Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are vital drivers of economic growth in Kenya, yet they face persistent barriers, including limited capacity, financial exclusion, and weak market integration. This study assessed the potential of universities as strategic hubs for MSME capacity building through a collaborative initiative between Egerton University and the KCB Foundation. Using the International Labour Organization’s Start and Improve Your Business (SIYB) methodology, 481 entrepreneurs from Egerton, Njoro, and Gilgil were trained in a business development bootcamp. This study evaluated the training effectiveness, participant demographics, confidence in skill application, networking outcomes, and satisfaction levels. The results showed high participant confidence (over 95% across all regions), strong financial management uptake (85%), and mobile banking adoption (70%). Gilgil led in inclusivity and peer engagement, while Njoro showed stronger gender representation. However, logistical challenges caused 25% absenteeism in rural areas, and only 23% accessed post-training mentorship. These findings underscore the transformative role of HEIs in fostering sustainable entrepreneurship through localized, inclusive, and industry-aligned training. Policy recommendations include hybrid delivery models, tiered curricula for diverse skill levels, and institutionalized mentorship through public–private partnerships. This case demonstrates the value of embedding entrepreneurship support within university mandates to advance national MSME development agendas.

This study focused on mapping agripreneurship curriculum and lecturers’ competencies in 8 African Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), participating in the Strengthening Agri-Entrepreneurship and Community Engagement Training in East, West and North Africa (AgriENGAGE) joint Project. A sample of 194 lecturers from East, West, and North Africa participated in the study. The study employed a mixed method approach with concurrent nested research design methodology to collect information. Among the main results found in this study, the key aspects that were implemented in curricula were; business plan development (µ = 3.57), business opportunities identification (µ = 3.56), and communicating with value chain actors (= 3.51). Concerning the forms of entrepreneurship taught, most institutions focused on subsistence agripreneurship (µ = 3.23) with growth-oriented agripreneurship (µ = 2.50) and innovative-oriented agripreneurship (µ = 2.50) having the lowest rating. Regarding teaching methods within the provision of entrepreneurship education, most of the institutions were using traditional teaching methodologies with the common ones being formal lectures, field trips, in-class group discussions, and group project-based learning. Most lecturers had low teaching competencies concerning instructional quality and a moderate/average level of entrepreneurial competencies. The study recommends that universities should implement more professional development and pedagogical training over and above the subject competency to improve lecturers’ entrepreneurial competency.

French bean growers, rely mainly on pesticides for pest management. the acceptable tolerance for pesticides residue in French beans is a major concern and has led to several tonnes of the crop continuously rejected and listed as unsafe for human consumption. There is growing demand for alternative approaches and products that are effective at managing pests without the side-effects associated with reliance on pesticides. A field study to determine the combined effects of Metarhizium anisopliae, (Metarril WP E9 and Biomagic) biopesticides and border crops (Sunflower and wheat) on aphid population, damage severity, growth, yield and quality of French bean. A two-factor experiment was conducted at the Egerton University, Kenya First factor included two border crops (sunflower and wheat) and no border crop (control). Second factor included spraying Metarril WPE9 (2×108cfu/g), Biomagic (2×108cfu/ml) biopesticides, alpha-cypermethrin (synthetic insecticide) and water. Data on growth, yield and quality parameter were collected and analyzed using the SAS version 9.4M8. Results showed that M. anisopliae and border crop significantly (p < 0.0005) enhanced growth, yield and quality of French bean in both seasons. French bean grown with wheat or sunflower borders showed a significant reduction in aphid population (p < 0.0001) and damage severity (p < 0.0001) when sprayed with various treatments compared to the control. Plots with wheat border caused an increase in collar diameter of French bean. The plots (Metarril and wheat border) caused a 4% and 5% increase in marketable yield, a 2% and 12% reduction in non-marketable yield. To exploit the benefits of biopesticides, the study recommends their integration with and border crops. Thus, French bean growers could benefit more from fungal-based biopesticides in aphid-IPM approach, as it reduces pre-harvest intervals and residues compared to synthetic insecticides.

