Journal of Engineering in Agriculture and the Environment

PERFORMANCE OF A LOCALLY FABRICATED ONE-ROW POTATO HARVESTER FOR WALK-TRACTOR

Martin Nanje — 2025-02-03

This study evaluates the performance of a locally fabricated one-row mechanized potato harvester designed for small and medium-scale farms in Kenya, focusing on its efficiency across different soil conditions. Mechanized harvesting addresses inefficiencies and post-harvest losses in potato farming, particularly in Kenya's diverse agricultural environments. The harvester was tested under dry soil (moisture content below 15%) and moderately wet soil (moisture content between 20% and 25%) conditions. Key performance metrics assessed included harvesting efficiency, tuber damage rate, fuel consumption, and field capacity. The harvester achieved an average efficiency of 93.4%, with higher performance observed in moderately wet soil (94.7%) compared to dry soil (92.1%). The average tuber damage rate was 4.2%, with more significant damage occurring in dry soil (4.8%) than in wet soil (3.6%). Fuel consumption remained consistent at 2.5 liters/hectare, and field capacity was measured at 0.4 hectares/hour. These results demonstrate the harvester's reliability and adaptability to local farming conditions, providing a mechanical potato harvesting solution for small-scale farmers in Kenya.

ANALYSIS OF SPATIOTEMPORAL VARIATION OF RIVER SOSIANI WATER QUALITY IN WESTERN KENYA

Maemba Okori — 2025-02-03

This study evaluates spatiotemporal variation in physiochemical properties of River Sosiani water in Eldoret, Kenya. River Sosiani is an essential supply of water for the residents and industrial activities in Eldoret town. Water Samples were collected in six sampling point along River Sosiani for a period of six months in dry and rainy season and analyzed in accordance with APHA water sampling and processing procedure. Data was managed and analyzed using Excel data analysis function. One way ANOVA and paired t-test analysis were used to determine statistically significant variation in physiochemical parameters along River Sosiani. River Sosiani exhibited spatial variation of all water quality parameters between the means for DO (P=1.20E-19), BOD (P=8.32E-83), Temperature (P=6.00E-13), EC (P=5.32E-14), TDS (P=3.18E-13), pH (P=1.15E-28), Nitrate-N (P=1.49E-33) and TP (P=1.06E-30). Seasonally, all parameters indicated significant temporal variation between the means for DO (P=5.66E-18), BOD (P=2.38E-03), Temperature (P=3.92E-11), EC (P=3.81E-10), TDS (P=1.31E-09), pH (P=1.35E-02), Nitrate-N (P=1.38E-13) and TP (P=6.72E-08). Some of the physiochemical parameters tested were within the recommended WASREB, NEMA and WHO permissible limits for drinking water. However, the study conclusively showed that the water quality of River Sosiani is deteriorated and hence unsuitable for human use. The study recommends urgent measures to conserve the catchment be undertaken and restoration of degraded river section to ensure sustained future provision of ecological services to riparian communities and enhance river’s biological integrity.

HATCHING SYSTEMS IN SIAYA COUNTY

Evans Nadecho — 2025-02-03

Poultry farming in Kenya plays a major role in complementing rural and peri-urban households’ food security and income. Farmers have turned to rearing of improved indigenous chicken (IC) due to the fast growth and high production of eggs; one of the strategies used to enhance development of IC is to supply day old chicks to producers. However, the demand for day old chicks outstrips supply because of low hatchability experienced in small holder hatcheries. This study characterized the hatching systems in Siaya County. A survey was conducted on small holder farms and hatcheries to establish characteristics of hatching systems in Siaya County. The study showed that the breeding stock were reared in enclosed and free-range systems with a dominant species of Sasso kuroiler, kenbro and KALRO improved chicken, 55% of the farms attained the standard cock to hen ratio of 1:7 and eggs were stored using both conventional and non-conventional methods. The management practices of the hatchery systems fell outside the standard practices and this contributed immensely for poor performance of farming enterprises. Adoption and implementation of standard practices in hatching systems will contribute to higher performance.

DEVELOPMENT OF AN IMPROVED LOW-COST SOLAR STILL FOR THE PRODUCTION OF POTABLE WATER FOR REGIONS WITH LOW SOLAR IRRADIANCE

Lumnwi Modeste — 2025-01-28

Many developing countries are faced with inadequate access to potable water, especially in rural and peri-urban areas, where available freshwater is unsuitable for domestic use. Desalination is a potential solution for purifying polluted or saline water, but common methods are energy-intensive, driving interest in more economical options like solar distillation. Solar distillation, which uses a solar still for water purification, is a promising method but is often limited by low productivity. Single-basin solar stills typically achieve less than 5 litres of freshwater per square meter per day, necessitating further research to enhance output. The primary objective of this study was to develop a cost-effective solar still by incorporating paraffin wax as a phase change material coupled with a heating element (soleplate of a solar pressing iron) to boost productivity. Findings showed that productivity increased with the mass of paraffin wax, reaching a maximum value of 8.6 liters per square meter. Productivities were recorded as 0.75 litres per square meter for the passive solar still, 4.2 litres per square meter for the active solar still, and a peak of 8.6 litres per square meter for the enhanced solar still, reflecting a 104.8% increase in productivity. With a basin water volume of 3 litres, the conventional solar still reached a maximum temperature of 41.2°C, while the enhanced solar still achieved 89.6°C. The cost of water production from the solar still was estimated at $0.01 per litre.

AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY OPERATION TRAINING IN KENYA

Patrick Wamalwa — 2025-02-03

Farm mechanization in Kenya is influenced by increasing population pressure, evolving farm structures, labor availability, and the costs and suitability of technology. Despite investing in expensive tractors, many farmers lack the knowledge to properly operate and maintain them, often leading to inefficiencies and soil degradation. In response, Egerton University, in partnership with Hello Tractor Ltd., the Micro-Enterprise Support Programme, and local tractor dealers, developed an agricultural machinery training program. This program is designed to equip farmers and tractor operators with the skills necessary to maximize machinery efficiency for improved yields while ensuring long-term farm profitability and sustainability. It features eight comprehensive modules that transform tractor drivers into certified agricultural machinery operators. Graduates earn a certificate of competency and a G12 endorsement on their driving licenses. The program’s assessment is divided into 30% theoretical learning and 70% practical fieldwork with agricultural machinery. With a target of training 10,000 operators, the program also aims to unlock financing opportunities for youth and women in agriculture. To date, approximately 280 participants have completed the training, with 85% achieving certification. The gender breakdown includes 86 women (31%) and 194 men (69%). Trainees highly rated the practical skills they acquired, such as ploughing, harrowing, tractor driving, operating planters and boom sprayers, and performing maintenance tasks. These hands-on experiences provide a deeper, more personal understanding of key agricultural concepts.