Up-scaling and promotion of suitable integrated soil fertility and water management strategies for increasing productivity in the arid and semi-arid lands of Kenya using Farmer Field Schools

E.M. Gichangi, J.K. Itabari, S.N. Nguluu, P. Kathuli and J.M. Wambua

Summary

Despite research findings indicating that inorganic fertilisers can be feasible and profitable strategies in managing soil fertility, adoption of fertiliser technologies has been low. In Machakos District, about 60% of the farmers do not use inorganic fertiliser and among the users 50% apply less than the recommended rate of the input. Manure supplies are inevitably low and of poor quality and might not alone prevent a decline in crop yields. There is, therefore, need to up-scale and promote integrated soil fertility management strategies that combine a mix of organic and inorganic materials in combination with appropriate water management techniques, selection of appropriate crops and proper timing and placement of the inputs to maximise nutrient use efficiency. The objectives of the project are to: i) up-scale and promote integrated soil fertility and water management on different soil types in agroecological zones 4 and 5, and ii) identify opportunities for improvement and modification of the technologies from farmers observations and feedback.