Black bean aphid (BBA) is a serious insect pest that severely significantly impacts French bean production. Over-reliance on synthetic chemicals to reduce economic losses caused by aphids poses serious environmental and human health threats. Biopesticides containing entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) have potential as viable alternatives that can be incorporated into integrated to manage such insect pests. The efficacy of Metarhizium anisopliae against BBA was assessed in the laboratory under a complete randomized design (CRD) design with five replicates. Data was analysed using SAS 9.4 (2021). In part one, Metarhizium anisopliae products caused bean aphid mortality etween 60.1% and 95.5%. Mazao supreme (4×108 spores/ml) and Metarril (4×108 spores/ml) caused the highest mortality (95.5%) and the lowest concentration of irrespective product caused the lowest mortality (60.1%) after treatment application. In part two, alpha-cypermethrin caused the highest aphid mortality (99.3%), followed by Metarril (84.2%), Mazao (80.7%) and biomagic had the lowest (68.4%) mortality after treatment application. Alpha-cypermethrin had the lowest lethatl time (LT50), causing 50% aphid mortality, followed by Metarril, Mazao supreme, and biomagic. Differents treatments had varying effects on nymph numbers. Alpha-cypermethrin caused 50% aphid mortality, followed by Metarril, Mazao supreme, and biomagic, with varying effects on nymph numbers. The study recommends incorporating Metarhizium anisopliae-based biopesticides, particularly Metarril by small holder farmers to offer a cost-effective integrated pest management approach for managing BBA (adults and nymphs) in French bean production while reducing reliance on synthetic chemicals. Keywords: Black bean aphid, biopesticides, French beans

The underperformance of agricultural education systems in Africa is evident through various indicators such as increased unemployment among recent agricultural graduates, inefficiencies in agricultural product value chains, and a decline in enrollment in agricultural schools. The AgriENGAGE project, which included eight African universities, was supported through the Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education program funded by the European Commission to address these challenges. The project aimed to contribute toward revitalizing agricultural education systems to stimulate agricultural transformation and enhance the sector’s competitiveness while meeting the labor market’s demands. This article draws on lessons learned at eight universities to provide a perspective on agri-entrepreneurship education integration in African universities. We provide descriptions, experiences, and insights on agri-entrepreneurship education integration in partner universities in Kenya, Benin, Morocco, and Uganda. Based on these experiences, we provide perspectives on reducing youth unemployment and improving the effectiveness of agricultural education in contributing to the development of sustainable food systems.

Bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) experiences significant qualitative and quantitative loss during postharvest. This study aimed at providing an alternative postharvest handling technology for bell pepper. The factor studied was cactus (Opuntia stricta L.) mucilage coating at four levels: 0% (distilled water), 1, 2, and 3%. The fruits were stored under ambient conditions (25 ± 2°C temperature and 65 ± 2% relative humidity) until senescence. Weight loss and total soluble solids content were determined at an interval of 3 days whereas iron and ascorbic acid content were determined at an interval of 4 days. Shelf life elapsed when fruit lost 25% of their initial weight on average. Cactus mucilage coating reduced weight loss by up to 21.64%, maintained total soluble solids by up to 14.93%, iron by up to 6.46%, ascorbic acid by up to 19.46% and extended shelf life by up to 6 days. Cactus mucilage coating at 1% was the best treatment and therefore can be used by bell pepper growers, retailers, and consumers to maintain postharvest quality and extend shelf life of bell pepper.

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is one of the most important vegetables worldwide. Tomato productivity is limited by, among other factors, biotic constraints including root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne species) which lower both quality and quantity of the crop. Two trials were conducted at the Horticulture Research and Teaching Field, Egerton University, Kenya, to evaluate effects of fresh organic manure and slender leaf (Crotalaria brevidens var. brevidens Benth.) intercrop on management of root-knot nematode during tomato production as well as establish their effect on tomato growth and yield. Variables measured were nematode infestation, plant height, stem collar diameter, number of internodes and branches, number of fruits, and fresh fruit weight. Use of fresh organic manure and slender leaf intercrop suppressed the nematode population by 27.8% to 53.5% reduction and significantly increased tomato fruit numbers by 22.2% to 49.7% and fresh fruit weight by 24.5% to 80.4% when used alone or in combinations compared to the control treatment. The combination of fresh goat dung and slender leaf intercrop resulted in the highest reduction in nematode population of 53.5% and highest increase in total number of fruits of 49.7% and fresh fruit weight of 80.4%.

