Browsing by Author "Kiramana, J. K."

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Determinants of market outlet choice among smallholder Irish potato farmers in Kinangop Sub-County, Nyandarua County, Kenya.
(Chuka University, 2024) Kamau, P. M.; Oloo-Abucheli, G. O.; Kiramana, J. K.
The market outlet choice is among the key decisions in every farming household since the outlet chosen determines the profits accrued to the individual household. However, smallholder Irish potato farmers face challenges reaching their preferred outlets in Kenya. The research therefore, examined the determinants of market outlet choice among smallholder Irish potato farmers. A descriptive research design was employed to collect cross-sectional data on the year 2022 crop season from sampled 241 smallholder Irish potato growers. Smallholder Irish potato farmers were identified through cluster sampling and interviewed using a semi-structured pretested questionnaire. A multivariate probit model was used to investigate the determinants of market choices. The study revealed that 92.95% of smallholder Irish potato farmers sold their produce to brokers. The likelihood of smallholder farmers choosing the brokers was significantly influenced by land size, market distance, and phone access. Selecting the local market was significantly influenced by land size, gender, information access, market distance, extension, and phone access. The likelihood of choosing urban markets was significantly influenced by age, information, and phone access. The probability of selecting the contracts was influenced significantly by age, market distance, information, credit and phone access, and primary occupation. Therefore, the study recommends agricultural extension agents disseminate relevant information to smallholder Irish potato farmers to facilitate informed decisions when selling their produce
Determination of Factors Influencing Cultivation and Utilisation of Pumpkins Among Smallholders in Kakamega and Nyeri Counties, Kenya
(Taylor and Francis, 2019-06-27) Kiramana, J. K.; Isutsa, Dorcas Khasungu; ; ;
Pumpkin is becoming an important fruit-vegetable, although its potential remains unexploited in Kenya. This study aimed at enhancing conservation, preservation and production of naturalized pumpkins through the cataloguing of accessions and documentation of indigenous traditional knowledge influencing cultivation and utilization. In 2012 an expedition led to the collection of 155 accessions of Cucurbita moschata (Lam.) Poir., with 70 from Kakamega and 85 from Nyeri. Variegated accessions were significantly (P < 0.05) the most popular and highly utilized, compared to the exotic green-leafed ones. Significantly(P < 0.05) more green-leafed accessions were collected in Nyeri, and variegated in Kakamega. There was significant (P < 0.05) variation in fruit shape and skin colour. Fruit-form ranged from ovate to globose or elliptical, and the predominant skin colour was dark to pale-green. Intercropping was the main cropping system. Food provision and income generation significantly (P < 0.05) influenced cultivation and utilization of the pumpkins. Most variegated accessions were inherited from past generations and have become naturalized. The green-leafed accessions were introduced by farmers and other stakeholders. Fruits and leaves were significantly (P < 0.05) utilized by farmers, compared to seeds and whole plants. The quality of fruits and leaves, cooking method and recipes were significantly (P > 0.05) considered by farmers when selecting accessions to cultivate. These factors were significant (P > 0.05) in sustaining genetic diversity and conservation. Interventions to preserve positive factors and overcome constraining ones should be promoted to enhance growing of naturalised pumpkin for good health and income generation.
Determination of Factors Influencing Cultivation and Utilisation of Pumpkins Among Smallholders in Kakamega and Nyeri Counties, Kenya
(Taylor and Francis, 2019-06-27) Kiramana, J. K.; Isutsa, D. K.; ; ;
Pumpkin is becoming an important fruit-vegetable, although its potential remains unexploited in Kenya. This study aimed at enhancing conservation, preservation and production of naturalized pumpkins through the cataloguing of accessions and documentation of indigenous traditional knowledge influencing cultivation and utilization. In 2012 an expedition led to the collection of 155 accessions of Cucurbita moschata (Lam.) Poir., with 70 from Kakamega and 85 from Nyeri. Variegated accessions were significantly (p<0.05) the most popular and highly utilized, compared to the exotic green-leafed ones. Significantly (p<0.05) more green-leafed accessions were collected in Nyeri, and variegated in Kakamega. There was significant (p<0.05) variation in fruit shape and skin colour. Fruit-form ranged from ovate to globose or elliptical, and the predominant skin colour was dark to pale-green. Intercropping was the main cropping system. Food provision and income generation significantly (p<0.05) influenced cultivation and utilization of the pumpkins. Most variegated accessions were inherited from past generations and have become naturalized. The green-leafed accessions were introduced by farmers and other stakeholders. Fruits and leaves were significantly (p<0.05) utilized by farmers, compared to seeds and whole plants. The quality of fruits and leaves, cooking method and recipes were significantly (p<0.05) considered by farmers when selecting accessions to cultivate. These factors were significant (0.05) in sustaining genetic diversity and conservation. Interventions to preserve positive factors and overcome constraining ones should be promoted to enhance growing of naturalised pumpkin for good health and income generation.
