African Climate Change Leadership Program

Emerging African Innovation Leaders held the selection of the AIL business idea challenge, Next Production Revolution, Kenya Chapter on 14th June 2019.
I gave it my best shot but unfortunately did not make the winners prize. My only consolation is I gave it my 100%. Travelled overnight from Kitale, haircut, freshened up at the YMCA, had a quick change of clothes, produced business cards, tweaked my presentation, and made it to the venue at the UoN towers. My ppt was well recieved. Thank you Jesus!!

International Spring University Bilbao, Spain
by James Wafula

From 19th to 25th May 2019 I attended a workshop at the International Spring University (ISU) in Bilbao, Spain. The workshop was designed to introduce the participants to:
• ARIES, k.explorer and k.Lab
• The ARIES environment and available models
• The technical principles ARIES is based on
• The results and knowledge ARIES can provide
• How ARIES addresses the current practice and decision-making
• Examples of ARIES applications
• How I can use ARIES to solve my current (research) questions in the River Nzoia Basin.

I am currently carrying out a research in Kitale located Western Kenya. My research area covers 2 wards in Trans Nzoia County which is part of the larger River Nzoia Basin stretching from the slopes of Mt. Elgon to the shores of Lake Victoria, an area of approximately 12,000 km2. As a Climate Innovation fellow with AfriClp, I am involved in the production and promotion of improved organic fertilizers from livestock manure, domestic wastes and selected leguminous plant species. The ultimate goal of my project is to reduce the consumption and need for chemical fertilizers which are recognized as one of the causes of extensive nutrient loading of the river and lake basin in addition to contributing towards ground water contamination.

The ecosystem services I am primarily interested in are:
1. Water quality regulation.
2. Sedimentation.

ARIES stands for Artificial Intelligence for Ecosystem Services and it is the flagship tool that uses the modelling environment k.Lab (which stands for knowledge laboratory). It makes use of multiple modeling techniques from multiple scientific fields such as spatial mapping, hydrology, plant physiology, and soil sciences to name but a few. By making use of artificial intelligence applied to semantic modelling, machine reasoning, and machine learning, ARIES is able to connect the data and models from multiple sources to provide a spatially explicit ecosystem services output model which can be mapped out. Ecosystem services output models may involve natural capital models (such as arable land, carbon dioxide absorption, erosion control, minerals, water, and waste assimilation), natural processes (such as sediment transport, nutrient cycles, and floods) and demand models on the human beneficiaries’side (farmers and special interest groups). These models may provide the knowledge base to further value and manage ecosystems around potential future scenarios.

ARIES can be used by researchers and practitioners to quantify, map, and evaluate ecosystem services and the beneficiaries of these services in case studies covering areas such as the Mt. Elgon ecosystem, and the River Nzoia Basin. Some of the case studies have been designed using locally available, high-resolution spatial datasets to populate models that represent a broad range of ecosystem services in a variety of ecological and socio-economic settings. A relevant case study might include a modeling approach that uses information on the location of crops, nitrogen fertilizer and pesticide applications, soil characteristics, and depth to the ground water table to predict nitrate and pesticide concentrations in wells.

The user-friendly and explorer side of ARIES is the k.explorer. This explorer allows first contact users to query and view live requests for existing models within the system through an easy searchable space bar and drag and drop utilities. However, users are also able to modify existing models, fit them to specific purposes and tailor them by using the modeler side of ARIES which is the k.LAB software modelling environment. This software consists of a set of tools that allows the user to develop models using the k.IM semantically driven language. The k.LAB software can therefore be described as a general model development environment that provides access to a vast network of servers and modeling engines and to specialized tools to create and test one’s own tailored projects.

The ISU training was essentially meant to introduce me to the ARIES k.explorer and to show me how to begin using its set of tools. To begin developing models, one has to be familiar with the k.IM language and the basics of semantically integrated modeling.