Arable land area is declining in many tropical and sub-tropical regions and increasing tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) production is necessary due to its high demand. Food security amid scarcity of arable land could be achieved through intensification as a way of maximizing productivity per unit area of available arable land. Trials were conducted at the Horticulture Research and Teaching Field, Egerton University, Njoro, Kenya, to evaluate effects of agronet cover and fresh manure on carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration in the air around the crop canopy and tomato plant development. In addition to CO2 concentration levels, stem diameter, plant height, number of internodes and branches, number of fruit and fresh fruit weight were determined. Use of agronet cover and fresh manure resulted in higher CO2 concentration and enhanced tomato growth and yield. The highest CO2 concentration in the air around the crop canopy was in plots treated with fresh goat dung and those covered with agronet; the lowest CO2 concentration was in plots with no manure and those without agronet at all data collection dates. Application of fresh cow dung and covering plots with agronet stimulated tomato stem elongation; application of fresh goat dung and covering with agronet enhanced stem diameter, number of internodes and branches. Higher tomato yields were obtained with use of fresh manure and agronet cover. There were differences in response of tomato plants to fresh manure source with fresh goat dung showing greater potential for use in CO2 enrichment and enhancing tomato crop performance. Use of fresh manure and agronet covers could enrich CO2 levels in open field tomato production leading to improved growth and yield.

Bell pepper ( Capsicum annuum L.) experiences significant loss during postharvest handling. This study aimed to provide an alternative postharvest handling technology for the vegetable. The factor studied was Ca CaCl 2 at 4 levels: 0% (distilled water), 3, 6 and 9%. Weight loss and total soluble solids were determined at an interval of 3 days whereas total chlorophyll, Fe, ascorbic acid and Ca content were determined at an interval of 4 days. Shelf life elapsed when fruit lost 25% of their initial weight. Calcium CaCl 2 reduced weight loss by up to 16.7%, increased Ca content by up to 252.7%, maintained total soluble solids by up to 11.8%, total chlorophyll by up to 23.3%, Fe by up to 10.1%, ascorbic acid by up to 13.9% and Ca content by up to 13.7% and extended shelf life by up to 3 days. Calcium CaCl 2 at 6% was the best treatment and therefore can be used by bell pepper growers, retailers and consumers to maintain postharvest quality of bell pepper. of 5% oxalic acid solution to mL with the same oxalic acid solution. Ascorbic titrated with 0.005% solution a persistent slight pink end point and 10 mL of oxalic acid as a blank. The amount of ascorbic acid to 1 mL of indophenol solution was calculated. Into a 50 mL flask, 10 mL of the gravity filtered sample extract was pipetted and made to the mark with the 5% oxalic acid solution. The standard indophenol solution was used to titrate 10 ml of the filtrate to a slight pink end point. Vitamin C content was calculated Obel

Despite its economic importance of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), many growers are unable to achieve maximum yield of high quality due to insect pest infestation. This study was aimed at determining the effectiveness of parasitoid Erectomocerus eremicus and crude plant extracts of garlic and chilli as an integrated alternative control method of greenhouse whitefly (GHW) on yield of tomato variety ‘Anna F1’. The study was conducted at Egerton University using a split plot arrangement in randomized complete block design, replicated three times. Parasitoid was the main plot factor at two levels (with and without E. eremicus) while sprays of distilled water (negative control), Abamectin (positive control), chilli and garlic extracts formed the sub-plot factors. Data on GHW incidence, population density, parasitisation rate, yield was collected. Data collected was subjected to analysis of variance and means of significant treatments separated using Tukey’s test at p = 0.05. Combined use of botanical extracts and E. eremicus had better effects on the management of whitefly population, infestation, and in enhancing growth and yield of greenhouse tomato plants compared to where they were used alone. Botanical plant extracts and/or E. eremicus can be used in the management of GHW and to improve tomato yields.

French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is important in the socio-economic farming systems of East and Central Africa. It is a crop with great potential for addressing food insecurity, income generation and poverty alleviation in the region. Enhanced French bean productivity is hindered by a number of biotic and abiotic constraints as the crop is predominantly grown in open fields. The crop is mostly grown under irrigation and cannot withstand prolonged dry spells. Farmers rely heavily on insecticides to control insect pests. This increases the risk of rejection of their produce due to stringent maximum residue levels (MRLs) in export markets. This study was undertaken in the Horticulture Research and Teaching Field, Egerton University, Kenya to determine the potential of coloured net covers in improving French bean water use efficiency and insect pest exclusion. The experiment was set in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with six treatments replicated four times. French bean ‘Source’ was grown under different coloured nets (white, blue, yellow, grey, and tricolour) and control (open field). Variables measured included; pest population, fresh pod yield, total plant biomass, leaf relative water content (LRWC) and water use efficiency for plant growth (WUE DW). Covering French bean with different coloured net covers reduced the numbers of silverleaf whitefly and black bean aphids. Coloured net covers enhanced crop performance marked by higher fresh pod yield and total plant biomass as well as improved LRWC and WUE DW of the crop. Results of this study present the potential of coloured net covers to be used as part of integrated French bean management programme(s) to reduce insect pest population and pesticide application while enhancing water use efficiency and crop performance under tropical field conditions.

