Person:
De Groote, H.

Profile Picture
Email Address
Birth Date
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Job Title
Last Name
De Groote
First Name
H.
Name
De Groote, H.
ORCID ID
0000-0002-5081-0189

Filters

Reset filters

Settings

Region: Kenya ×

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 10 of 15
  • Thumbnail Image
    Publication
  • Thumbnail Image
    On-farm storage loss estimates of maize in Kenya using community survey methods
    (Elsevier Ltd., 2023) De Groote, H.; Muteti, F.N.; Bruce, A.Y.
    Publication
  • Thumbnail Image
    Assessing the contribution of climate-smart agricultural practices to the resilience of maize farmers in Bungoma County, Kenya
    (African Association of Agricultural Economists, 2021) Siminyu, P.; Oluoch-Kosura, W.; De Groote, H.; Mbau, J.S.
    Publication
  • Thumbnail Image
    Using panel community surveys to track the impact of crop pests over time and space – the case of maize lethal necrosis (MLN) disease in Kenya from 2013 to 2018
    (American Phytopathological Society, 2021) De Groote, H.; Munyua, B.G.; Palmas, S.; Suresh, L.M.; Bruce, A.Y.; Kimenju, S.C.
    Publication
  • Thumbnail Image
    Do metal grain silos benefit women in Kenya, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe?
    (Elsevier, 2021) Farnworth, C.; Badstue, L.B.; De Groote, H.; Gitonga, Z.
    Publication
  • Thumbnail Image
    Participatory rural appraisal of farmers' maize selection criteria and production constraints in the moist mid-altitude Zone of Kenya
    (CIMMYT, 2002) Odendo, M.; De Groote, H.; Odongo, O.; Oucho, P.
    Maize is a staple food for most households in Kenya and is grown in almost all agroecological zones. The yield of maize has not kept up with the rate of population growth, leading to serious food insecurity. A major reason seems to be the low uptake of new maize production technologies. Therefore, this study analyzes the attributes farmers consider in choosing their varieties, the use of local and improved varieties in different areas and by different groups, and the constraints farmers face in maize production, in particular pests and diseases. This research was executed in the moist mid-altitude zone in Western Kenya, as part of a nation wide study. The study involved literature review and Participatory Rural Appraisals (PRAs), entailing focused group discussions with male and female farmers as well as key informants. In total, 143 villagers (of which 60 women) participated in 8 group discussions in five villages, sampled from three districts. The districts were selected purposely to represent diverse ecological and socio-economic environments: Busia District (for the striga prone area), Butere-Mumias (for the sugarcane and maize zone) and Homa Bay (for the striga and drought prone area). In each district, the villages were selected using multi-stage random sampling. The moist mid-altitude zone covers a belt around Lake Victoria, from 1110 meter at the shore to about 1500 meter high. Rainfall increases with altitude and averages between 700 and 1800 mm annually, in a bimodal pattern. Mean annual temperature is 22.1 °C, with an average minimum temperature of 13°C and an average maximum of 30 0c. Soils are mainly clay-loam and sandy-loam and not fertile, since there is very little volcanic or other young parent materials. The PRA results show that farmers have diverse selection critera for maize varieties and use them in a diverse combinations. The top three criteria are high yield, early maturity, and tolerance to Striga. Other important criteria are, in order of importance, the low cost of acquiring the seed, grain characteristics, low external input demand and resistance to field and storage pests. Criteria differ among sites and between groups, reflecting in a different use of varieties between sites and between groups. Farmers grow a wide range of varieties. In total, twenty different varieties were identified in the zone, of which 8 are local. In each district, farmers grow 9 or 10 varieties, of which 3-4 local. Local varieties are overall more popular than improved varieties. Only one, Shipindi, is grown in two districts. Three local varieties are grown by a majority of farmers in their district, but are not found in the other districts: Ke-Buganda in Busia, Samaria in ButereMumias, and Nyamula in Homa Bay. Shipindi and Nyuamula are popular yellow varieties, although their price is generally lower than for white maize varieties. The heterogeneity of the zone is also reflected in the range of improved varieties. They include late maturing hybrids such as H622 (grown by 28% of farmers present at the meetings) and H614 (21 %), the OPV Katumani (second in popularity with 26%), and medium length hybrids such as Pioneer 3253, H513 and H511. There is also a clear gender distinction: within a locality, more women usually grow the local varieities, and more men hybrids. The most important constraints to maize production, as reported by the farmers, are low soil fertility, cash or credit availability to purchase inputs, and