http://hdl.handle.net/11295/10322 2017-07-09T18:01:11Z http://hdl.handle.net/11295/100933 Improving Access to Postgraduate Training in Crop Protection for Agricultural Practitioners Through Distance Learning at the University of Nairobi, Kenya Muthomi, J W; Mwang’ombe, A W; Olubayo, F M The Department of Plant Science and Crop Protection of the University of Nairobi launched the first postgraduate training by distance learning in 2010. Development of the Open and Distance Learning (ODL) mode of delivery was based on client-driven demand for a flexible mode of learning by agriculture graduates who had specialized in Crop Protection at final year at undergraduate and holding management positions in horticulture industry. This demand was necessitated by the requirement by public and private sector employers that professionals at management positions should have advanced training and skills in order to satisfy the increasingly competitive job market. However, the employers are unable to grant study leave for workers to pursue postgraduate training. Therefore, the ODL mode of delivery was developed to open up opportunities in postgraduate training in Master of Science in Crop Protection. The ODL programme was initiated in 2008, starting with review of curriculum to accommodate open and distance learning mode. Academic and technical staff were sensitized on the need for ODeL mode of postgraduate training. Many feared that it would not be possible to deliver a science-based programme by distance learning due to the practical component involved. The new training approach focused on distance learning based on provision of hard copy manuals because many of the potential students worked in the agriculture sector and most stations were located in rural areas without stable cell phone and internet connectivity. The first ODL intake was launched in October 2010 with a class of 13 students. Every year the programme admits over 15 students and at the beginning of each academic year, the new students are inducted in to the ODL mode of training. The main medium of instruction is the print in the form of self-instructional modules. These serve in the place of the teachers as they contain the subject content and instructional devices to guide learners. To support the printed modules, academic support services are provided by face to face tuition sessions held during the semester. The face to face on campus sessions are dedicated practicals, tutorial sessions, continuous assessments, presentation of term papers and consultation with supervisors on thesis research. Through the ODL mode of delivery class sizes have increased from five to about 20 students per intake every year. The approach has maximized the use of limited physical and human resources and significantly reduced the unit cost of postgraduate training. The new frontier is to convert the programmes to full e-delivery since internet connectivity has improved in many parts of the country. 2016-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/11295/100491 Time series analysis and forecasting of carbon dioxide emissions: a case of Kenya OLILA, Dennis O; Wasonga, Oliver V. Climate change and variability is perhaps one of the major challenge s facing the world today. There is an equivocal agreement that climate change is not only a threat to the economies of developing world, but also to those of the developed countries . One of the key drivers of global warming is the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Even though several studies have in the recent past evaluated various sources of GHG emissions and their associated impacts, little empirical information exists on the role played by burning savanna grasslands as far as global warming is concerned. This study is an attempt to determine the emission pattern over time and consequently forecast the trend in GHG emissions from the Kenya’ Savanna. Using Autoregressive (AR) modelling, the study analyzes and forecasts time series data from the year 1993 to 2012 . The key finding s of the study indicate that emissions resulting from continual burning of Savanna grasslands will continue in an upward trend if no mitigation measure is put in place to revert the statusquo. Averting the current state of affairs requires policies aimed at reducing the levels of GHGs in the atmosphere such as promotion of Climate Smart Agricultural (CSA) Practices. 2016-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/11295/100490 Climate change, savanna grassland, autoregressive model, time series data OLILA, Dennis O; Wasonga, Oliver V. Climate change and climate variability is perhaps one of the major challenge s facing the world today. There is an equivocal agreement that climate change is not only a threat to the economies of developing world, but also to those of the developed economies. One of the key drivers of global warming is the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Even though several studies have in the recent past evaluated various sources of GHG emissions and their associated impacts, little empirical information exists on the role played by burning savanna grasslands as far as global warming is concerned. This study is an attempt to determine the emission pattern over time and consequently forecast the linear trend in GHG emissions from the Kenya’ Savanna. Using Autoregressive (AR) modelling, the study analyzes and forecasts time series data ra nging from the year 1993 to 2012 . The key finding of the study indicate that emissions resulting from continual burning of Savanna grasslands will continue in an upward trend if no serious mitigation measure is put in place to revert the statusquo. Averting the current state of affairs requir es policies aimed at reducing the levels of GHGs in the atmosphere for instance promotion of Climate Smart Agricultural (CSA) Practices. 2016-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/11295/96018 A Study of Drying Behaviour of Potato Slices Joseph, Kangogo Kipyakwai Potato (Solarium tuberosum) is an underexploited tuber with promising economic value and the potential to help ease the world food problem. It produces more calories per unit area of land than other tropical root crops and tubers. For practical and efficient utilization, it must be processed into ration dense, stable forms. A study was made to process the Desiree variety into dried slices which could be stored at tropical ambient conditions for at least one year. The quality of the air dried slices were evaluated. Results indicate this approach to be feasible. Forced-convection drying behaviour of potato slices was experimentally determined as a function of the drying air temperature, airflow rate and thickness of the slices under laboratory conditions. Drying of potato slices is an unsteady-state process under the control of diffusion rate of water through the slice surface. Therefore, temperature, thickness of the potato slices and the drying air flow rate control the drying rate, in tnis work, the initial thickness of potato slices was kept constant at 2 mm, 4 mm and 6 mm and the effects of drying air temperature and airflow rate were investigated. Through the measurements of moisture content, colour and rehydration, actual drying behaviour of potato slices under different dryer conditions were determined. Colour and rehydraticn of the dried slices were used as criteria for the evaluation and determination of the optimum conditions. Statistical analysis of experimental data showed the drying air temperature had the greatest effect on drying rate and quality, followed by slice thickness; air mass flow rate had little effect on the thin-layer drying rate. Specifically, drying rate was inversely proportional to the square of slice thickness at constant drying air temperature. Three-term drying equation models developed using the statistical method of successive residuals were considered sufficient for practical applications. A thin layer drying equation that can predict drying behaviour of potato slices was also developed. The quality of the air dried slices were evaluated and a nonlinear model was developed for vitamin C degradation based on the applicability of the Arrhenius equation. 1997-01-01T00:00:00Z