CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND HISTORY OF ATC

He Kisii Agricultural Training Centre (Kisii ATC) was established in early 60's
before Kenya's Independence. Its main purpose was for training farmers on
better agricultural and dairy farming practices. Kisii A.T.C. is among the thirty
four Training Centre's spread all over the republic of Keny

1.2 Geographical location

Kisii County is characterized by a hilly topography with several ridges and valleys. It is divided
into three main topographical zones. First zone covers areas lying below 1500 M above the sea
level located on the western boundary that includes parts of Suneka, Marani and Nyamarambe.
Second zone covers areas lying between 1500-1800 M above the sea level. It covers parts of
Keumbu and Sameta divisions, Eastern Marani and Gucha River basin. Third zone covers areas
lying above 1800 M above the sea level in parts of Eastern and Southern Keumbu, Masaba and
Mosocho

1.3 Ecological requirements

70% of the county has red volcanic soils which are deep in organic matter. The rest of the county
has clay soils which have poor drainage, red loams and sandy soils. In the valley bottoms, there
exist black cotton soils and organic peat soils. The growth of cash crops such as tea, coffee,
pyrethrum and subsistence crops such as maize, beans and potatoes are supported by red
volcanic soils. The county has been divided into three ecological zones comprising of upper mid
land 75% lower highland 20% and lower midland 5% about 78% of the county is arable of which
57% is under crop

1.4 Climatic condition

Exhibits a highland equatorial climate resulting into a bimodal rainfall pattern with average
annual rainfall of 1500 M per annum with temperatures ranging between 21oC -30oC while
minimum temperatures range between 15oC -20Oc

1.5 Core business

Development, implementation and co-ordination of programs in agriculture sector

Regulating and quality control of inputs, produce and products from agriculture sector

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Pest and disease control in crops

Promote management and conservation of the natural resources base of agriculture.

Collecting, maintaining and managing information of agriculture sector.

Provision of Agricultural extension services

Supporting agricultural research and promote technology delivery

Formulation, implementation and monitoring of agriculture legislation, regulations and policies

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1.6 Challenges
In adequate sourcing of certified seeds.

Limited use of base and top dressing fertilizers.

High cost inputs especially pesticides and fungicides

Lack of organized marketing groups at the farm level

Difficulty in accessing affordable credit.

1.7 MISSION, VISION AND CORE VALUES

1.7.1 MISSION
To contribute to increased productivity, commercialization and competitiveness of the
agricultural sector through generation and promotion of knowledge, information and
technologies that respond to client’s demands and opportunities.

1.7.2 VISION
A vibrant commercially-oriented competitive agricultural sector propelled by science,
technology and innovation

1.7.3 CORE-VALUES
ATC embraces the following in pursuing its mission;

• Integrated and holistic approach

• Impact, performance and service orientation

• Scientific excellence, creativity and flexibility

• Partnership for collaborative advantage and synergies.

• Effective knowledge and information management.

• Respect for staff and diverse client’s transparency, accountability and cost-effectiveness.

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1.8 FUNCTIONS OF THE HOST ORGANIZATION
• To provide opportunities for trainees to put into practice skills learnt into real life
work environment

• To instill in trainees, the right kind of work attitudes collaborative and interpersonal
skills, as well as professional skills through interactions with others in a work
environment

• To boost trainees’ competency in their respective areas of specialization, thereby

shortening the on job training requirements in their future respective working
environments.

• To provide the trainees with an opportunity to market their skills, professionals and
the college

• To forge and support a closer relationship between the industry and the college

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 1.9 ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OF THE HOST INSTITUTION

Centre director
Center
Administration

Center
accountant
Center planning and
deputy Centre director monitoring officer
Supplies
office

Adaptive Social- Horticulture Food and crop Agricultural

Natural Biotechnology Livestock
and industries health research
Research Economic and crop resource and genetic research
programme investment
and applied programme management research programme
service
outreach statistics programme programme
programme Commercializ
partnership ation
committee

Adaptive
research
Entomol
Outreach
ogy
and Cereal patholo Crop and Animal
partnership crops gy Farm livestock product
Research
weeds manage biotechnolog on animal
extension
science ment y and health.
linkageKALR
biodiversity
O SEED
Oil crops ex-sit
UNIT. Roots conversation
legumes and of plant
tuber Land
genetic
crops use
Social – resources
planning
economic and Vegetables KARI seed
, soil
policy fruits flowers unit,.
and
botanicalanan
water
Applied statistics d medicinal
manage
and aromatic
Information and ment,int
ergrated
documentation.

