SIAYA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

INDUSTRIAL ATTACHMENT REPORT

STUDENT’S NAME

BOAZ AHAO

ADMISSION NUMBER

DAGR/0151/S22

COURSE

DIPLOMA IN GENERAL AGRICULTURE

ATTACHMENT OGARNIZATION

AVEPO SMART FARM

FIELD SUPERVISOR

BARRY EMUSOLO

DEPARTMENT

AGRICULTURE AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

ATTACHMENT PERIOD

TH TH
4 SEPTEMBER – 4 DECEMBER 2022

REPORT PRESENTED TO

INDUSTRIAL ATTACHMENT COORDINATION OFFICE TO FORM PART OF

STUDENT’S INDUSTRIAL ATTACHMENT EVALUATION

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DECLARATION

I, BOAZ AHAO, do hereby declare that this report is my original work and does not bear any

material or draft of any report earlier submitted to Kenya National Examination Council and Siaya

Institute of Technology for Academic purposes.

SIGNATURE: ____________________

This report has been submitted with my approval as the Supervisor.

SIGNATURE: ________________________

SUPERVISOR’S NAME: MR. BARRY EMUSOLO

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DEDICATION

I dedicate this report to God and the Managing Director of AVEPO SMART FARM, Siaya. And also

my Supervisor, Mr. BARRY EMUSOLO who kindly gave me all the support I needed to complete

this report. I also dedicate this report to my parents, friends and relatives who have supported me

financially in this report.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The completion of this report in its current form would have been quite difficult without the support,

encouragement, dedication and useful directives extended to me by my Supervisor, Parents and

Friends.

I am very much grateful to Mr. BARRY EMUSOLO - my intelligent and skillful Supervisor who

went through this report and ensured it was perfectly developed.

I greatly appreciate the farm for providing necessary support, the Director of the AVEPO SMART

FARM, Manager, Supervisor and workers for availing the necessary materials and equipment for the

field attachment and report, which made it successful.

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ABSTRACT

The opportunity I was given by AVEPO SMART FARM to undertake my industrial attachment

actually, I gained a lot of skills in the field. The farm ran different departments, Animal production,

Crop production, Agricultural Engineering and Farm Management. For example in dairy cows

management we learnt on how to manage a dairy cow for high quality produce and this include

proper feeding with a well-balanced diet and enough clean water.

In establishment of pasture the most earned was on how to establish a high quality pasture for high

quantity milk production. Most challenge faced included heavy rains in the month of September and

November, which made some of us to arrive late at the attachment.

In crop production, I learnt the negative impact of weeds on field crop, management of crop pest and

crop diseases. I also participated in planting of staple crops like Maize, Sweet potatoes, tomatoes,

apples, sukumawiki, yams and Irish potatoes where we planted different varieties. Spacing is a major

factor that is mostly considered when planting a given crop.

And in Farm mechanization, I leant quiet a number of things. First one was how the Tractor operate,

types of disc plough, harrows, and tillers and Management of Tractor

In conclusion we visited many neighboring places to the farm and we were able to socialize with the

people around and sharing different ideas and also students from various institutions.

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TABLE OF CONTENT

DECLARATION ii
DEDICATION iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT iv
ABSTRACT v
TABLE OF CONTENT vi
CHAPTER ONE 1
1. 0. INTRODUCTION 1
1.1. BACKGROUND OF THE FIELD ATTACHMENT PROGRAMME 1
1.2. OBJECTIVES OF THE ATTACHMENT 1
CHAPTER TWO 2
2.0. PROFILE OF AVEPO SMART FARM 2
2.1. BACKGROUND OF AVEPO SMART FARM. 2
2.1. GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION 2
2.1.2. Ecological factors 3
2.1.3. Core –business 3
2.1.4. ACHIEVEMENTS OF AVEPO SMART FARM 3
CHAPTER THREE 4
3.0 ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE 4
3.1 STRUCTURE OF AVEPO SMART FARM 4
CHAPTER FOUR 5
4.0. OPERATIONS 5
4.1. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 5
4.1.1. VACCINATION 5
4.1.2. Establishment of pasture 5
4.1.3. Dairy cow management 5
4.1.4. Spraying 5
4.1.5. Deworming 5
4.2. New knowledge and skill gained in each of the duties and responsibilities. 5
4.2.1. Vaccination 6
4.2.2. Pasture establishment 6
4.2.3. Dairy cow management 6

