I am James Muema Daud born in 1975 in Machakos County. I am currently an Agricultural Extension officer employed by Ministry of Agriculture and Food security in Machakos County. I went to Kitulu primary school and obtained Kenya certificate of Primary Education; Grade obtained: B plain. I then proceeded to Kyambuko secondary school and obtained Grade B plain in Kenya certificate of secondary Education. I graduated from Egerton University in Njoro, Kenya where I obtained a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, second class honors upper division in the year 2000. I specialized in general Agriculture. In the year 2006, I was employed by the government of Kenya as an Agricultural officer and posted as divisional Agricultural extension officer where my major role was to offer agriculture extension messages to farmers at the divisional level. I have been a cluster coordinator for Plantwise in Kathiani Sub County for since year 2013. We started with one clinic and to date there are four clinics manned by eight trained plant doctors, two per clinic. I have also been trained as plantwise trainer of Trainers. The training has module 1 which teaches a plant doctor to make good diagnosis and module 2 which teaches a plant doctors to make good recommendation. I have been involved in training the plant doctors in my sub county and in other parts of the country.
Abstract
Tomato in Kenya is the second important vegetable both in production and revenue generation. In recent times, its production and yield has adversely been affected by the newly introduced invasive, tomato leaf miner (Tuta absoluta). A survey to determine farmer pest management practices and strategies was conducted by interviewing one hundred tomato small scale growers. The study established that tomatoes are mainly grown by men (75%). Rio grande and Cal J were the common varieties grown Tuta absoluta was considered the most important pest o associated high yield loss at 40% for tomatoes. About 75% farmers used synthetic pesticides in the management of tomato pests which included pyrethroids and flubendiamide mainly. Non chemical management options were not commonly reported hence used. Efficacy results revealed the potential of the botanicals in the management of Tuta absoluta. There was no significant reduction in leaf damage on tomatoes treated with botanical pesticides but least percentage leaf damage and larval infestation was recorded in tomatoes treated with Pyegar, after Belt the standard, while control had the most leaf damage. There was significant (p<0.05) reduction of larval infestation in tomatoes treated with either Nimbecidine or Pyegar alone compared to control. A combination of Pyegar and Nimbecidine performed poorly but better than control. There was also a significant (p<0.05) fruit increase in tomatoes treated with botanicals. Pyegar had high number after Belt while control had the least. The botanicals can be promoted among tomato growers to reduce pesticide use
Research Supervisors
Dr. Dora Kilalo Prof. Florence.M. Olubayo
