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Description
The Authors Note
Grasses and insects are important in agro-biodiversity, as beneficial (crops and enemies of pests) and as noxious species (weeds and crop pests) that nevertheless may act as reservoirs of beneficial species. The regional project “Conservation of Gramineae and Associated Arthropods for Sustainable Agricultural Development in Africa” is being implemented to meet the urgent need to understand the relationships between certain grasses and insects important for sustainable agriculture and pest management. The project is coordinated by the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) in collaboration with the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI), with co-financing from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implementation support from the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP). The project is being implemented in three African countries Ethiopia, Kenya and Mali. The project’s main goal is to: (1) document diversity of grasses and associated stemborers and their natural enemies in selected agro-ecosystems and socio-economic surroundings, (2) understand the relationships between certain grasses and insects, and (3) develop and promote the practical application of the knowledge in self-regulatory pest management and sustainable agriculture.
The purpose of this handbook is to help farmers, frontline extension staff and students to (1) identify the common grasses, (2) create awareness about indigenous and novel uses of some grass species, and (3) provide knowledge about the associated stemborers and their natural enemies.
The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support from GEF/UNEP, the logistical support and facilities provided by ICIPE, the technical and logistical support given by the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI), Ministries of Agriculture, Livestock Development and Environment and Natural Resources. Grass illustrations from Dr Kamal M. Ibrahim are gratefully acknowledged. We also thank the farmers of Busia, Machakos and Suba districts for providing part of the information used in this booklet. Last but not least, we acknowledge the effort ICIPE-GEF grass technical staff for collecting most of the information used in this handbook.
Publication Date
2004
Recommended Citation
Muyekho, E. N., A.J. Barrion, A. J., & Khan, Z. R. (2004). A Primer on Grass Identification and Their Uses in Kenya. Retrieved from https://thehive.icipe.org/manuals/13