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4.2.4. Spraying 6
4.2.5. Deworming 6
4.2.6 Weeding 6
4.2.7 Pest control 6
4.2.8 Disease Control on Crop 6
4.2.9 Harvesting of Crop Produce 6
4.2.10 Maintenance of Farm Tools and Equipment 7
4.3. Things I was interested on most and why. 7
4.4. Things that least interested me and why. 7
4.4. Challenges faced and how they were handled. 7
CHAPTER FIVE 8
5.0. SWOT ANALYSIS- STRENGTH, WEAKNESES, OPPORTUNITIES AND THREATS IN
THE FIELD ATTACHMENT PROGRAMME 8
5.1. STRENGTH. 8
5.2 WEAKNESSES 8
5.3. OPPORTUNITIES. 8
5.4. THREATS 8
CHAPTER SIX 9
6.0. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION 9
6.1. CONCLUSION 9
6.2. RECOMMENDATION 9
REFFERENCES 10
GLOSSARY 11

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CHAPTER ONE

1. 0. INTRODUCTION

1.1. BACKGROUND OF THE FIELD ATTACHMENT PROGRAMME

Field attachment is a session where students go out to the field to familiarize themselves with the

work environment. Students are expected to learn more and do a lot of practical’s to improve their

skills. Students are expected to learn more and do a lot of practical’s to improve their skills.

1.2. OBJECTIVES OF THE ATTACHMENT

1. It enables students to acquire more skills and do it practically in real life situation

2. It enables students to learn on how to communicate to others, co-operate and being honest to

those who are working together.

3. It enables students and people of the industry attached to live in peace.

4. It provides opportunities for the trainees to put into practice skills learned into real life

situation

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CHAPTER TWO

2.0. PROFILE OF AVEPO SMART FARM

2.1. BACKGROUND OF AVEPO SMART FARM.

AVEPO SMART FARM was established in 2018.

Construction of greenhouses and building: October 2018. January 2019: assisted with 5 horticultural
staff to assist in planting of crops.

PREAMABLE

The staff is the department committed to provide high quality training services to all their clients.

VISION

To be the leading producer of healthy and safe horticultural products, therefore establishing trust
between AVEPO SMART FARMs and all customers. While being environmentally friendly, we also
strive to create a safe and rewarding working environment for our employees.

MISSION
AVEPO SMART FARMs is a healthy food producer whose employees are committed to producing
the highest quality products using the safest ways possible and achieving the highest customer
satisfaction.
AVEPO mission is to produce unique vegetables available in the country.

OBJECTIVE
1. To improve access to agricultural technologies.
2. To provide quality production facilities for agricultural development.
3. To promote sustainable land use and conservation of natural resources.

CORE VALUE
Quality, integrity, profitability, progressive, safe working environment, team work, safe secure
products
2.1. GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION
AVEPO SMART FARM is located 2 km from Siaya Town, along Siaya – Nyadorera road.

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2.1.2. Ecological factors

Ecologically the town spreads across ecological zone UN1, to LM5 according to Kenya Soil Survey
and Integrated Regional Development Authority, the lower part of the town can be categorized into
cool and wet.

2.1.3. Core –business

AVEPO SMART FARM deals mainly in crop production, in which it can sell more than forty crates
of tomatoes in a day and a number of crates containing apples, and large bags of sweet potatoes and
Irish potatoes.

2.1.4 ACHIEVEMENTS OF AVEPO SMART FARM

Since the farm was started, it has achieved the following:

- Farm is managed by the Managing Director, with the help of General Manager and
Supervisors, who are very strong and dedicated to work as a team thus making the farm to be
well known and improving to a higher level.
- Since they kept both Guernsey, Freshian and Ayrshire cattle, they produce a lot of milk which
they sell to both local people and to market thus creating a very strong commercial basis.
- Established pastures have also improved and they have built more stores to preserve them
well after harvesting.
- They have modern machines such as milking machine which is used for milking, chaff cutter
for cutting silages and a tractor for compacting hay.

CHALLENGES FACED BY THE FARM

- Weather condition- the area is mostly hot.

