A FIELD ATTACHMENT REPORT CONDUCTED AT KALRO KITALE FROM 22ND

MAY TO 11 AUGUST 2023

NAME: RUTH LINETTE ABRAHAM

REG NO: DGA/17454/22

COURSE: DIPLOMA IN GENERAL AGRICULTURE

A REPORT SUBMITTED TO THE FIELD ATTACHMENT COORDINATING UNIT IN

PARTIAL FULFILLMENT FOR THE AWARD OF DIPLOMA IN GENERAL

AGRICULTURE OF SANG’ALO INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Declaration
I declare that this attachment report is my original work and has not been presented elsewhere for
the ward of any diploma in general agriculture.

Name: RUTH LINETTE ABRAHAM

Date: …………………………………………….

Sign: ………………………………………………

Supervisor

Name: ……………………………………………..

Date: …………………………………………………….

Sign: …………………………………………………….
Abstract
Industrial attachment is good as it unable trainee to be exposed to the field work on different
areas in the farm and also gain knowledge and skills required during such operation. During
attachment period the trainee goes through the following section maize breeding section for a
period of 3weeks horticulture for 2week, livestock section for 2weeks, crop protection for 3days.
The trainee also gain skills in farm machinery. The trainee also experienced lie lack of adequate
trainings, long distances to the farm, and heavy rains lack of enough working tools.
Acknowledgement
First and foremost I would like to thank the almighty god for sustaining my life of this particular
time.

Secondly, I extent my gratitude to MADAM MALICE CHEMTAI for supervisor my work

during the attachment period.

Thirdly I would like to acknowledgement my fellow students for their cooperation and team
work during the attachment period.

Lastly, I would like to thank my college accessor MR FRANK AMUASA for his tireless effect
to see that this report has been written and arranged as per the requirement.
Declaration
I hereby dedicate this report to my parents for their support both financial and encouragement
and ensuring that this work has come out successfully. I accode all respect to them and the
almighty God may bless the work of their hands.
CHAPTER ONE
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE FIELD ATTACHMENT
The field attachment is a session where trainee go out to the field to get exposed and familiarize
themselves with the working environment. It is the time when trainee acquire skills and to have
understanding of the environment either economic, political or social influences on management and
work performance as they put the theatrical knowledge into practices.

1.2 OBJECTIVE OF THE FIELD ATTACHMENT PROGRAM

1. To boost the trainee competency in their respective areas of specialization thereby shortening the
on the job training requirements in their future respective environment.
2. To provide the trainee with an opportunity to market their skills; professionals and the college.
3. To provide opportunities for trainees’ to put into practice skills relevant into real life.
4. To instill in trainees the right kind if work attitudes collaborative and interpersonal skills as well as
professional skills.
Chapter two
2.0 profile of organization
KALRO food crops research institution was created under the Kenya agricultural and livestock act of
2013. The institute’s main focus is to generate validate and release technologies on food crops to clients
it focuses on cereals and root security. The institute has seven centers which conducts research on basic
strategies applied and adaptive research using the value chain approach from production, market and
use. The institute is in Trans-Nzoia County that is known for its role in food. Production and particular
maize.

The county is largely agricultural with large scale and small scale maize, horticulture and dairy farmers.

2.1 GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION

KALRO food crop research institute headquarter is located in Kitale (1degree celicious 35degree
7minutes east) in Tran-Nzoia county. 70km from Eldoret town 3 km from Kitale town towards Kitale
webuye road it can also be accessed through Kitale Kisawail road, Kitale is an agricultural town situated
between MT Elgon and Cheragani hills at an elevation of 1900m above sea level.

2.2 CORE BUSINESS OF KALRO KITALE

1. Promote streamline, coordinate and regulates research in shops, livestock and genetic resources
2. Promote, streamline coordinate and regulate research in crops and animals diseases
3. Expedite equitable access to research information, resources and technology and promote the
application of research findings and technology in the field of agriculture.

2.3 MISSION OF KALRO

To conduct agricultural research through the application of science, technology and innovation to
catalyst sustainable growth and development in agriculture and livestock products.

2.4 VISION OF KALRO

Excellence in agricultural and livestock research towards transformed livelihood

2.5 ACHIEVEMENTS OF KALRO

1. I characterization and improvement of range grass ecotypes and pasture technology over 50 type
2. Improve of productivity of land by integrating grass in tree-crop system
3. Partnerships and collaboration with different stake holders such as AMMTY
4. Up scaling and out- scaling of range pastures technology
5. Patenting and commercialization of Chumvi Kuria of camels in northern Kenya.

2.6 CHALLENGES OF KALRO

1. Disease and pest

There is a huge problem with pest and disease that only applies to the pre harvesting moments.

2. Climate changes

Climate change occurring now on planet earth is no new for any of us

3. The use of outdated technology

It has been a challenge for the user to adapt to new technology.

2.7 ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE

 CHAPTER THREE
3.0 DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
3.1 MAIZE BREEDING
Maize breeding is the process of coming out with superior maize variety that are resistant to pest,
diseases and drought.

Maize breeding is one of the most important activity done at KALRO Kitale. The activity was done at the
lifespan of 3 weeks.

The following are activities carried out in maize breeding.

3.1.1 Steps in maize breeding

1) Germplasm collection of the desired quality
2) Developing of inbreed lines
3) Multiplication of inbreed lines
4) Selection of the superior seeds
5) Crossing
6) Evaluation and release as seeds
3.1.2 Identification of various weeds
This was done at the treatment plots of the institution using quadrant method of weed identification.

Here the quadrant equipment was thrown on random manner in the plots and pegging was done to
identify each quadrant which still be used for subsequent trials. This entities done on plots where test
for pre-emergency and post emergence herbicide was used to know effectiveness.

