10th U6+ Consortium of African Universities International Conference

Incorporation of edible insect flours into baked snacks offers nutritional and functional advantages, yet formulation thresholds remain poorly defined. This study quantified the compositional, antioxidant, and sensory responses of wheat biscuits fortified with flours from Gonimbrasia belina and Hermetia illucens. Wheat flour was substituted with H. illucens or G. belina flour at 5, 10, 15, and...

Understanding how insect powders interact with cereal matrices is essential for their integration into processed foods. This study investigated how Tenebrio molitor powder alters structure–function relationships in wheat-based composite flours. Composite flours containing 10, 20, and 30% T. molitor powder were analysed for compositional, physicochemical, techno-functional, thermal, and...

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is an important food security crop in Kenya, but its productivity is constrained by a relatively narrow genetic base and environmental influences on trait expression. This study evaluated genetic variability, genotype × environment (G×E) interaction, heritability, genetic advance, and trait associations among five wheat genotypes comprising two parental lines and...

Guizotia abyssinica (L.f.) Cass. and Guizotia scabra (Vis.) Chiov. are common stubborn broadleaf weeds in maize-growing fields of Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. However, information on their morphological variation across agro-ecological zones and their distribution is limited. This study evaluated the morphological characteristics and distribution of Guizotia populations to support species...

Lablab purpureus (L.) is an underutilized, drought-tolerant legume with significant potential to enhance local food and feed systems. However, its widespread integration into farming systems is constrained by a narrow genetic base, late maturity, and low farm-level grain yields <1,000Kgha-1. This study utilized gamma irradiation to induce genetic variation, evaluate heritability, track...

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) is an important food crop in Kenya, especially in the semi-arid areas; many of which also have saline soils. Adoption of salt resistant varieties could improve production in these areas. Cowpeas form significant symbiotic nitrogen fixing association with Bradyrhizobium spp. Climate change could exacerbate the soil salinity posing significant challenges to both cowpea...

Rapid urbanization in sub-Saharan Africa has intensified food and nutrition insecurity, particularly in fast-growing secondary cities where food systems are weak. This study examined the contribution of urban agriculture to household food and nutrition security in Eldoret City, Kenya, using the four pillars framework of availability, access, utilization, and stability. A mixed-methods...

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is one of the world's most important food crops, but its productivity is highly constrained by drought stress, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa where rainfall patterns have become increasingly erratic due to climate change. Despite the growing demand for drought-resilient potato cultivars, limited information exists on the physiological responses of available...

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is a critical food and income crop in Kenya, yet its narrow genetic base limits breeding progress and crop resilience. Characterizing morphological diversity among newly developed lines is essential to leverage diverse traits for future breeding programs and variety development. This study evaluated the phenotypic and morphological diversity of eight potato...

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) is a climate-resilient cereal that plays a critical role in food security in semi-arid regions, yet its productivity is constrained by destructive fungal diseases and declining seed quality. This review synthesizes current knowledge on fungal disease dynamics in sorghum–legume intercropping systems and the ecological mechanisms through which these systems...

The increasing demand for healthier ready-to-eat (RTE) meat products with reduced sodium content has intensified research into natural preservatives with antimicrobial and sensory-enhancing properties. This study investigated the effectiveness of chitosan and rosemary extract as natural preservatives in RTE polony by evaluating microbial quality, sensory characteristics and consumer...

This study quantifies how climate change will alter annual temperature and precipitation across The Gambia’s five regions: West Coast, North Bank, Lower River, Central River, and Upper River, while identifying spatial hotspots of warming and drying relevant for adaptation. Using a multi-model ensemble of global climate models under RCP2.6, RCP4.5, RCP6.0, and RCP8.5, outputs were...

The value chains of the island nutrition-sensitive african famine vegetables are high constrained and fragmented. The value chains are characterized by high post-harvest losses, competition from expensive mainland supplies, unpredictable yields, limited market integration beyond the islands, absence of grading systems, small internal markets, and limited domestication of the free growing...

Grain amaranth is a nutritionally valuable crop recognized for its adaptability across diverse agro-ecologies and its contribution to food security and income generation. This study evaluated the yield and yield-related parameters of 210 grain amaranth accessions sourced from Eldoret markets, alongside standard checks from the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO)....

Limited access to quality planting materials, slow conventional multiplication methods, and persistent pest and disease challenges continue to constrain the productivity of potato in Kenya. On the other hand, commercial plant tissue culture is effective for producing disease-free, true-to-type planting materials for high-value crops. This study was undertaken to determine the viability of...

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) is a critical cereal crop for food security in sub-Saharan Africa due to its tolerance to drought and low-phosphorus environments. However, phosphorus deficiency in heavily weathered tropical soils remains a major impediment to sorghum productivity in the region, especially among the resource-constrained farmers. Cultivation of varieties with enhanced phosphorus...

Indigenous food plants constitute an important part of biodiversity and an invaluable resource among communities living in diverse environments including forest ecosystems. Most of these food plants are hardy, climate resilient, rich in nutrients, and vital for local nutrition and cultural heritage. Besides being a source of diverse foods like legumes, vegetables, fruits and seeds, these...

Agrifood incubation hubs are increasingly promoted as pathways for youth employment, enterprise development, and food systems transformation. However, limited attention has been given to what application-stage evidence reveals before incubation begins, particularly who applies, how applicants articulate their ventures, and whether selection tools can distinguish livelihood-oriented enterprises...

Maintaining high seed quality throughout the post-harvest handling chain remains a major challenge in commercial maize seed production. Harvesting stage, processing, storage and varieties are documented contributing factors to seed quality. Their interactive effects under commercial production systems remain poorly understood. This study evaluated the influence of these factors on the...

Plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs) are significant constraints to finger millet production in Kenya, yet their diversity and distribution in the major growing regions remain poorly characterized. This study assessed the community composition, frequency, and diversity of PPNs associated with finger millet (Eleusine coracana) in Kapsowar ward, Elgeyo-Marakwet County. Soil and root samples were...

Worldwide, the availability of arable land and other natural resources is declining and
is projected to decline further as climate change challenges persist amid a growing
population. Blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) are commercially cultivated
under soilless systems, using growing media, as they require an acidic substrate for
root and plant growth. This review investigates...

Aspergillus flavus the most common grain mould fungi that results in acute form of aflatoxicosis and affects the liver and other organs leading to reduced growth rate and reproduction. The study investigated the effects of different levels of aflatoxin on growth rate, feed intake and plasma cholesterol levels of rabbits. The study had the following objectives; determine the effects of...

Agroforestry practices have demonstrated a positive contribution towards soil fertility replenishment and soil conservation, climate change mitigation and adaptation and biodiversity preservation on agricultural land. However, little is still known about the disease and pest dynamics in these systems, including Plant parasitic nematodes (PPNs). The present study was carried out to characterize...

African food systems are under increasing pressure from climate change, land degradation, declining soil fertility, biodiversity loss, and rapid population growth, threatening progress towards food security and sustainable development. The emergence of the Fifth Industrial Revolution (5IR) has introduced human centered technologies including artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things,...

Soil fertility decline is a major challenge in Hawassa Zuria District, Southern Ethiopia. Farmers practice parkland agroforestry to mitigate this problem; however, the tree species that most effectively enhance soil fertility have not yet been identified. This study therefore aimed to evaluate soil properties under three common parkland tree species such as Acacia tortilis, Croton...

The study examined the integration of agricultural indigenous knowledge to sustainable transition with focus on pathways for modern development in Nigeria. Agricultural production is the backbone of any productive economy. Due to the rise in population in developing countries like Nigeria there is need to advocate for sustainable transition systems in the area of agricultural farming practices...

Applying a socio-biological lens to Indigenous food systems reveals how dietary practices, nutritional choices, and food-related rituals emerge from intertwined biological, ecological, and cultural forces. Socio-biology links evolutionary pressures with social behavior, showing Indigenous foodways as co‑evolved systems shaped by long human–environment relationships that favor sustainability,...

In Sub-Saharan Africa, three-quarters percent of the population do not have access to modern energy equipment’s for use in kitchen as a result of exorbitant price per item due to inflation and taxation more so lack heating appliances in their homes instead lead a minimalist type of lifestyle. Energy access has been a topic of discussion in a number of policy and development domains due to the...

Achieving sustainable food systems in Africa requires innovative approaches that integrate scientific inquiry with community participation, experiential learning, and locally relevant solutions. Community gardens are increasingly recognized as multifunctional spaces capable of enhancing food production, improving nutrition, strengthening environmental stewardship, and promoting collaborative...

This study compared microbial contamination levels and shelf life of the raw milk along the dairy value chain in Rungwe District, Tanzania. Four (04) wards namely Ikuti, Nkunga, Lufingo, and Kiwira and three (03) milk value chains namely Value chain one (VC1), Value chain two (VC2) and Value chain three (VC3) were purposively selected in this study. One hundred and seventy-six (176) milk...

Agriculture remains a cornerstone of Nigeria's economy. However, post-harvest losses of perishable farm produce continue to undermine food security, reduce smallholder farmers' incomes, and impede sustainable agricultural development. These losses are largely attributed to inadequate market access, fragmented distribution systems, and limited digital integration across agricultural value...

Bone meal is valuable by product of the livestock industry widely used as a source of essential minerals in animal feed and organic fertilizers. However, the mechanical properties and nutritional composition of bone meal is significantly influenced by the type of bone tissue, processing conditions (heat treatment and duration), particularly in low-resource settings where temperature regulation...

The emergent nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) have detrimental effect on aquatic organisms when indiscriminately discharged into water body. Accumulation of these nanoparticles in fish tissues could have potential adverse effects on vital organs in fish. The histopathological effect of ZnO-NPs on the endocrine glands and implication on hormonal levels and growth responses of juveniles of hybrid...

Dairy technology adoption offers an important pathway for improving smallholder productivity, household income, and food security in sub-Saharan Africa. This study modelled the drivers of dairy technology adoption among dairy value chain actors in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. An explanatory sequential mixed-methods design involved 355 participants from Ainabkoi, Kapseret, and Moiben...

Mopane worms (Gonimbrasia belina) are a good source of key nutrients and have been known to make significant contributions to the diets of sub-Saharan African communities. However, an in-depth characterisation with respect to their nutritional and functional properties remains scant. This study investigated the nutritional composition, techno‑functional attributes, physicochemical properties,...

Twin constraints of recurrent drought and phosphorus (P)-deficient soils slash upland rice yields across smallholder farming systems in sub-Saharan Africa, yet no study has characterised Kenyan germplasm for combined drought-phosphorus stress tolerance. We screened 96 upland rice genotypes using a citizen-science phenotyping framework that bridges precision laboratory methods with indigenous...

This study evaluated the effects of untreated, composted, and incinerated animal wastes on the physicochemical properties, microbiological safety, nutritional quality, growth, and yield of Talinum triangulare (waterleaf), while assessing farmers’ awareness, utilization patterns, and perceptions of manure management. Physicochemical analyses showed that untreated wastes contained high moisture...