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1.10 DUTIES OF THE CENTER DIRECTOR
• Supervise the activities of subordinates

• Serves as the liaison with the center external publics, particularly in relation to their
advisory and financial support of the center

• oversees daily center operations and coordinates the center activities through assigned
staff; prioritize and delegates work activities

• writes communication and promotional literature for distribution such as newsletter,

brochures or flyers and coordinates printing and distribution

• prepares and monitors budget for the center and research, executive or student education
projects

• prepares budget proposals and recommendations and establishes budget control system
for controlling expenditures

• directs, monitors and participates in research activities including data collection ,

evaluation and analysis for a research project

• reviews applications or other center documents to determine acceptance or make

decisions pertaining to the center

• represents center in public relations capacity matters relating to the center’s research and
projects

DUTIES OF THE FARM MANAGER

• Plan finance and production to maintains farm progress against budget parameters

• Undertake practical activities, such as driving tractors, operating machinery, feeding

livestock or spraying fields

• Market the farm products

• Buy supplies, such as fertilizer and seeds

• Arrange the maintenance and repair of farm buildings, machinery and equipment

• Plan activities for trainee staff, mentoring and monitoring them

• Maintain and monitor the quality of yield, whether livestock or crops

• Understand the implications of the weather and make contingency plans

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 • Make sure products are ready for deadlines, such as auctions and markets

• Ensure that farm activities comply with government regulations

• Monitor animal health and welfare, including liaising with vets

DEPARTMENTAL ORGANIZATION

CENTRE DIRECTOR

DEPUTY DIRECTOR

FARM MANAGER

ASSISTANT FARM
MANAGER

DRIVERS/ CLEANERS/SUPPORT CASUALS

ARTISANS/PLANT STAFF
OPERATORS

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CHAPTER TWO
2.0 HOST ATTACHMENT DEPARTMENT

2.1 DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

During the course of my industrial attachment I was working under Mr Justus monari. I was
taken through various sections with the help of my supervisor to perform my daily task through
his instruction I was able to gain some experience through them.

The following are activities I was involved during attachment period at ATC-Kisii

2.1.1LIVESTOCK DEPARTMENT
Then we went on viewing the challenges facing dairy farmers in Kenya. This was later followed
by a brief history of livestock keeping in the institution. I was also taken through the various
livestock feeding structures e.g. water trough feeding trough milking parlour and how a chaff
cutter operates and I managed to do some chopping of fodder crops i.e. nappier grass with the
chaff cutter. I concluded the two weeks with viewing of how information is being filled in calf
recording area. In the institution the calves are fed by bucket feeding.

This week was a continuation of livestock of production and generally we began with control of
ticks in ATC KISII they control ticks by spray race and use of a knapsack sprayer. I was also
taught how to prepare various concentration of acaricide used to spray the livestock every
Thursday morning. Spraying also helps to control ticks that may cause east coast fever and other
tick borne disease of livestock that is a major challenge to livestock production in ATC KISII.

I was also privileged to see signs of parturition in a cow. Which was later followed by the
process of parturition in a cow this helped me to know the signs of a cow that is almost
parturition.

We later moved to the hay field where we assembled hay awaiting baling for storage.

Routine management practices

• Identification
This is mainly done few days after birth of a calf and the method mainly used is ear tagging and
numbers are given according to the day of birth

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 • Dehorning
This is done once the calves have started growing horns at an early stage this is done by a hot
iron or disbudding iron to remove the horny pads.

• Deworming
This is done regularly after every 3 months and the main aim is to control internal parasites
that cause emaciation in livestock and also reduce production.
Spraying

This is done on a weekly basis to control ticks that are said to be cause of certain disease e.g.

East coast fever

Anaplasmoliasis

Babesiosis

Feeding of livestock

Livestock are mainly fed through paddock feeding and also zero grazing in times of plenty feed.

Animals are also supplemented by hay incase of starvation during dry spell.

2.1.2 HORTICULTURE DEPARTMENT

This week was based on the banana farm where I was taken through the process of preparing
land for planting of bananas. Bananas plots are normally planted in a spacing of 3M by 3M this
spacing is limited due to unavailability of land. The hole dimensions are 2ft by 2ft by 2ft. on
planting we use different kind of suckers e.g.

