Onions stop tomato aphids attack.

In cutting down pesticide application and the accruing costs in production, one farmer succeeded in vending off the pests by growing onions around his greenhouse tomatoes in the last season. Lari Sub-county farmer Nathan Kimeu was implementing an idea he learnt from the Internet that onions’ smell can repel some crop pests like aphids. “I found out that some crops are good biological controls of pests, which attack common commercial foods such as chillies, capsicum, Kales, cabbage, tomatoes, among others. I also leant that greenhouse rotation with non-victim crops like coriander can break the lifecycle of the enemies,” he said. In May 2016, he grew onions in the periphery of his 8m by 30m greenhouse, which had tomatoes as the main crop. Indeed on close scrutiny of the tomatoes on the outermost lanes- those neighbouring the onion soldiers- were free from the aphid attack for the entire season. Aphids are pest that drill into the leaves of crops. They suck the sap with the nutrients, causing severe produce losses due to unhealthy crops.The leaves curl to the because of the heavy infestation from the underside. This condition reduces the surface area for photosynthesis, the food making process in plants.Because of the extraction of the nutrient-rich sap, some leaves turn yellow due to malnourishment, which also reduces photosynthesis resulting from the absence of the green pigment. This negatively affects the overall production.Application of chemicals in the control of the pests is not only expensive as is required interval interventions. But the onions are a one-time cost that defends the crop until the end of the season and still be sold alongside the main crop, Kimeu said. “Organic farming is gaining fame as food-related diseases rise. I am starting small and with such positive results, I hope to go organic to meet the small but healthy eating market,” he said. The Kiambu County farmer intends to grow the ‘soldiers’ along the rows of the tomatoes in 2017 to boost the defense while reducing the cost of production. Although he cannot quantify the money saved from the biological control of the pests, the farmer says his main pesticides application was specific on other pest such as white flies and mites.source

Farmers use tractor smoke as fertilizer.

Arusha farmers are teaching their Kenyan counterparts a revolutionary technology that helps turn harmful farming machinery smoke into soil fertilizer having introduced to them last year and recorded increased yields of upto 15 percent as the novel idea hopes to assist farmers markedly cut carbon emissions. The technology dubbed The Bioagtive Emmissions Technology already being used in Canada and parts of America, ensures that instead of letting out exhaust fumes and smokes from tractors and other farm machinery go where they are going to be destructive, the fumes are tapped and channeled into the soil where the fumes become fertilizers. The Bio-Agtive method involves cooling the tractor exhaust emissions then injecting the condensed gas into the air cart or directly into the soil while sowing or cultivating. When seeding with Bio-Agtive Emissions Technology (BAET), the cooled exhaust emissions are directed first into the air cart. It exposes the seed to humidity and oxidized elements from the emissions. While, the chemistry is fairly involved, the results, according to those involved in the project, are plants that create their own nitrate, develop better root systems and have much less reliance on fertilizer. “Soil acidity is also reduced due to the action of carbon dioxide in acidic soils,” said Gary Lewis whose company N/C Quest licenses the Bio-Agtive system. Kenyan farmers on an exchange programme to Arusha witnessed first hand how the Arusha farmers have perfected the art of mechanized agriculture, farming using machines, and how they ensure that any fumes or toxics that may harm the environment are put to good use. “The most interesting thing about this venture apart from using all the aspects of the machines including smoke, is the fact that it reduces farmers' over reliance on fertilizer and that to me is a huge lesson because that is one of the biggest problems,”said Cyrus Kimutai a wheat farmer in Eldoret who was in the exchange programme.source

Spain has first avian flu case in commercial poultry.

Spain has first avian flu case in commercial poultry.Veterinary authorities in Spain have reported to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) the country’s first outbreak of H5N8 highly pathogenic avian influenza in commercial poultry. The first signs of the presence of the virus were an increase in mortality among ducks in one of 10 poultry houses on the farm in Girona in the region of Catalonia. A total of 723 birds died and the remaining 17,077 have been humanely destroyed. Meanwhile, national veterinary agencies have confirmed new outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in commercial poultry in France, Bulgaria, Poland, Germany and Italy. France: 70 new outbreaks confirmed.According to a report from the French agriculture ministryon February 23rd, there have now been 333 confirmed outbreaks of H5N8 HPAI in poultry – an increase of 70 from the previous week. All cases have been in the south-west of the country. The ministry’s latest weekly report to on the avian flu situation to the OIE records 46 new outbreaks starting between February 6 and 13. Almost all of these were on farms, and the majority were in the department of Landes. More than 218,000 birds died or have been humanely destroyed following detection of the virus, but the number of birds has not been officially recorded for many of these outbreaks and so are not included in that figure. source

10 signs of cancer in dogs.

