PROGRESS REPORT OF ASAL/APRP PROJECTS IN KALRO MARIAKANI

AS ON 21^TH SEPTEMBER 2015

The Centre has two projects under ASAL/APRP Programme;

Ø   Beef value chain grazing trial using pasture/legume mixers

Ø  National Performance Trial for pasture grasses and forage sorghums(NPT)

Beef value chain grazing trial:

Harvesting and threshing of X-Tozi seed in the pasture/legume mixers came to end. So far we have harvested over 150 kg of seed. All holes for fencing the grazing trial have been dug and ready for fencing. Barbed wire, staples, posts procured through KALRO Mtwapa have been delivered. Electronic cattle weighbridge has also been repaired. The posts procured through KALRO Mtwapa had not been debarked and also not treated against termite attack as they were of blue gum type since cedar posts we had wanted were not available. Consequently, we debarked all the posts and treated them with used boiled oil. Fencing the grazing trial plots has now started. The electronic cattle weighbridge was repaired and in good working condition. Part of the funds requested for fencing the trial were received recently from Mtwapa where the Centre funds are held. Pasture/legume mixers is currently being harvested and baling hay has started. The fresh regrowth will be used for grazing trial. We intend to put in experimental steers in the month of October/November, 2015.

Harvesting X-Tozi seed in the pasture               threshing harvested X-Tozi Rhodes seed

Legume mixers plots

                Debucking fencing posts                                    treating fencing posts for fencing grazing trial