• sword sucker
• maiden sucker
• corm sucker
• water sucker
• tissue culture material
The trainee was also taken through the various varieties of bananas in the farm e.g.

• Cooking
• Roasting
• Ripening

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Under the following categories of banana there are various varieties that ATC KISII has planted
within its farm

Cooking

 Full ng’ombe
 Nusu ng’ombe
 Poyo
 Paz
Ripening
 Chinese Cavendish
 Dwarf Cavendish
 Apple
 Muraru
 Peliphita
Roasting
 Valery
 Gross Michael
 FHIA 17
 William variety
Harvesting

Bananas are normally harvested on Thursday when they have attained maturity. Banana
harvesting is carried by two people who will be harvesting the banana to avoid injury to the
bananas in case of poor harvesting. Once bananas are harvested they are weighed then stored in a
cold room to maintain their quality.

Marketing

Bananas are sold direct to any willing buyer and their price depends on weight in that for
cooking is 15 shillings per kilogram and for ripening and roasting is 25 shillings per kilogram.

2.1.3 ROOT AND TUBER DEPARTMENT

Root crops include beetroots and carrots and tuber crops include potatoes and they are edible
energy giving foods. Root crops are defined as edible energy rich underground crops developed
from modified roots while tuber crops are edible energy rich underground crops developed from
modified stems. The institution focuses on two main root and tuber crops namely sweet potato
and cassava which occupy about 16acres.There are different type of sweet potatoes with different
morphological characteristics. They include Carolina unch, excel, Evangeline and Many
more .Sweet potatoes are important for food security. Factors affecting the growth of sweet
potatoes include light, oxygen and nitrogen. Minimal heat is required for rapid growth of sweet
potatoes .There are two varieties of sweet potatoes;

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 • White potato
• Yellow/orange potato
There are three ways of planting sweet potatoes i.e.

• Nursery,
• Rapid multiplication of Sweet potato vines,
• through making ridges
• Through ploughing of flat land and planting directly.
Ridges are encouraged cause of large expansion and the spacing of ridges is 1m by 30cm.There
are mostly grown during the onset of rains.

Harvesting of sweet potato in ATC is done using a ridger.

Pest and disease

Pest and diseases affect the production of sweet potatoes. Diseases such as Sweet potato Virus,
Sunken vein virus, which can be diagnosed through yellowish leaves, should be controlled.
Cassavas are of two types; Sweet and bitter. The bitter are poisonous and differentiated from
sweet y their morphological features such as turning lack when peeled and also high moisture
content compared to sweet cassavas. Diseases affecting cassava include mosaic virus and
cassava acterial disease which are characterized by stem swelling .Pests such as mealy bug,
spider mite should e controlled so as to attain high quality yields of cassava.

2.1.4 FARM MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT

Farm management involves making and implementing of the decisions involved in organizing
and operating a farm. Farm management relies on agricultural economics for information on
prices, markets, agricultural policy, and economic institutions such as leasing and credit. We
learnt about the structure of the organization starting from the centre director down to the casuals
according to the chain of command. We were also taught about record keeping which is
important for any institution so as to keep up to date with what is happening such as livestock
population, milk record and production and ledgers in general.

The attachée was taught on the responsibilities of a farm manager which include;

• Allocating duties to casuals

• Keeping the master role
• Setting the annual work plan
• Ensuring occupational safety
• Making time for table staff annual leave
• Attending to internal and external customers

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 The attachée went through farm machinery where we focused on the tractor and its parts which
include gear box, tool shaft, hydraulics, carburetor, alternator and clutch. In addition to that, we
went further to learn the type of machines which are connected to the tractor e.g. ridger used for
making ridges, mould plough for secondary cultivation and side mower.

The maintenance practices for the farm machines include keeping them clean, replacing worn
out parts and also repairing worn out parts.

We learnt about the signs and symptoms of diseases in beans e.g. White mould caused by
fungus sclerotiniasclerotiorum and develops as a white watery growth on the stem. Bean rust,
bacterial blight among others.

The attachée also learnt about diseases affecting banana such as panama wilt, banana streak
disease, Infectiouschlorosis, curly top among others and also their control. The attachée made
presentations in the conference room where we learnt about pest and diseases and their control.

2.1.5 PATHOLOGY DEPARTMENT

In pathology laboratory there were enough equipments for tests conducted in the laboratory.
Some of the test conducted included bacteria and parasite culture and identification, antimicrobio
sensitivity tests, fungal isolation and 5 days salmonella testing.