Cancer occurs in both mixed breed and purebred dogs (depending on the cancer, some breeds like Great Danes, Saint Bernard, Boxers, Boston Terriers, and Golden Retrievers are considered at high risk). Canine cancer can happen at any age but most often it occurs in older dogs, which is partially because dogs are living longer due to modern, enhanced nutrition and veterinary care. Cancer is a disease where cells grow out of control, invade surrounding tissue, and can metastasize and just like in humans, cancer can take many forms in dogs. The disease can be localized (in one area) or generalized (spread throughout the body). Cancer is considered multi factorial, which means it has no known single cause but heredity and the environment are thought to be factors. The common signs are 1)Abnormal swellings that persist or continue to grow. 2)Sores that don’t heal. 3)weight loss. 4)Loss of appetite. 5)Bleeding or discharge from any body opening. 6)Offensive odor 7)Difficulty eating or swallowing. 8)Hesitation to exercise or loss of stamina. 9))persistent lameness or stiffness.10)Difficulty breathing, urinating, or defecating. Finding a lump or your dog has any of the other symptoms above, let this be investigated by your family veterinarian. If it’s confirmed your dog has cancer, it’s advised to get a second opinion —

13 Incredible Ways to Use Aspirin.

Aspirin is most commonly used as a painkiller, but it can actually do so much more than just relieve your weekly headaches. Aspirin can help solve some of your daily, pesky problems like razor burn, dandruff, and even acne. Find out all the incredible ways to use this medication to improve your life here Aspirin can prevent cancer, see

Farmer in Burundi discovers an innovative method of storing tomatoes and preventing spoilage.

Farmer in Burundi discovers an innovative method of storing tomatoes and preventing spoilage.Vital Nduwimana hated how many tomatoes he lost every season. 

For years, his tomatoes started rotting just three or four days after harvest. He felt frustrated. Mr. Nduwimana explains: “I was not able to sell all my tomatoes; I lost almost half of my production. Worse still, I would sell at a low price in the market. So in 2015, I thought that maybe I should find a tomato conservation technique.” Mr. Nduwimana grows tomatoes in eastern Burundi, on Kabuyenge hill, five kilometres from the Tanzanian border. 

 In eastern Burundi, tomatoes are abundant during the harvest months of August and September. But growers find it difficult to keep tomatoes for later sale, which leads to a large number of tomatoes rotting. Mr. Nduwimana tried several techniques to solve his problem. 

He tried storing his tomatoes in water, in clay, underground, in cartons, and even in sand. He tried everything that came to his mind—but without success. Then one day, he noticed that the tomatoes he had kept next to his banana trees were not rotten. Then he noticed the ash at the foot of the banana trees.He decided to try keeping his tomatoes in ash and found that this was more effective than any of the other techniques he had tried.

He uses ash from a chimney, and sifts it three or four times to remove large residues, debris, and other foreign materials. Then, he dumps the ash into a paper carton and places the tomatoes in the carton. With this technique, Mr. Nduwimana manages to safely store his tomatoes for many months. He explains: “I keep my tomatoes in the ash for a period of five to six months, so I can sell them in December, January, or February when the price has risen—since tomatoes are rare and become expensive during this period.“ Jean Nivyabandi is an agronomist. 

He says using ash has no negative effect on the tomatoes, which can be consumed safely. He explains, “There is no risk of tomato toxicity after storage in ash.” Nevertheless, the agronomist wants the Institute of Agronomic Sciences of Burundi to conduct tests to scientifically validate Mr. Nduwimana’s technique. 

 Meanwhile, other tomato growers in Cibitoke—the main tomato-producing region of Burundi— have been inspired to try the techniques themselves. Judith Bizmana also grows tomatoes in Cibitoke. She says: “I can normally harvest between 550 and 600 kilograms of tomatoes per season. But … I would lose nearly half of my production. Today, I rub my hands and smile all the time. 

Thanks to Mr. Nduwimana’s technique, I can keep my tomatoes [and] wait for the price to rise in the market, knowing that very few of them will rot.” Meanwhile, the innovative farmer has changed his life. 

Mr. Nduwimana says: “With the income from the sale of tomatoes, I opened a small restaurant and I am a permanent supplier of tomatoes to restaurants in the provincial capital. I supply the whole market, and I have created jobs, too. My whole life has changed.

 In the future, I plan to buy a truck to transport my tomatoes.” Mr. Nduwimana has become an ambitious entrepreneur. In July 2016, he even won an innovation competition organized by an NGO called Agakura. more

The Beauty of Burmese Cats.

Cats are naturally nosey creatures, but this breed takes it to the extreme. If you are considering getting a Burmese cat, you will need to resign yourself to the loss of all privacy, as your new shadow will want to follow you everywhere, helping you with everything from reading a book to making the dinner. They also love to sneak under the duvet. This curious nature necessitates caution, however, as Burmese cats have been known to sneak into an open window of a van or car and find themselves transported far from home! The name belies the breed’s origins. When the Burmese army invaded Thailand in the 18th century, it is thought that a Thai temple cat was whisked off back to Burma. In the 20th century, retiring naval officer and practicing psychiatrist, Dr Joseph Thompson imported an ancestor of this cat from Burma to the US, so the breed was named after Burma even though they didn’t originate there. The original Thai name for this breed of cat means “beautiful, fortunate and of splendid appearance” – very fitting we think! Their propensity for exploring, coupled with the fact that they have zero survival skills, prompts most owners to keep them as indoor cats. If you want to know more about this breed, we found some great facts on Burmese Cat Club and Cat Time. These little critters are very active and playful, and Burmese owners will be familiar with the “mad half hour” – a period in the day where their little furry friend can be found tearing madly around the house; flitting up and down the stairs, running a slalom around chair and table legs and flipping somersaults. It’s normally at the time of day where you’d appreciate a period of calm – when you first get up, or when you’re off to bed. source