3.1.3 Topdressing
Topdressing was done when the maize plant height was 45cm tall or knee high. The method used in top
dressing was placement method. Fertilize used was CAN.

3.1.4 Stand count

Stand count refers to counting of the individual plants to establish population. Stand count was done in
PYT and AYT.

3.1.5 Tagging and labeling of plots

Tagging was done to:

i. How to blocks run

ii. To know the entry number of each plot and replication
iii. Done to help during scoring
3.2 HORTICULTURE SECTION
3.2.1 Preparation of nursery beds
IMPORTANCE OF NURSERY BEDS

i. Many seedlings can be produced in small area

ii. Facilitate routine management practices
iii. Provide best condition for the growth of seedlings
 iv. Small seeds and delicate seedling can be produced in the nursery bed
3.2.2 Establishment of cabbage seedling in the seed trays
PROCEDURE

i. Gather what you need

ii. Prepare your compost
iii. Fill the seed tray with a well decomposed
iv. Place the seeds on the compost
v. Cover the seeds well with a compost
vi. Label your plants
vii. Give them water
3.2.2 Planting cabbage
Spacing 60 × 50 0r 60 × 60 depending with the variety

Variety planted was Gloria F1

3.3 LIVESTOCK SECTION

3.3.1 Hand milking
STEPS IN HAND MILKING

i. First wash and disinfect your hands regularly during milking to avoid contamination
ii. Provide a clean, low stress environment for the animal
iii. Complete milking should take 4 to 6 minutes per cow
iv. Milking place should be quite
3.3.2 Calf feed
Provide the calves with high quality milk within the first week of life

IMPORTANCE OF COLOSTRUM TO CALF

i. Provide calf with passive immunity

ii. Support growth and development of the calf
iii. Colostrum is more palatable to calf

3.3.3 Dipping
Plunge dip: plunge dip tank are preferred method of parasite control in large member of cattle
especially beef farming.

PARTS OF PLUNGE DIP

i. Animal holding yard: used to hold animals before dipping

ii. Foot path: to wash the foot of animal before dipping
iii. Dip tank: contains a carricide solution to control ticks
iv. Drying yard: animals are held before release to pastures
v. Silt trap: holding the soil particle
vi. Jump: animal jumps during dipping
vii. Waste pit: hold manure collected
viii. Water tank: storage of water used to dilute carricide.
3.4 PASTURE SECTION
Different pastures grows at KALRO FCR farm incudes Brach aria, luccera, desmodium, boma Rhodes,
Nandi seteria, mullato, sebania.

The grasses were used in hay making.

PROCEDURE FOR HAY MAKING

The grass (Boma Rhodes cut with a panga or mower when it is 4- 5 months during piping stage to ensure
no nutrient used during flowering. After the grass is dry is bailed using a hay bailer and then stored in a
cool dry place).

3.5 NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Natural resource management is the management of natural resources such as land, water soil and
animal for the future generation.

3.5.1 Pit making

PROCEDURE

i. Clear the field

ii. Measure 60 by 60 length
iii. Digest the top soil 30cm deep and put apart
iv. Dig again 30cm of the sub soil
v. Mix the top soil with one debe of a well decomposed manure
3.5.2 Raised nursery bed
Is form of gardening where the soil is raised above the ground level. It is used in water logging areas.

BENEFITS OF A RAISED NURSERY BED

i. Reduce the used poor native soil

ii. Reduce weeds
iii. They conserve soil moisture
iv. Reduce water logging
v. Facilitated root penetration
3.6 FARM STRUCTURE
Farm structures found at KALRO Kitale includes crushes cattle, dip, grazing units, feeding troughs.

The structures have their functions e.g. calf pen for housing calves

KALRO FCR farm maintains cleaning of the feeding and water through every 2 days which is important to
the health of the animal.

3.7 FARM POWER AND MACHINERY

Farm power and machinery found KALRO Kitale are disc plough, chisel plough, sub soilers, secondary
tillage implements, and tertiary tillage implements.

3.7.1 Choice or farm power

i. The choice of farm power depends on the following criteria
ii. Scale of operation – the size of the farm will determine the choice of farm power used
iii. Timeless of the operation – some operation require great timing and must be finished within a
specified time limit
iv. Financial requirement – power source require financial investments some are very cheap and
others are very expensive
v. Technical knowhow – power source requires skills
vi. Availability – the presence or absence is the first choice in choosing source of power.
CHAPTER FOUR
SWOT ANALYSIS

4.1 STRENGTH
i. Computer literacy
ii. Ability in leadership and role model
iii. Team work and capability building
iv. Partnership and networking
4.2 WEAKNESS
i. Poor and outdated techniques used in production
ii. Embezzlement of public funds
iii. Poor linkages among the trainer and trainee
iv. Financial constraints
4.3 OPPORTUNITIES
Opportunities in natural resource management learnt in how to control and preserve natural resources

Opportunity in leadership learnt to give direction to other trainees

Opportunity in strengthening confidence and net working through interaction with others
CHAPTER FIVE
5.0 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
5.1 CONCLUSION
I n conclusion the industrial attachment was very successful at KALRO FCR. It met most of the objective
of the program. It enables the trainee to learn more practices skills that relates to what she learnt in the
college. The trainee gained skills and knowledge that transformed to daily farming activities.

5.2 RECOMMENDATION
The recommendation of KALRO FCR are:

i. The field attachment should be more than 3 months so that the trainee gain more practice skills
ii. The institution to provide accommodation to the trainee
iii. The institute to provide adequate tool to the trainee to easen work
iv. The institute to provide protective clothing to the trainee while spraying
v. Working plan should be provided earlier to the trainee.
 REFERENCES
LOG BOOK

KALRO WEBSITES www.kalro.org