Morphological characterization of naturalised pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata (Lam.) Poir.) accessions in Kenya. African Journal of Horticultural Science, 12:61-83.
(2017-06) Kiramana, J. K.; Isutsa, D. K.; ; ;
Pumpkin is an emerging important indigenous vegetable in Kenya, although its sale and consumption remain low, while distribution and diversity are systematically studied and reported to a limited extend. The present study sought to provide information that could spur enhanced conservation, preservation and production of preferred multi-purpose pumpkin accessions among smallholder farmers in Kenya. A survey done in 2012 collected 155 accessions, belonging to Cucurbita moschata (Lam.) Poir.), which comprised 70 and 85 from Kakamega and Nyeri regions, respectively. The accessions were grown in the Chuka University farm and used for morphological characterization. All 26 morphological characters evaluated were significantly (P=0.000) different. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) reduced them to 9 Principal Components (PCs) that accounted for 82.4% total variation. The first PCs explained 50.5% variation, comprising 27.7% PC 1, 14.4% PC 2 and 8.8% PC 3. The PCA differentiated accessions by plant growth, productivity, maturity, fruit yield, seed yield, and quality factors. The high phenotypic variation explained by the PCs indicates that the discriminating traits could be used as good genitors and priority indices in pumpkin germplasm screening, selection and improvement. Total fruit weight was 0.3 kg in NY-155 and 19.3 kg in KK-65. Cluster analysis classified the accessions into four groups, with 63, 29, 25 and 6 accessions in clusters one, two, three and four, respectively. A close relationship among the variegated accessions was observed. The green-leafed accessions were grouped in cluster three. The best yielding accessions KK-65 and KK-54 were clustered separately. The sparse distribution of the green-leafed accessions was attributed to crossing-breeding with the variegated accessions in the farms. The present study showed that phenotypic characterization can be used as an inexpensive means for distinguishing related pumpkin species. Since naturalised pumpkin germplasm is slowly becoming endangered in many farming systems and the current pumpkin germplasm is highly diverse, there is need to conserve it to serve as resources for future pumpkin improvement. Kenyan farmers need to be sensitised on production and conservation of pumpkin. Interventions to strengthen informal on-farm conservation should be adopted and promoted to ensure germplasm availability in future.
Multivariate analysis techniques reveal significant morphogenetic variability in pumpkin landraces in Kenya
(Shamokal Publications, 2018-07-30) Kiramana, J. K.; Isutsa, D. K.; ; ;
Documented information on naturalized pumpkin landraces in Kenya to identify useful variability is insufficient. The present study assessed variability using quantitative characters of 155 accessions, with 70 and 85 from Kakamega and Nyeri regions, respectively. The accessions were grown in one farm in a completely randomized design with three replications. Analysis of variance showed significant (P<0.05) variation in all characters. Lowest and highest variables in mean and range were leaf length/width ratio and seed number that were 0.8 and 0.4, and 837 and 4,111, respectively. Eight factors accounted for 79.4% of total variation. The highly variable factors were fruit flesh thickness, length, width and length/width ratio, size, total weight, average weight and number, as well as seed number, 100-seeds weight, length, width, and thickness. Phenotypic coefficients of variation (PCV) were slightly higher or equal to genotypic ones (GCV). High GCV and PCV, heritability and genetic gain resulted for fruit size, total fruit weight, fruits and seeds. Over 70 positive correlations in fruit size, number and seeds with total fruit weight were observed in genotypic and phenotypic variabilities. Maximum positive direct effects on total fruit weight were observed in seeds, fruit average weight, length, and size, while indirect effects were observed in fruit number, flesh thickness, length, peduncle length and days to first flower. Multivariate analysis revealed fruit size, number, total weight, and seeds were characters of great genetic variability, which should be considered as primary components for achieving high yields in pumpkins when screening accessions for selection and improvement.