Research Article
Pre-Harvesting and Harvesting Management Practices Affecting Coffee Quality in Kasaana Sub-County, Sheema District
Mukundane Dennis*
,
Fina Opio,
Rebecca Kalibwani
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 4, December 2025
Pages:
103-111
Received:
18 August 2025
Accepted:
3 September 2025
Published:
10 October 2025
Abstract: The study focused on analyzing the effect of coffee pre-harvesting and harvesting management practices on coffee quality in Kasaana sub-county, Sheema district. It was guided by one objective which was to; establish coffee pre-harvest and harvest management practices that improve coffee quality. he study employed a cross-sectional research design. The study considered the sample size of 206 respondents. The study employed simple random sampling and purposive sampling to select categories of respondents. The study used questionnaires and interview guide to collect data. The data was analysed using SPSS version 22.0. The study concludes that both pre-harvest and harvest practices significantly improve coffee quality. Notably, harvesting method, pruning, and timing practices are the most impactful. The study recommends that, training programs should be intensified to educate farmers on the importance of selective handpicking of ripe cherries, as it has the greatest impact on coffee quality, local agricultural extension officers should support farmers with seasonal pruning calendars and demonstrations to encourage frequent and well timed pruning, which improves canopy health and productivity, awareness campaigns should be launched to emphasize harvesting only ripe cherries and avoiding strip picking and there is a need to constantly promote Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques among coffee farmers through farmer field schools and subsidies on eco-friendly pest control inputs.
Abstract: The study focused on analyzing the effect of coffee pre-harvesting and harvesting management practices on coffee quality in Kasaana sub-county, Sheema district. It was guided by one objective which was to; establish coffee pre-harvest and harvest management practices that improve coffee quality. he study employed a cross-sectional research design. ...
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Research Article
Evaluating the Rice Crop Water Productivity of Irrigation Schemes Practicing Continuous Flooding Irrigation Regime: A Case Study of Ahero Irrigation Scheme in Kenya
Nickson Kenyoru Marita*,
Emmanuel Chessum Kipkorir,
Joel Kibiiy
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 4, December 2025
Pages:
112-121
Received:
9 November 2025
Accepted:
20 November 2025
Published:
17 December 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.wjast.20250304.12
Downloads:
Views:
Abstract: The growing scarcity of freshwater resources presents a major challenge to rice production particularly in irrigation systems that rely on limited freshwater supplies. Enhancing the water use efficiency has therefore become essential for sustainable rice cultivation. This study evaluated the rice crop water productivity under continuous flooding irrigation regime using the Ahero Irrigation Scheme in Kenya as a case study. The rice crop water productivity was determined as the ratio of the total mass of rice production to the total volume of water supplied for irrigation. The rice crop water productivity for the scheme was measured and found to be 0.3406 kgm-3. The measured value was lower than what is commonly achieved under improved irrigation regimes such as intermittent irrigation. The low water productivity was mainly attributed to conveyance losses along the earthen canals and application losses due to inefficient irrigation practices. Improving the water productivity requires several interventions; lining and maintenances of canals to reduce conveyance losses, adopting intermittent irrigation to use less irrigation water resource, training farmers on proper land preparation techniques to enhance leveling in the irrigation basins thereby reducing excessive irrigation water application in unleveled basins, and strengthening the capacity of Irrigation Water Users Associations to monitor and enforce proper irrigation water usage.
Abstract: The growing scarcity of freshwater resources presents a major challenge to rice production particularly in irrigation systems that rely on limited freshwater supplies. Enhancing the water use efficiency has therefore become essential for sustainable rice cultivation. This study evaluated the rice crop water productivity under continuous flooding ir...
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