- Vast compound
- Lack of modern accommodation facilities
- Inadequate staff

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CHAPTER THREE

3.0 ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

3.1 STRUCTURE OF AVEPO SMART FARM

DIRECTOR

FARM MANAGER

DRIVERS/DELIVERIES AGRONOMIST

CASUAL IRRIGATION/FARM
MANAGEMENT

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CHAPTER FOUR
4.0. OPERATIONS
4.1. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
4.1.1. VACCINATION
This activity took place within Siaya County. We visited places like Siaya, Bondo, Ugunja and
Wagai. Cattle and sheep were vaccinated against anthrax, black quarter and blue tongue disease. We
were visiting two areas in a day. Vaccination was done from 8pm to 1pm and then another station
from 4pm to 6pm. Anthrax and black quarter vaccines administered was blanthranx vaccine to
prevent both diseases. Pen strep and penicillin was administered against blue tongue disease.
4.1.2. Establishment of pasture
PASTURE include hay, boma Rhodes, Lucerne, bra Caria, desmodium and sweet potatoes vines,
during our stay we established boma Rhodes after the seedbeds were well prepared. Planting was
done by mixing DAP fertilizers with boma Rhodes seeds and planted immediately.
Boom sprayer was use in order to control the growth of weeds. 15% of CAN was done during top
dressing using top-dressers. Harvesting was done, then dried to reduce moisture content and prevent
from rotting due to presence of moisture.
The pasture is then packed and stored in a cool and dry store free from predators and rain, also hay
and sweet potatoes vines were also prepared, weeded and harvested.
4.1.3. Dairy Cow Management
This included practices such as feeding deworming and milking. Feeding of dairy cow was done 3
times in a day, at 3am, 1pm and 6pm, dairy cows were provided with feed which had a high quality
and in a recommended quantity. At 3am roughages were provide in bulk necessary to increase
appetite and milk production. At one pm clean water was provide to increase milk production also
given some salt lick (Maziwa) to improve calcium and produce high quality milk. At 6pm to they
were fed with concentrates which have high energy which included cereals and legume grains.
4.1.4. Spraying
It was done regularly to control ticks, flies and other external parasites, this was also to help them
look attractive, and knapsack sprayer was used during spraying. Alma ticks and delete sprays were
used to control external parasites.
4.1.5. Deworming
This was practiced once in a month for better growth of animals to look healthier and of high quality
breeds. De wormers were used to control internal parasites such as tapeworms and roundworms
which compete with animals for food making them unhealthy.

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4.2. New knowledge and skill gained in each of the duties and responsibilities.
4.2.1. Vaccination
A lot of skills gained in this section on how to control various diseases by use of different vaccines
such as penicillin. Pen strep and blanthrax.
4.2.2. Pasture establishment
I got skills on how to establish pastures like boma Rhodes, management practices, harvesting and
storage.
4.2.3. Dairy cow management
A lot of skills gained in this section on how to manage dairy cow from feeding, deworming, spraying
practices for a better production high quality dairy cow.
4.2.4. Spraying
I knew that regularly spraying makes the livestock to look healthier and more attractive on the coat
and can be marketed easily.
4.2.5. Deworming
In this section we got skills on how to manage internal parasites by use of dewormers thus making
cattle to look healthier and also to produce offspring of high quality.
4.2.6 Weeding
This is the removal of unwanted plants on crop field.
We used mechanical method to control weeds and this involves the use of jembe, weeds are uprooted
and exposed to dry.
We carried out weeding on the following crops: Maize crop, Tomatoes, Kales, Beans, Sorghum, Red
paper, broccoli, rhubarb and lettuces.
4.2.7 Pest control
We used different pesticide on different crops depending on the type of pest.
Pesticides are in two forms; Powdered and liquid form. And they are applied on leaves or around
root zone of the crop.

4.2.8 Disease Control on Crop

In Tomatoes production we experience Blight, Bacterial Wilt and Blossom end rot.
The above diseases we control them by practicing field hygiene, planting of certified seed and
application of appropriate chemical.

4.2.9 Harvesting of Crop Produce

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We harvested crop at their right stage and carry out post harvesting practices in crop such as Tomato
where we sorted and grade the produce.
4.2.10 Maintenance of Farm Tools and Equipment
I participated in cleaning Tractor and jembes immediately from the operations and serviced
.Lubrication of moving parts were done.

