Browsing by Author "Gichure, Mary"

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Analysis of the benefits and production challenges of working donkeys in smallholder farming systems in Kenya
(Veterinary World, 2020-11-13) Gichure, Mary; Onono, Joshua; Wahome, Raphael; Gathura, Peter
Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the benefits of keeping donkeys and associated production challenges under a smallholder farming system in Kenya. Materials and Methods: A descriptive study was conducted with smallholder farmers keeping donkeys in 13 administrative locations in Kirinyaga County. Data were collected using a questionnaire guide in 13 focus group discussions (FGDs) using participatory epidemiological methods. The FGDs comprised 8-12 participants who were donkey owners. Data were collected through listing, pair-wise ranking, and probing on the benefits of keeping donkeys, challenges faced by working donkeys and the common diseases that affect donkeys in these farms. Data analysis was performed using Kruskal–Wallis non-parametric method to test whether median ranks were significantly different. Other farm level data were also collected using the structured questionnaire and these were analyzed using descriptive statistical methods. Results: The identified benefits included income obtained from the use of donkeys in transportation (Z=5.80) and manure production (Z=3.47), which enabled the farmers to participate in trade activities and improve crop farming. The identified challenges included theft for slaughter (Z=5.99), disease incidence (Z=3.03), road accidents (Z=2.83), and malicious cutting (Z=2.32). Some of the diseases identified were tetanus (Z=5.35), hoof problems (Z=4.55), helminthiases (Z=3.10), and mange (Z=2.24). Participants ranked diseases based on their effects on work output for the donkeys, reducing productivity and often causing death. Addressing these production challenges would optimize donkey use among smallholder farmers. Conclusion: The results presented can be important for policymakers and extension agents regarding the health and welfare of donkeys kept under similar settings. Keywords: benefits and challenges, income, livelihoods, working donkeys
Assessment of Phenotypic Characteristics and Work Suitability for Working Donkeys in the Central Highlands in Kenya
(Veterinary Medicine International, 2020-10-16) Gichure, Mary; Onono, Joshua; Wahome, Raphael; Gathura, Peter
%e study aimed to assess the phenotypic characteristics of donkeys and their suitability for work. Data were collected on age, sex, coat color, height at withers, body length, and heart girth from 360 randomly sampled donkeys raised in a highland agroecological system in Kenya between the months of June and September 2018. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA with the sex of the donkey and age group treated as sources of variation. %e weight of donkeys was estimated using a formulae incorporating body length and heart girth. %e study reveals that the average weight of the working donkey in the central highlands of Kenya was 155.5 kgs ± SE 1.71. %eir height at withers was 99.7 cm ± SEM 0.50, with a heart girth of 113.7 cm ± SEM 0.43 and a body length of 113.2 cm ± SEM 0.58. All these body measurements varied significantly by sex and age group (P < 0.001). %erefore, donkeys raised in Kenya had the same height but heavier, with longer body lengths and heart girth measurements when compared to other domesticated working donkeys in different parts of the world indicating genetic diversity, differences in ecogeographical conditions and husbandry practices. %e majority (86%) of the donkeys were in good welfare conditions with moderate to ideal 86% body condition scores, minimal body lesions 5%, and lameness 18%. %e results are useful for extension agents and donkey users when estimating optimal pack or cart loads in line with their welfare. %e findings provide opportunities for future research on the reasons for phenotypic diversity between donkeys raised in Kenya and other parts of the world.
Benefits and associated challenges of working donkey in small holder farming systems in Kenya
(Research Publish Journals, 2019-12) Gichure, Mary; Onono, Joshua; Wahome, Raphael; Gathura, Peter
In Kenya donkeys are a source of income for farming households through subsistence and commercial transport. A study was conducted to determine the benefits of keeping donkeys and the associated production challenges in small holder farming system in Kirinyaga County, Kenya. Data were collected through thirteen focus group discussions (FGDs) using participatory epidemiological methods (PE). The FGDs comprised 8-12 participants who were donkey owners across thirteen donkey rearing locations in Kirinyaga County. Qualitative data was collected using listing, pairwise ranking and probing included reasons for keeping donkeys, challenges faced by working donkeys and the diseases encountered among these donkeys. Data analysis was performed using a non-parametric method, Kruskal-Wallis, to test whether median ranks were significantly different. Quantitative data was collected using the structured questions in the focus group discussion guide and the descriptive summaries were presented as tables and themes. Narrative summaries were provided for the responses. The benefits included the incomes obtained from the use of donkeys in transportation (Z= 5.80) and manure production (Z= 3.47). Identified challenges included; theft for slaughter (Z = 5.99), diseases (Z = 3.03), road accidents (Z =2.83) and malicious cutting (Z = 2.32). Some of the diseases identified were tetanus (Z = 5.35), hoof problems (Z = 4.55), worms (Z = 3.10) and mange (Z = 2.24). The results are important for policy makers and extension agents with regard to health and welfare of donkeys kept under similar settings.