Semantic Annotation, also known as semantic tagging or semantic enrichment is the process of attaching additional information to various concepts (e.g. people, places, organizations, etc) in a given text, map, video, or any other content. Unlike conventional text annotations which are for the readers’ reference, semantic annotations are used by machines (computers). When a document (or another piece of content e.g. a GIS map) is semantically tagged, it becomes a source of information that is easy to interpret, combine, interoperate and reuse by our computers. Semantic Annotation makes it easy to:
• Find relevant information in heaps of documents with the help of machines doing the leg work.
• Extract knowledge from disparate sources.
• Provide personalized content, based on machine understandable context.
• Automatically interconnect data.
This then brings us to the concept of the Semantic Web, at the heart of which is making data and models interoperable (through the FAIR- findability, accessibility, interoperability, and reusability- principles). This concept allows the research community to:
1. Put data and models online, where they can be found by people and computers (through search)
2. Label the data and models consistently, so people and computers know what they are, without having to make guesses
3. Develop and use apps that can assemble data and models, in a system of ontologies , to fit a user’s needs for different places, times, and scales.

From 6th to 9th May 2019 I attended the Africlp mid term workshop. I loved it. Saw God move in a mighty way (for me). The power point presentation was good. Great feedback. The Lord be praised.

John Taab Kandila, CEO of Zero2heroes Ltd visited my project in April. He is a pioneer in Evergreen Agriculture, an innovative form of farming that intercrops leguminous trees with maize. Fertiliser Tree Species (FTS) have the ability to fix nitrogen from the atmosphere and use it for biomass production. FTS include Gliricidia sepum and Faiderbia albido amongst others.

Earthworm Pests
A couple of weeks ago, I got ready to inoculate my largest bin (so far) with earthworms. The bin was located outdoors in a well sheltered site beneath the lattice framework of my elevated water tank. I had spent a few days building this 2m × 1m × 1m bin from cypress off-cuts. To begin I laid about 6 inches of bedding comprising of compost, soft greens, paper strips, and kitchen wastes down in the bin. Thereafter I spread out about 2kg of red wrigglers evenly on the surface of the vermibedding.

Four days into the new project, the bin experienced a safari ant infestation. My earthworms were completely decimated by the ants. A safari ant infestation is a catastrophic event and precautions should be taken to guard against such attacks in all outdoor bins.

Several species of ants are attracted to high-concentrate feed in worm beds, and some species are reported to feed on eggs and small worms. Physical barriers can be placed around worm beds to keep ants out. Ants can be controlled with insecticidal powders (such as SEVIN dudu dust) and sprays outside the bins, taking extra precautions to prevent injury to the worms. In addition to the conventional insecticides, one can periodically sprinkle generous quantities of ordinary ash beneath the worm bin. Ash is a natural insect repellant.


Figure 1: The 200 gm Sevin dudu dust available from local stores retailing for about 100 KES.

Other earthworm pests include birds, rats, snakes, moles, mice, gophers, toads, and other insects or animals that feed on worms or mo**st them. Arthropods such as mites and ants are probably of the greatest concern to earthworm growers.

Mites
Mites are natural inhabitants of manures and similar organic materials. All worm beds contain small populations of mites, which under certain conditions may reach extremely high levels. If worm beds are not cared for properly, acidity can build up and create conditions that allow mites to thrive. Routinely check pH and add agricultural lime if the pH is less than 6.8. Alternatively, you can crush egg shells into a fine power (using a pestle and mortar), make a solution with water and sprinkle it in the worm bin.

White or Brown Mites
White or brown mites are not predaceous and tend to feed only on decaying or injured worms. During infestations, however, these mites can devour much of the food in earthworm beds, depriving worms of needed nutrients. This increases worm growers' costs and time spent feeding worms. Mite populations at high levels also can cause worms to stay deep in the beds and not come to the surface for feeding, resulting in poor growth and reproduction.

Red Mites
The red mite is parasitic to earthworms. It attaches itself to the worm and sucks its blood or body fluid. Red mites also are capable of piercing and sucking fluids from egg cocoons. These mites first appear as small white or gray clusters resembling mold.
Magnification will reveal clusters of juvenile red mites in various stages of development. The adult red mite, which is smaller than the white or brown mite, has an egg-shaped body, is bright red, and has eight legs.