poor extension service. The farmers explained that the cash constraint is a major problem, and its alleviation would lead to alleviation of many other constraints. The next group of constraints is the lack of farm implements and the related lack of labor. The first pest, striga, is mentioned next. Other stresses that are frequently mentioned include, unreliable rainfall, pests and diseases. Quality of seed are also frequently mentioned, although not the cost of seed. Diseases do not usually rank high on the farmers' perceived constraints list. As a result of cash and other constraints, farmers recycle varieties for long period of time, especially the local varieties but also the hybrids. They apply little or no fertilizers and no pesticides in maize fields. Striga, a parasitic weed typical for the zone, was generally perceived as the most important pest, followed by stem borers and weevils, a major storage insect pest. In Busia, stem borers were rankend first, and in Butere-Mumias, weevils were considered more important than stem borers. Losses due to stem borers were estimated at 20-30%. Farmers would be interested in buying varieties resistant to stem borers, but their price should not be more than 25% higher than that of existing varieties. Farmers are clearly interested in new varieties, and will adopt them as the recently introduced Pioneer 3253 shows. However, new varieties and crop management practices need to take into account not only farmers' preferences, but also their conditions. These conditions include erratic rainfall, low soil fertility and low input use, exacerbated by lack of credit and available labor, all within a framework of unclear agricultural policies. There are clearly opportunities for a wide range of varieties in the zone, and breeders should focus on hardy varieties that are not dependent on high input use, and with resistance to striga, stem borers and weevils. The government can help improve the conditions for maize producers by setting and implementing clear policies. Policies are needed to encourage new companies to develop new varieties, while at the same time setting high quality standards and providing the regulatory agencies with the means for quality control. The government needs to provide the means for agricultural extension, and set policies to promote the provision of extension and credit by NGOs and the private sector. Seed producers and distributors need to operate efficiently so that the price of new varieties does not increase by more than 25%, the maximum increase farmers are willing to accept.
    Publication
  • Thumbnail Image
    Participatory farmer evaluation of stem borer tolerant maize varieties in three maize growing ecologies of Kenya
    (Academic Journals, 2011) Ouma, J.O.; Odendo, M.; Bett, C.; De Groote, H.; Mugo, S.N.; Mutinda, C.J.M.; Gethi, J.; Njoka, S.; Ajanga, S.; Shuma, J.M.
    Insect resistant maize for Africa (IRMA) project aims at developing and deploying insect resistant maize varieties to reduce grain losses due to insect pests. As part of incorporating farmers? perceptions to improve the adoption of the developed varieties, participatory approaches were adopted. The paper analyses farmer?s preferences of maize germplasm developed through conventional breeding. This paper uses data collected from evaluations conducted at the end of 2006 April and October rains season. Nine stem borer resistant maize varieties were evaluated alongside six commercial checks in the moist transitional zones (East and West) at taselling and harvest stage, while in the dry transitional zone and dry mid altitude zones, six new varieties were evaluated together with four commercial checks at harvest stage. Each variety was assessed on a scale of 1(very poor) to 5 (very good) based on key criteria generated in earlier group discussions with farmers and overall score. Data was analyzed using ordinal regression model of Social Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). At the Dry Transitional (DT) zone, CKIR06007 and CKIR06008 were more preferred to the checks based on overall score. CKIR06008 was also more preferred on yield and tolerance to insect pest criteria, while CKIR04002, CKIR06009, and CKIR04003 were perceived more superior to local check based on tolerance to insect pests. In the DM altitude zone, CKIR06008 was better on yield attribute. Three varieties namely CKIR04002, CKIR06007, CKIR06009 were superior on stem borer tolerance attribute. In moist transitional zone Embu only CKIR06005 was more preferred (p<0.01) to the check at harvest stage in April 2006 and October rains season based on early maturity. While there was no preference for the new varieties at vegetative stage in Embu in October rains 2006 season, a number of new varieties CKIR06001, CKIR06002, CKIR06003, CKIR06004, and CKIR06005 were more preferred based on early maturity at harvest in October rains 2006 season. In the moist transitional zone (west) CKIR06004 had good attributes in terms of cob size at taselling stage in April rains 2006. We conclude that farmers perceive some varieties to have good tolerance to insect pests in addition to good yield and early maturity, which are critical attributes to the farmers in the adoption of new varieties.
