, multistage clustered random sampling at each stage of the administrative units was used to obtain sampling design frame. Probability and non-probability sampling methods were employed to obtain data using structured research instruments. Questionnaire validity and reliability were confirmed before data collection. Inferential and descriptive statistics were used to analyze data. The result showed that impact of Vachelia reficiens were higher in magnitude than of Prosopis juliflora and the effective method of interventions was cutting. The results were statistically significant based on the chi square test analysis at p < 5%. Therefore, the two plant species have statistically significant negative impacts on the socio-economic and environmental systems and impacts differ over space and time. The study recommends management and policy measures for urgent attention in order to safeguard biodiversity and community livelihoods. Implementation of the recommendations by state and non-state actors will enhance environmental sustainability in the sub-county.
Abstract: Negative impacts of invasive plant species are a major challenge globally in the 21st Century. They have enormous environmental and economic costs. In spite of this, little is known of their impacts and management interventions. In Kenya, Samburu East Sub-County has experienced a spread of Vachelia reficiens and Prosopis juliflora. The resident com...
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Characterization, Classification and Mapping Soil Resources of Leka Dullecha District, East Wollega Zone, Western Oromia
Chalsissa Takele,
Obsa Aga,
Temesgen Chimdessa,
Fayisa Olana
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 3, September 2023
Pages:
109-117
Received:
17 April 2023
Accepted:
27 June 2023
Published:
17 July 2023
Abstract: For making decisions on agricultural production and other land use types, understanding the types and characteristics of soils is essential. This study was conducted with the aim of characterization and classification of soils of Leka Dullecha district and produces a map of these soils. Based on slope, geology, land form, soil depth, color, texture, and structure, soil mapping units were categorized (USDA soil textural classes). Understanding the relationships and interactions between the various soil qualities was made easier by the separation of the study site into SMUs. Cambisols, Acrisols, Nitisols, Lixisols, Vertisols, Fluvisols, and Leptosols were the seven main soil types discovered at the study location. The pH ranged from 4.0 (highly acidic) to 6.3 (moderately acidic), with a value of 4.9 as the average. Mean total nitrogen was found to be 0.06% (low) and 0.41% (high) in the SMU3 and SMU10, respectively with the mean values of 0.24. Soils of all SMUs had a fairly medium to high exchangeable Ca and Mg content. The CEC of the soils ranged from 1.08 to 27.94cmolc kg-1 with a mean value of 15.9. OC was positively and significantly correlated with TN (r2 = 0.999) at p < 0.001. Besides, CEC was significantly and negatively correlated with EA (r2 = -0.397) at p < 0.05. The concept of soil–landscape relationships helps to categorize highly variable soils into relatively distinct management zones. Therefore, soil classification was developed to aid in land management.
Abstract: For making decisions on agricultural production and other land use types, understanding the types and characteristics of soils is essential. This study was conducted with the aim of characterization and classification of soils of Leka Dullecha district and produces a map of these soils. Based on slope, geology, land form, soil depth, color, texture...
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Assessment of Formal Institutions Across the Timber Value Chain in Liwale and Ruangwa Districts, Tanzania
Mary Chuzi Magiri,
Jumanne Moshi Abdallah
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 3, September 2023
Pages:
118-124
Received:
19 July 2023
Accepted:
18 August 2023
Published:
31 August 2023
Abstract: In developing an inclusive and sustainable timber value chain, institutions are important for structuring and governing the interactions of the actors to effect value creation and addition to timber products. Therefore, this study aims at assessing the rules and regulations awareness, enforcement, compliance and costs associated with the timber value chain in Liwale and Ruangwa districts, Tanzania. Data collection methods for this study includes key informant interviews and researcher’s own observations. Secondary Data were also gathered from various sources from within and outside the districts. Findings reveal that most people were aware of the rules and regulations involved in value chain but their level of awareness differed depending on factors like education level that an individual timber dealer had, time of exposure in the timber business and the goals that each one had on their business. Enforcement of the rules and regulations was found to be strong in Liwale compared to Ruangwa district. In addition, the compliance of the rules and regulations was high in Liwale than in Ruangwa. However, most of the actors who are timber dealers complained about high costs which is associated with compliance to the rules and regulations governing their businesses. Therefore, increasing awareness so that actors could comply with the laws and regulation could help in solving these challenges in Ruangwa district. Reducing costs and bureaucracy associated with the implementation of the rules and regulation governing timber value chain in both districts will increase benefits and efficiency in timber value chain Tanzania. Findings of this study may be beneficial to policy makers, developmental partners, other stakeholders and the people working along the timber value chain.
Abstract: In developing an inclusive and sustainable timber value chain, institutions are important for structuring and governing the interactions of the actors to effect value creation and addition to timber products. Therefore, this study aims at assessing the rules and regulations awareness, enforcement, compliance and costs associated with the timber val...
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Effects of Crop Diversification on Food Crop Productivity Among Smallholder Coffee Farmers in Kirinyaga County, Kenya
Micheni Pauline Kananu,
Gathungu Geofrey Kingori,
Dennis K. Muriithi,
Ngeretha Njoki Ann
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 3, September 2023
Pages:
125-136
Received:
29 August 2023
Accepted:
19 September 2023
Published:
12 October 2023
Abstract: Crop production increases food security and nutrition, and enhances livelihoods of rural populace in Kenya. There is a low levels of crops productivity in Kirinyaga County, and there is need to increase the production to feed the expanding population. This study aimed to analyze the effects of crop diversification on smallholder coffee farmers’ selected crops productivity in Kirinyaga Central and East Sub-Counties. The study was guided by utility maximization theory and response variables’ nature. The study was done in three agro-ecological zones (UM1, UM2, UM3) using a descriptive research design to collect smallholder coffee farmers’ household data on effects of crop diversification. A multistage sampling techniques was used to obtain a sample size of 408. Structured questionnaires were administered using Kobo toolbox to obtain data and Fractional Regression model was used to analyze data. The study found out that the average food crop productivity was 0.379, indicating low level. The study also found that there was a relationship between choice of crop diversification and selected crop productivity at p=0.000<0.05. Landscape heterogeneity (5.7%), crop rotation (13.4%), crop species diversity (56.6%) and land size (10.5%) were found to positively influence crops productivity whereas it was negatively influenced by agro ecological zones (AEZs) (4.4%). In conclusion, the study established that crop species diversity is the greatest contributor to crop productivity while agro-ecological zones (AEZs) negatively influenced it. The study recommends that extension providers be well trained, their content revised and supported financially to implement extension programs and policies that promote adoption of crop diversification strategies which enhances yield.
Abstract: Crop production increases food security and nutrition, and enhances livelihoods of rural populace in Kenya. There is a low levels of crops productivity in Kirinyaga County, and there is need to increase the production to feed the expanding population. This study aimed to analyze the effects of crop diversification on smallholder coffee farmers’ sel...
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