2.1.6 SOIL LAB DEPARTMENT

This was the last week, basically orientation as well as activities in the soil lab towards the end
of the week. Main activities included soil sampling where we went to the field and tried out
sampling in different grounds and the equipments to use in the various grounds as well as places
to carry out sampling and places not to. We also did about soil conservation measures, plant
preparation, plant breeding and development of hybrids. The supervisor also took as through the
importance of plant breeding, sample preparation and ways of enhancing water holding capacity.
The attachée planted groundnuts and peas as well as planted grass strips and contours to control
soil erosion.

The time spent by the attachée in soil lab was quite a lot and this has to do with the fact that soil
is an important component that greatly contributes to crop growth. The following activities were
done:

1. Soil sampling

2. Testing soil Ph

3. Soil grading

4. Soil pretreatment

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These activities are carried in the lab in a series so as to test for a variety of compounds for
instance testing the soil ph, soil carbon content, grading of soil, labeling of soil.

The institutions do get soil samples from farmers and help them analyze the components of soil
and advice them on the best kind of crops that suits the place with the kind of soil.

The main method we used in collection of soil samples is traverse method.

The machines used include

• Frame photometer

• Atomic absorption spectroscopy

• PH meter

• Calorimeter

• Ovens

2.2 OBJECTIVES AND SKILLS GAINED DURING THE EXERCISE

During my training period at Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Organization, the attachée
gained a lot of skills and knowledge in the department of agricultural related activities. The new
knowledge and skilled acquired are as follows:

• Acquired skills of working as a team and how important it is to enhance skills by sharing
ideas with workmates
• Learnt how to communicate in the office and also how to address clients who want
assistance
• Feeding programme of livestock
• Learnt the various varieties of bananas
• Learnt how people avoid responsibilities
• Learnt how to operate a hay bailer
• Learnt how to determine maturity status of bananas.
• Learnt how individuals like to work under supervision
• Data collection from the finger millet farm based on different variables for example ear
exertion, finger millet color, finger millet height etc.

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CHAPTER THREE
3.0 EVALUATTION OF THE ATTACHMENT PERIOD
During the process of achieving my field attachment objectives, there were several strengths,
weakenesses,opportunities and threats for both short term and long term objectives of the field
attachment program where personal initiatives were used to contribute positively where
necessary.

3.1.0 SWOT ANALYSIS

This include strengths ,weaknesses opportunities threats

3.1 .1 STRENGTHS.
Able to perform different tasks like making the compost manure and arranging the layers in the
right order.

Potential employer who were readily available to assist whenever they were needed.

Coping up with life and social skills for gaining confidence in practical.

Relationship with various working centers and understanding the environmental and personal
attributes to the future.

Understanding much better of what entails trainees area of specialization.

3.1.2 WEAKNESSES.
Language barrier how to explain some diseases and pests in the local language.

Getting the place of attachment, it was very competitive moving from one office to another.

The center had lack of adequate staffs to take students through various activities during
attachment hence learning students were unsecured.

The field attachment did not offer the funds for the stay of students and transport means hence it
seemed to be in efficient and insecure.

Lack of proper orientation in the field attachment hence much confusion to the student.

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3.1.3 OPPORTUNITIES.
During the period of field attachment different opportunities were attained like how to interact
and share with the management staff where by more knowledge about ATC as its day to day
operations, challenges and achievements.

A chance was given to take part in various activities that were undertaken by the staff thereby
getting more exposure to the ministry as well as helping other stakeholders of the ministry.

Also a chance was given to take a tour of the organization and hence understanding the
operations of other departments such as horticulture, livestock and cooperatives.

Different skills in job market were learnt that were desirable in the weren’t job market and what
the employers are expecting from graduates during job search.

Privileged to interact with the center researchers and share their rich experience in research with
me such as breeding of finger millet to provide best variety for farmers and techniques for
raising tissue culture bananas.

3.1.4 THREATS
The weather was not conducive because there was a dry spell hence not good for demonstration
on crops during the training.

During the field attachment accidents are likely to occur .this can lead to loss of lives or
physically informalities to an attaché.

Depending on the area attached insecurity has become a problem in Kenya hence chances of
attack to new areas are likely to occur.

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3.2 CHALLENGES EXPERIENCED
There are also some challenges I have faced as an attaché’ at ATC. This are some the challenges
I have experienced in my attachment period:

• Limited number of stationery such as computers and which forced us to come with our
laptops to use during the attachment period.
• The staffs were frequently out for field activities hence there was limited time for
interaction with the staff.
• Limited involvement into field activities due to financial issues.
• Lack of sufficient data collection activities.
• Inadequate data collection equipment for examples the rulers.