    Publication
  • Thumbnail Image
    Evaluation of stem borer resistance management strategies for Bt maize in Kenya based on alternative host refugia
    (Academic Journals, 2011) Mulaa, M.; Bergvinson, D.J.; Mugo, S.N.; Wanyama, J.; Tende, R.; De Groote, H.; Tadele Tefera
    Stem borers are the major insect pests of maize in Kenya. The use of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) technology is an effective way of controlling lepidopteran pests. However, the likelihood of development of resistance to the Bt toxins by the target stem borer species is a concern. Forages, sorghum and maize varieties were evaluated for stem borer preference and survivorship in the laboratory and field in four locations in Kenya to identify suitable species and varieties for refugia. The economics of using the different kinds of refugia was also investigated. Vegetation surveys were conducted in 15 districts of Kenya to quantify the area covered by natural refugia. The field and laboratory trials indicated highest egg production, survivorship and more exit holes in all sorghum and maize varieties and some forages. Sorghum, non-Bt Maize, and improved Napier grass varieties Kakamega 1 and Kakamega 2) should be promoted as refugia species in Kenya. Some species and cultivars were identified as cost-effective, flexible, easily adoptable and compatible with farmers? common production practices. Refugia cultivar with multiple uses is expected to give higher pay-offs than one with single use. However, for successful management of a refugia strategy, strict stewardship is required from appropriate government or community institutions.
    Publication
  • Thumbnail Image
    Consulting the stakeholders on pro-poor market segmentation of maize seed in Kenya
    (Academic Journals, 2012) De Groote, H.; Andam, K.; Mugo, S.N.; Hall, M.D.; Ngigi, O.; Benjamin Gathigi Munyua; Spielman, D.
    Market segmentation, while popular in the pharmaceutical industry to reach the poor in developing countries markets, have so far not been successful in delivering agricultural technology to poor farmers. In this paper, their potential use in Kenya is analyzed, based on information gathered through an extensive stakeholder consultation. Results show that some market segmentation methods are used. Seed companies, some non-governmental and public extension organizations sell smaller seed packages and starter kits, and provide discounts for low-income clients. Stakeholders expressed a strong interest in larger-scale market segmentation mechanisms for maize seed and fertilizers, in areas where levels of maize production and densities of the rural populace are high. Several challenges remain: direct price discounts to low-income clients were not appreciated, stakeholders preferred mechanisms that allow farmers’ to choose their preferred inputs such as maize varieties, and segmentation based on geography or technology were considered impractical since the poor and nonpoor live in the same areas and use similar technology. A voucher-based approach was generally preferred, with a discount of about 50% on quantities of about 8 kg per farmer, with beneficiary targeting through direct identification or tiered pricing. A pilot study was proposed to study costs and benefits of the two market segmentation approaches in distributing maize seed, and to determine optimal discount values and quantities.
    Publication
  • Thumbnail Image
    Assessing the potential economic impact of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) maize in Kenya
    (Academic Journals, 2011) De Groote, H.; Overholt, W.A.; Ouma, J.O.; Wanyama, J.
    The Insect Resistant Maize for Africa (IRMA) project is currently developing Bt maize for Kenya. So far, Bt genes with resistance to Chilo partellus, Chilo orichalcociliellus, Eldana sacharina, and Sesamia calamistis, four of the five major stemborers were successfully incorporated into elite CIMMYT maize inbred line (CML216) and tested in insect bioassays in Kenya. Participatory Rural Appraisals showed that stem borers are indeed major pest problems for farmers. Four seasons of on-farm crop loss assessment showed an average crop loss of 13.5%, or 0.4 million tons, valued at US$ 80 million. If the project manages to find a Bt gene that is effective to the fifth stemborer, Busseola fusca, adoption rates are likely to be high, and therefore the returns. Under standard assumptions, the economic surplus of the project is calculated at $ 208 million over 25 years (66% of which is consumer surplus) as compared to a cost of $5.7 million. Geographically, the project should focus on the high production moist-transitional zone. However, if such gene cannot be found, Bt maize technology would only be effective in the low potential areas, and adoption rates would be fairly low, although benefits would still exceed costs.
    Publication