Mite Prevention
The best control for earthworm mites is prevention. Proper care of worm beds can prevent a harmful buildup of mites. Bed conditions ideal for worm production are not conducive to high mite populations. Conversely, beds with high mite populations are being improperly managed for optimum worm production. This is largely due to overfeeding. Too much food can cause an accumulation of fermented feed in worm beds and lower the pH of the beds. Adjust feeding schedules so that all feed is consumed within a few days. Maintain beds around a neutral pH 7; use agricultural lime, calcium carbonate or egg shells to adjust the pH level.
Excessively wet or fleshy feed—Vegetables with high moisture content can cause high mite populations. Limit the use of such feed, and if high mite populations are discovered, discontinue the use of this feed until mite populations are under control.

Mite Removal
Several methods have been suggested for removing mites from earthworm beds. Bear in mind that any type of mite removal, physical or chemical, will only be temporary unless worm bed management is altered to make conditions less favorable for mites. The following techniques range from low- to high-intensity measures.

Method #1—Uncover the worm beds and expose them to sunlight for several hours. Reduce the amount of water and feed. Mites will not like this environment and they may leave the worm beds.

Method #2—Water heavily, but do not flood, the worm beds. Mites will move to the surface, and worms will stay below the surface. Use a hand-held propane torch to scorch the top of the beds and kill the mites. Take appropriate safety precautions when using the torch. This procedure may be repeated several times, at three-day intervals, if needed.

Method #3—Use a light dusting of soil sulphur to kill the mites. After soaking the worm bed with water and causing the mites to surface, apply a rate of 1/16 ounce of sulphur per square foot of bed surface. Sulphur will not harm the worms, but in time, it may increase the acidity of the bed and reduce earthworm populations.


Figure 2: The cypress off cut worm bin with generous quantities of ash beneath the bin.

Califonia Worm Farm, Kitale
Pre-composting of livestock manure
Composting is the transformation of raw organic materials into biologically-stable, humus-rich substances under conditions that allow for the development of thermophilic temperatures (above 45 C or 113 F). Composting produces a final product that is stable, free of pathogens and plant seeds suitable for growing plants as well as feeding earthworms. It is a form of waste stabilization that requires special conditions of moisture and aeration to produce the requisite thermophilic temperatures.


Figure 1: Preparation of compost heap
Aeration can conveniently be achieved by means of Aerated Static Pile (ASP) composting. This simply means that air flow is induced through the compost materials using an electric blower. By doing so, no labour intensive pile turning is required during the composting process. With aerated composting, by maintaining air flow through the compost pile the temperatures are controlled. This, in turn, expedites the composting process and a high-quality compost product that is effectively free of pathogens, parasites, and w**d seeds results can be produced in less than 6 weeks. Of equal significance is that ASP composting also reduces Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), Ammonia and Nox emissions respectively.

The technical term for the minimum criteria to produce a high quality compost is “Process to Further Reduce Pathogens” or PFRP. Elsewhere, the composting industry has adopted these criteria for virtually all organic waste materials to ensure that finished compost products are safe to use on crops.

The PFRP criteria for the aerated static pile method of composting is as follows:
1. Pile temperatures shall be maintained at 55 C (131 F) or higher for a minimum of 3 days.
2. F***l coliform must be less than 1,000 most probable numbers (MPN) per gram total solids (dry-weight-basis).
3. Salmonella sp. Bacteria must be less than 3 MPN per 4 grams of total solids (dry-weight-basis).

INITIAL MIX OF MATERIALS
The initial mix of materials controls the composting process and predetermines the quality of the finished product. The five primary parameters are:

• Particle Size
• Carbon to Nitrogen Ratio (C:N)
• Bulk Density
• Free Air Space
• Moisture Content
• pH (measure of acidity)

In addition to these six parameters, it is important that the initial mix be a homogeneous blend of materials, and not stratified. Layers, such as grass clippings, straw or paper products, will be compressed during the composting process and impede uniform airflow through the mix.

Moisture Content
Maintaining moisture content in the compost pile of >50% is of critical importance. If the moisture content drops below 50%, the biologic process stops and no further decomposition will occur. Rewetting the pile by sprinkling it from the outside is not effective because the outer layer, once it becomes wet, will act as an “umbrella” and it will shed water, not absorb it. Additionally, if the compost mix gets very dry –