Corn/Maize Farm, Plantation in Kenya

 

Corn / Maize is a cereal grain that is grown in many parts of the world. 

It is grown worldwide and is a staple food for many communities.

People consume maize as food in different forms while also making animal feeds from the product.

Commercial products from the maize grain include corn starch and syrup.

Sweet corn maize varieties are for human consumption. 

Field corns are applicable in making animal feeds and fermentation of alcoholic beverages. 

Varieties of maize provide raw materials for making biofuels like ethanol. 

Corn is the widely grown cereal grain globally.

Farmers grow maize on large-scale farms or plantations to realize economic benefits from the economies of scale. 

Genetically modified maize is popular for plantation farmers as it offers good resistance to pests, diseases, herbicides, and harsh weather conditions.

Governments worldwide support maize farmers via sufficient subsidies, especially on agricultural inputs and technology.

Maize plantations in Kenya are largescale in the Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu,  Narok, and Kajiado counties. Small-scale maize farming is common in other parts of the country.

 

Hills, Hilly Landscape in Kenya

 

A hill comprises a landform that is higher than the surrounding land terrain.

The top-most or highest point of the hill is known as the summit.

A hill differs from a mountain as it is not as high or steep. 

Small hills are known as hillocks or knolls.

The formation of hills is through the geomorphic processes like faulting, continuous mountain erosion, and deposition of glacier and rock sediments.

A hilly landscape is a geographical area with several high points and gentle slopes. 

Hills are significant to human beings are they are scenic, have fertile soils, and offer a stable foundation for buildings.

In nature, hills offer ecosystems that enable diverse plant and animal species to coexist mutually.

An example of a hill is the Ngong Hills in Kenya.

 

 

Sunflower Plantation in Kenya

 

Sunflowers comprise flowering plants, which develop annually or perenially.

There are several species of sunflowers. However, the popular category is the common sunflower.

A unique attribute of the common sunflower is the round and yellow flower heads that resemble the sun.

Sunflowers form a nutritious food source for human beings and animals. Some sunflower plantations are for aesthetic value. 

Thus, the large-scale cultivation of sunflower plantations offers economic value to the farmers.

One interesting point is that young sunflower heads, before blooming, move in the direction of sunlight to enhance photosynthesis and attract pollinators. 

At maturity, the movement stops, and the sunflower heads remain stationary facing east to benefit from the warm rising sunlight. 

Sunflower plantations provide beautiful scenery on the farm and along the road. The plant produces nectar that attracts beneficial pollinators like the honey bees.

 

Agroforestry Plantation

 

Agroforestry involves the commercial integration of agricultural practices and tree development on a farm or plantation.

The growing of trees and plants occurs concurrently in the same pastureland. 

An instance of agroforestry is the planting of trees on a maize plantation.

Another example is the planting of crops in forest environments sustainably.

Agroforestry is economical and beneficial in three main ways:

1. It enables the farmer to benefit from commercial tree use like access to timber.
2. It facilitates the diverse production and supply of nutritious food items like grains, vegetables, and fruits.
3. It achieves sustainable environmental protection as the tree and food resources benefit the present and future generations.

Agroforestry can also incorporate the rearing of domestic and wild animals.

It encourages the continuous development of indigenous tree and plant species.

 

 

Beautiful Wheat Plantation

 

Wheat is a grass category, and the cultivation produces seeds or cereal grains.

Wheat grains and flour comprise staple food items in many communities globally.

Commercial farming of wheat is through large-scale plantations. 

The demand for wheat products is rising due to the increasing global population.

The nutrition benefits of wheat include carbohydrates, vegetable proteins, and dietary fiber. 

Common wheat categories are white and red, while other varieties are black and yellow.

Wheat has value as a cash crop as it generates a good yield in a given area and has good performance in a temperate climate.  

 

 

Karura Forest, Kiambu Road Entrance

 

Karura Forest is in Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya.

One of the access gates to the urban forest is along the Kiambu Road. Another access route is via Limuru Road. 

The management is by the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) and the Friends of Karura Forest. 

The forest has hundreds of indigenous trees, birds, insects, reptiles, and animals species.