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 3.3.0 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

3.3.1 CONCLUSION
During the two months of industrial attachment at the Kenya Agriculture and Livestock Research
Organization necessary experience and skills were acquired which will help in entrepreneurial
world. The whole training period was very important, instructive and instrumental.

A more comprehensive understanding of real field working condition was gained which was
very interesting and instructive. The two months’ placement gave out an opportunity to improve
functional skills and interpersonal skills with the members of entire organization.

All the valuable experience and knowledge that was gained was not only acquired through the
direct involvement in task given but also through other aspect of the training such as work
observation, interaction with colleagues, supervisors and other external stakeholders.

The organization too is committed to provide appropriate skills to the students under training.
This enables the students to have appropriate skills and industrial training program hence
achieving their entire attachment primary objectives. It is also the best way to prepare students in
facing the real job market.

3.3.2 RECOMMENDATION
I would like to recommend that the duration for attachment period be increased from two months
to four months to enable trainees to capture practical skills.

The university and other organization where students are attached should have a common bond
so as to give the students a great opportunity in future.

The university should ensure that during field attachment students handle duties and
responsibilities concerning their area of specialization so as to prevent cases of inadequacy in
future.

The university together with the respective institution where students are attached should ensure
that every student is provided with appropriate insurance cover so as to prevent long term effects
in case of accidents while on industrial attachment.

The ratio of technical staff to farmers is quite demanding. Therefore, there should be plans aimed
at employing more staff in order to ensure efficiency and effectiveness in agricultural production.

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REFERENCES
• ATC profile

• Ministry of agriculture manual

• County extension officers and department heads

• The organic farming magazine

• ATC brochures

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
DEDICATION…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..i

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………ii

DECLARATION………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..iii

ABSTRACT………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………iv

CHAPTER ONE.........................................................................................................................................1
1.0 INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................................................1
1.1 BACKGROUND HISTORY OF ATC.......................................................................................................1
1.2 Geographical location........................................................................................................................1
1.3 Ecological requirements....................................................................................................................1
1.4 Climatic condition..............................................................................................................................1
1.5 Core business.....................................................................................................................................1
1.6 Challenges.........................................................................................................................................3
1.7 MISSION, VISION AND CORE VALUES.................................................................................................3
1.7.1 MISSION..........................................................................................................................................3
1.7.2 VISION.............................................................................................................................................3
1.7.3 CORE-VALUES.................................................................................................................................3
1.8 FUNCTIONS OF THE HOST ORGANIZATION........................................................................................4
1.9 ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OF THE HOST INSTITUTION..............................................................5
1.10 DUTIES OF THE CENTER DIRECTOR..................................................................................................6
DUTIES OF THE FARM MANAGER............................................................................................................6
DEPARTMENTAL ORGANIZATION............................................................................................................7
CHAPTER TWO............................................................................................................................................8
2.0 HOST ATTACHMENT DEPARTMENT...................................................................................................8
2.1 DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES..........................................................................................................8
2.1.1LIVESTOCK DEPARTMENT................................................................................................................8
2.1.2 HORTICULTURE DEPARTMENT........................................................................................................9
2.1.3 ROOT AND TUBER DEPARTMENT..................................................................................................10
2.1.4 FARM MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT...........................................................................................11
2.1.5 PATHOLOGY DEPARTMENT...........................................................................................................12
2.1.6 SOIL LAB DEPARTMENT................................................................................................................12

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 2.2 OBJECTIVES AND SKILLS GAINED DURING THE EXERCISE...............................................................13
CHAPTER THREE........................................................................................................................................14
3.0 EVALUATTION OF THE ATTACHMENT PERIOD.................................................................................14
3.1.0 SWOT ANALYSIS............................................................................................................................14
3.1 .1 STRENGTHS..................................................................................................................................14
3.1.2 WEAKNESSES................................................................................................................................14
3.1.3 OPPORTUNITIES............................................................................................................................15
3.1.4 THREATS.......................................................................................................................................15
3.2 CHALLENGES EXPERIENCED.............................................................................................................16
3.3.0 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION.......................................................................................17
3.3.1 CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................17
3.3.2 RECOMMENDATION.....................................................................................................................17
REFERENCES..........................................................................................................................................18

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