Indigenous leafy vegetables play a major role in strategies to attain food and nutritional security for African households. However, the potential of these vegetables in meeting the nutritional requirements have not been adequately exploited. This study assessed effects of shadenets on nutritive value of African indigenous leafy vegetables. The vegetables African nightshade (Solanum scabrum Mill.) and spiderplant (Cleome gynandra L.) and net covers colored white, gray, blue, and yellow, with unnetted plants as a control were used. From the 7th week after sowing (spiderplant) and transplanting (African nightshade) and at 2-week intervals nutritive quality variables were determined. Compared to open field, white net produced higher leaf β-carotene at 13 weeks after planting by 6% and 17% for African nightshade and spiderplant, respectively. Use of blue net cover reduced leaf vitamin C content by 94.5% and 79% in African nightshade and spiderplant, respectively, compared to open field at 15 weeks after planting. Higher leaf calcium was consistently recorded for plants grown under yellow net cover for African nightshade and white nets for spiderplant; but was reduced under blue net for both species on most sampling dates. Leaf iron content was maximized under yellow net cover for both crops. Use of net covers reduced leaf crude fiber content compared to open field; high leaf phenolic content was obtained in crops grown under white net for both vegetables. The crop responses were attributed to spectral quality, light intensity, and environmental changes to which the crops were subjected. The different colored agronet covers differentially influenced crop leaf nutritive quality.

Poor returns from open field cabbage (Brassica oleraceae var. capitata) production in sub-Saharan Africa are attributed to compromised yield due to high pest infestation. With chemical control measures becoming increasingly uneconomical and hazardous, relatively cheaper and eco-friendly alternative technologies are imperative. Two trials were conducted at the Horticulture Research and Teaching Field, Egerton University, Kenya to assess the yield and economic benefits of using agronet covers against major insect pests of cabbage. A randomized complete block design with six treatments replicated five times, was used. The treatments comprised of 0.4 mm and 0.9 mm pore diameter agronet covers maintained either by (i) opening thrice a week between 9.00 am and 5.00 pm or (ii) permanently covered except during routine crop maintenance, unprotected cabbage sprayed with insecticide and unprotected cabbage without any insecticide application (control). Agronet maintained permanently covered significantly reduced populations of cabbage aphids, diamondback moth, cabbage looper, mites, and leaf miners at P=0.05. Agronet covers reduced insecticide sprays per crop cycle from 11 to 1 and improved marketable cabbage head numbers by between 15.0-43.5% compared to the control and 2.1-27.3% compared to spraying with insecticides. Marketable head weight was higher by between 28.7-130.1% under agronets compared to the control and by 9.3-95.4% compared to spraying with insecticides. The highest cabbage marketable yields and net income on sales were obtained under the 0.9 mm pore diameter agronet maintained permanently covered which gave the highest cost benefit ratio of 1:17.1 in season one and 1:26.2 in season two. These results present permanent use of 0.9 mm pore diameter agronets as a viable technology in reducing insect pest infestation and cost of Original Research Article Mwanarusi and M’mbone; IJPSS, X(X): xxx-xxx, 20YY; Article no.IJPSS.33585 2 cabbage production. This is achieved through reduced pesticide use with a potential of contributing towards environmentally safe and profitable cabbage production by small-scale growers in subSaharan Africa.

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicon Mill) is one of the most important vegetable crops consumed throughout the world; and is rich in important vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Production of the crop in open fields is however constrained by several biotic and abiotic stresses that lead to low tomato yields and quality. This study aimed at determining the effects of coloured agro-net covers on microclimate, pest infestation and yield of tomato cultivar ‘‘Rio Grande’’. The study consisted of two trials conducted using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with five replications and six treatments. Tomato plants were grown under blue, yellow, grey, white or multi-coloured net covers with a no net cover as the control. Data were collected on microclimate (temperature, soil moisture, relative humidity and photosynthetically active radiation), pest counts and crop yield variables. Net covering modified the tomato crop microclimate with highest temperatures and soil moisture and, relative humidity levels recorded under white (21.03 oC), blue (30.03%) and multi-coloured net covers (76.26%), respectively compared to the no net control treatment (16.32 oC, 14.82% and 64.90%). Photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) was lowest under the blue agro-net cover (416.09 µmol m-2 s-1) and highest under control treatment (985.00 µmol m-2 s-1). Tomato plants grown under coloured-colour nets (yellow and blue) had lower population of silverleaf whitefly, thrips and aphids while mite population was lower under neutral-colour net covers (white, grey and multi-coloured). The neutral-colour net covers (24938.87, 19525.16 and 21541.93 kg/ha) resulted in higher yields compared to coloured-colour net covers (16804.62 and 14551.05 kg/ha). Results of the study indicate that use of agro-net covers especially the neutral-colour net cover can improve microclimate, protect tomato against insect pests and can be considered a viable strategy for tomato production by smallholder growers.

Tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) are one of the biggest vegetable crops in the world, supplying a wide range of vitamins, minerals and fibre in human diets. In the tropics, tomatoes are predominantly grown under sub-optimal conditions by subsistence farmers, with exposure to biotic and abiotic stresses in the open field. Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci Gennadius) is one of the major pests of the tomato, potentially causing up to 100% yield loss. To control whitefly, most growers indiscriminately use synthetic insecticides which negatively impact the environment, humans, and other natural pest management systems, while also increasing cost of production. This study sought to investigate the effectiveness of agronet covers and companion planting with aromatic basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) as an alternative management strategy for whitefly in tomatoes and to evaluate the use of these treatments ontomato growth and yield. Two trials were conducted at the Horticulture Research and Training Field, Egerton University, Njoro, Kenya. Treatments comprised a combination of two factors, (1) growing environment (agronet and no agronet) and (2) companion planting with a row of basil surrounding tomato plants, a row of basil in between adjacent rows of tomato, no companion planting. Agronet covers and companion cropping with a row of basil planted between adjacent tomato rows significantly lowered B. tabaci infestation in tomatoes by 68.7%. Better tomato yields were also recorded in treatments where the two treatments were used in combination. Higher yield (13.75 t/ha) was obtained from tomatoes grown under agronet cover with a basil row planted in between adjacent rows of the tomato crop compared to 5.9 t/ha in the control. Non-marketable yield was also lowered to5.9 t/ha compared to 9.8 t/ha in the control following the use of the two treatments in combination. The results of this study demonstrate the potential viability of using companion cropping and agronet covers in integrated management of B. tabaci and improvement of tomato yield.

Purpose– Contract farming (CF) is seen as a tool for creating new market opportunities hence increasing incomes for smallholder farmers. Critics, however, argue that CF is likely to pass risks to small scale farmers, thus favouring large scale farmers at the expense of smallholder farmers. The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of CF on smallholder farmers’ income using a case study of avocado farmers in Kandara district in Kenya.Design/methodology/approach– The study uses data collected from 100 smallholder avocado farmers in Kandara district in Kenya and employs an instrumental variable model (Probit-2SLS) to control for endogeneity in participation in the contract and examine the effect of CF on household, farm and avocado income.Findings– The results indicate that participation in CF is not sufficient to improve household, farm and avocado income. Question remains regarding efficient implementation of CF arrangements to promote spill over effects on other household enterprises.Research limitations/implications– The research was carried out using farmers in Kandara district in Kenya as a case study, findings might therefore not reflect the status of CF in all countries.Originality/value– The paper contributes to the growing debate on the effect of value chain upgrading strategies such as contracting on smallholder farmers’ welfare. The form of contracting studied in this paper differs from the standard contracts in that the key stakeholders (producers) are loosely enjoined in the contract through officials of their groups.

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to determine the factors influencing adoption of African indigenous vegetables (AIVs) into the agro-pastoral farming systems aiming at improving livelihoods. Design/methodology/approach - The paper is based upon the diffusion theory which is linked to the random utility theory. A survey of 205 agro-pastoral households obtained through multistage sampling technique was used. Factors influencing adoption of AIVs were estimated using a logit model. Findings - Findings indicate that the acreage under AIVs was still very low compared to other crop enterprises with the most common types of AIVs grown being Solanum nigrum, Amaranthus spp., Cucurbita maxima, Vigna unguiculata, Basella alba and Cleome gynandra. Factors influencing adoption were found to be gender, age, farm size, education level, off-farm income and number of visits to extension officer. Research limitations/implications - Limitations include reliance on respondents' willingness to provide correct information. Originality/value - This paper adds value in its contribution to literature on diversifying agro-pastoral livelihoods through production of AIVs for income and food security.