4.3. Things I was interested on most and why.

What interested me most was the Manager of the farm, who was more friendly polite and dedicated
to his work. He also helped us to acquire more skills in the farm making our attachment successful.
Also about vaccination, we were able to visit many places and interacted with many people thus
sharing of ideas with them making our relationship more closely and create harmony despite of our
varied languages. The staff was so kind and ready to support us during our attachment period.
Machineries in the farm were modern and helped us to carry out our work more easily.
4.4. Things that least interested me and why.
Deworming and spraying was not interesting at all this is because the Vet Doctor in charge was not
discharging dewormers and spray at appropriate time and this made cattle and sheep to suffer a lot
due to pain they under gone .
4.4. Challenges faced and how they were handled.
Also due to the heavy rains in the month of September and November, it made most roads
impassable thus most of us arrived late. We handled this by putting on gumboots and heavy cloth.
During the first week of attachment, the supervisors could take us through all sections making it
difficult to fill our logbooks. This was handled by holding a meeting with our supervisors and
prepared a work plan to follow each day.
During the second month of attachment the supervisor could only give use bed forming throughout
two weeks so it made get difficulty in filling our log books hence we called the meeting with the
manager and the daily routine was changed.

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CHAPTER FIVE
5.0. SWOT ANALYSIS- STRENGTH, WEAKNESES, OPPORTUNITIES AND THREATS
IN THE FIELD ATTACHMENT PROGRAMME
5.1. STRENGTH.
i. It deals with the training and exposure of animal production and health management thus
making students in qualified vet doctors and also being professionals in their practical works.
ii. Through the help of theoretical work, it helped us to acquire skills hence providing us market
for job opportunities and also get places of attachment
iii. It also helped us to participate in practical putting in practice what we learned in class.
iv. Attachments boosted our attitudes towards work and other working colleagues hence
promoting harmony and improve our competent in the field of crop production, animal
production and health management.
5.2 WEAKNESSES
Due to lack of resources such as means of transport in the place of attachment making trainees not to
visit all places to acquire more skills from other people. Some trainees might have little skills due to
absenteeism or not attending classes during practical.
5.3. OPPORTUNITIES.
There is a market for the product within the attachment area of the AVEPO SMART FARM.
With the improved quality of the products and the presence of Kisumu International Air Port
exportation of products can be done.

5.4. THREATS
a) When budgeting proposal are reduced then it lowers the performance on enterprise.
b) Labor input limiting at the point it is needed most.
c) Some of the organization is after overloading the trainees with the work rather than teaching
them to acquire knowledge.
d) Some of the organization lack machines or tools use in practical making students not to
perform any practical work in an easier way.

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CHAPTER SIX

6.0. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

6.1. CONCLUSION

Attachment helped me a lot as I gained new skills not only for certificate award but also for my own
benefit in the near future

I also performed practical work on how to feed, deworm, spray, and management of dairy cow,
primary cultivation on virgin land, secondary cultivation, harrowing and how to plant. Spraying of
crop using pesticide for control of pest, crop protection against diseases such as virus, fungal and
bacterial.

It also boosted my knowledge as I met other students and qualified Vet nary doctors from various
parts of the country who assisted me to acquire more skills and exchange of ideas on theory work
into practical work. Due to their acceptance to attach students improves relationship between the
college and the organization.

6.2. RECOMMENDATION

Through the period of attachment, I learned a lot but due to short time I asked college for more time
for me to acquire more skills.

Due to little resources I had, they recommended for others who would be on attachment be supported
by being paid little amount of money for them to be motivated.

Due to little resources in some organization like machines and tools, I recommended that the
organization to hire or buy more in order for the trainees to carry out their practical work
conveniently.

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REFFERENCES

1) Ministry of agriculture livestock and fisheries act 2005

2) Log book

3) Agriculture K.L.B

4) Google search.

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GLOSSARY

ABBREVIATION MEANING

NEMA National Environmental Management Authority

SIT Siaya Institute of Technology

PDP Part Development Land

IRDA Integrated Regional Development Authority

KSS Kenya Soil Survey

DAP DiAmmonium Phosphate

CAN Calcium Ammonium Nitrate

KLB Kenya Literature Bureau

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