In recent history, the existence of the forest was at a threat by the increase in human activities from the expanding urban and housing environments in Nairobi.

Professor Wangari Maathai, the leader of the Green Belt Movement, was at the forefront of conserving the forest in the 1990s. 

As a result of her successful environmental campaign, she won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004. 

It is the largest gazetted forest in the Nairobi metropolitan area. 

Karura forest is an attractive tourism and recreation spot for citizens and foreign nationals.

Visitors enjoy scenic nature trails, which are good for biking, running, jogging, and walking.  

 

Beautiful Scenic Trees

 

Trees comprise perennial and woody plants with long trunks and branches with leaves.

The lifespan of most trees is long as they can achieve several decades or centuries. 

Trees are firmly supported in the ground by systems of roots, which obtain nutrients and moisture from the rocks and soil.  

Tree branches, shoots, and leaves use light energy and photosynthesis to generate sugar and energy necessary for development. 

Reproduction of trees is via seeds or pollen cones.

The significance of trees in the environment is mitigating soil erosion and regulating weather and climate.

Also, trees absorb and store carbon dioxide from the air while releasing oxygen in sufficient quantities that benefit animals. 

A collection of trees is known as a forest, which offers a habitat for diverse categories of plants and animals. 

In the human population, trees have value as a source of shade, shelter, energy, nutrition, and medicine materials. 

 

Sheep, Beautiful and Useful Domestic Animals

 

Sheep comprise livestock of value for various communities.

The population of sheep is about one billion globally. 

Sheep have agricultural and economic value as they are a source of meat (mutton or lamb), milk, skin, and wool.

A collection of sheep is known as a flock.

Sheep are herbivores and, therefore, they graze on roughage, legumes, vines, and grass. Occasionally, sheep rest to chew the cud. 

Sheep have the herd and gregarious behavior as they adhere to the dominance hierarchy follow the leader naturally to new pasture.

 

Mount Ololokwe, Samburu County, Kenya

Mount Ololokwe is a massive rock that emerges from the Samburu desert plains.

It is religiously significant to the Samburu Community as it is a sacred place of worship.

The mountain is accessible to tourists, and there are armed rangers and porters familiar with the trails. 

Clear visibility and access routes are along the Isiolo- Marsabit highway.

Arid and semi-arid vegetation and wildlife are visible atop the mountain.

The mountain is culturally significant as it contains moran caves that facilitate ritual and initiation ceremonies.

Samburu herders use the mountain for grazing purposes as it has rich and diverse vegetation. 

 

 

Goats, Useful Domestic Animals

 

Goats are domestic animals that offer valuable nutrition sources of milk and meat and high-quality skin or fur. 

In some families, goats are pets that offer comfort, company, and therapy.

The male and female goats are known as bucks and does respectively, while immature ones are kids.

Goats are herbivorous browsers that eat foliage items like grass, vines, and weeds.

The key behaviors of goats are curiosity and agility and, therefore, they can jump enclosures and climb tree branches.

Collectively, goats are known as tribe or herd. 

 

 

 

Floods, after Heavy Rainfall

 

Floods / flooding occur when water overflows on the surface of the earth.

Overflowing water submerges the land, which is usually dry.

Flooding is common in areas that experience heavy rainfall.

It limits human activities as overflowing water makes roads impassable and destroys critical infrastructure like electricity pole connections and the water and sewerage networks. 

It is usually a temporary occurrence, as the water levels reduce when the rain quantity reduces. 

A good solution for the effects of floods involves developing high-quality and effective drainage systems in the neighborhood.     

    

 

Interesting Points on Camels

 

Camels are domestic animals that benefit people in arid and semi-arid lands significantly.

They are a source of nutritious foods, which comprise milk and meat.

Additionally, the skin and hair of camels are applicable in making high-quality textile products.

Nomadic communities use camels as working animals to transport products and people. 

Rearing and trading in camels offer economic opportunities to pastoralists, who are members the nomadic communities. 

Key camel species include the one-humped and two-humped camels.

The hump(s) on the backs of camels have nutritious fatty deposits, which allow camels to survive in desert habitats for several weeks or months without food and water. 

Camels  comprise herbivores that eat grass, grains, leaves, and shrubs.