Participatory evaluation of Urochloa and Megathyrsus forage species in western Kenya: Farmers perspective

Among the most prevalent constraint to increased productivity is limited forage
quality and quantity throughout the year.Napier stunting disease, which suppresses forage production from Napier grass, the most prevalent cultivated forage in western Kenya, exacerbates this.

To contribute to addressing the problem, we selected several hybrids/cultivars of Urochloa and Megathyrsus and grown by several farmer groups in Kakamega, Busia, Bungoma and Siaya counties in western Kenya.

To rate the forages, we guided farmers to generating criteria by each group on parameters/attributes they consider ideal for a forage to possess. On a scale of 1–9, farmers scored on the way they perceive
each criterion with the higher the score the more relevance it carries.

Odhiambo, Ruth; Mwendia, Solomon W.; Mwangi, David; Juma, Alfred; Notenbaert, An Maria. Omer