Findings from a survey in Western Kenya to determine the soil fertility replenishment technologies adoption rates

Paper Details

Research Paper 01/12/2019
Views (330) Download (35)
current_issue_feature_image
publication_file

Findings from a survey in Western Kenya to determine the soil fertility replenishment technologies adoption rates

PO Mongare, JR Okalebo, CO Othieno, JO Ochuodho, AK Kipkoech, AO Nekesa
Int. J. Agron. Agri. Res.15( 6), 1-9, December 2019.
Certificate: IJAAR 2019 [Generate Certificate]

Abstract

A survey on adoption levels of the existing soil nitrogen replenishing technologies amongst farmers in three counties in western Kenya was carried out in June 2011. Three farmer associations were Angurai Farmers Development Project (AFDEP), Bungoma Small-Scale Farmers Forum (BUSSFFO) and Mwangaza Farmer Group (MFAGRO). During the survey 223 farmers were interviewed with roughly a half of the households surveyed being members of farmer associations (FAs) and the other half being non-members, who acted as the control. Stratified random sampling technique was used. A repeated measures Analysis of Variance (RM – ANOVA) showed that various soil nitrogen replenishment technologies were adopted to various degrees, F (4.39, 855.43) =23.36, p<.001). The findings of this study indicated that the available technologies most extensively used in the study area were the use of inorganic fertilisers (DAP), planting of improved legumes processing, Lab lab, Push Pull, and Super 2 Package. In second place, were technologies such as seed inoculation, foliar feed use, top dressing fertiliser (CAN) and use of improved legumes. The least used technologies were found to be Ua Kayongo (IR seed), MBILI intercropping, fortified compost, and use of Farm yard manure and liming. The results also indicated that generally, adoption of technologies was higher amongst farmer association members compared with non-members regardless of the county. Bungoma County had significantly highest level of technology adoption level compared to both Busia and Vihiga. Adoption of soil technologies was also found to be positively correlated with farmers’ educational level but inversely related with their age.

VIEWS 42

Dar WD, Twomlow SJ. 2007. Managing agricultural intensification: The role of international research. Crop Protection 26(3), 399-407.

Government of Kenya. 2010. Agricultural Sector Development Strategy (2010 – 2020). Retrieved 20th October, 2016 from https://www.ascu.go.ke.

Jaetzold R, Schmidt H, Hornetz B, Shisanya C. 2006. Ministry of Agriculture Farm Management Handbook of Kenya VOL. II-Part C Subpart C1. Nairobi: Ministry of Agriculture.

Kebeney S, Msanya B, Semoka J, Ngetich W, Kipkoech A. 2015. Socioeconomic factors and soil fertility management practices affecting sorghum production in western Kenya: A case study of Busia county. American Journal of Experimental Agriculture 5(1), 1-11.

Kiptot E. 2008. Adoption dynamics of Tithonia diversifolia for soil fertility management in pilot villages of western Kenya. Experimental Agriculture 44, 73-484.

Kothari R. 2004. Research methodology, methods and techniques. New Delhi, New Age International (p) Ltd Publishers.

Marenya PP, Barrett CB. 2007. Household-level determinants of adoption of improved natural resources management practices among smallholder farmers in western Kenya. Food Policy 32, 515-536.

Matata P, Ajay O, Oduol P, Agumya A. 2010. Socio-economic factors influencing adoption of improved fallow practices among smallholder farmers in western Tanzania. African Journal of Agricultural Research 5(8), 818-823.

McCann JC. 2005. Maize and Grace. Africa’s Encounter with a New World Crop 1500–2000. Harvard University Press, Cambridge.

Nandwa SM. 2003. Perspectives on soil fertility in Africa. In: MP Gichuru, A Bationo, MA Bekunda, HC Goma, PL Mafongonya, DN Mugendi, HM Murwira, SM Nandwa, P Nyathi and M Swift (Eds). Soil fertility management in Africa: A regional perspective. Academic Science Publishers, Nairobi, Kenya.

Nkamleu GB. 2007. Modelling farmers’ decisions on integrated soil nutrient management in sub-Saharan Africa. A multinomial logit analysis in Cameroon. In: Bationo (Ed). Advances in intergrated soil fertility management in sub-Saharan Africa: Challenges and opportunities. Springer Publishers Netherlands 891-903.

Noordzij M, Tripepi G, Dekker F, Zoccali C, Tanck M, Jager K. 2010. Sample size calculations: basic principles and common pitfalls. Nephrol Dial Transplant 25, 1388-1393.

Obura PA, Okalebo JR, Woomer PL. 1999. The effect of PREP-PAC. Components on maize soybeans growth, yield uptake in the acid soil of western Kenya, PREP annual report.

Odendo M, Obare G, Salasya B. 2010. Determinants of the speed of adoption of soil fertility enhancing technologies in western Kenya. Contributed Paper presented at the Joint 3rd African Association of Agricultural Economists (AAAE) and 48th Agricultural Economists Association of South Africa (AEASA) Conference, Cape Town, South Africa, September 19-23, 2010.

Odendo M, Ojiem J, Bationo A, Mudeheri M. 2006. On-farm evaluation and scaling-up of soil fertility management technologies in western Kenya. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems 76, 369-381.

Okalebo JR, Othieno CO, Woomer PL, Karanja NK, Semoka JRM, Bekunda MA, Mugendi DN, Muasya RM, Bationo A, Mukwana EJ. 2006. Available technologies to replenish soil fertility in East Africa. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems 76, 153-170.

Ramisch JJ, Misiko MT, Ekise IE, Mukalama JB. 2006. Strengthening ‘Folk Ecology’: community based learning for integrated soil fertility management, western Kenya. International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability 4(2), 154-168.

Sanchez PA, Denning GL, Nziguheba G. 2009. The African green revolution moves forward. Food Security 1, 37-44.

Sanginga N, Woomer PL (Eds.). 2009. Integrated soil fertility management in Africa: Principles, practices and developmental process. Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility Institute of the International Centre for Tropical agriculture. Nairobi p. 263

Sileshi G, Akinnifesi FK, Debusho LK, Beedy T, Ajayi OC, Mongomba S. 2010. Variation in maize yield gaps with plant nutrient inputs, soil type and climate across sub-Saharan Africa. Field Crops Research 116, pp 1-13.

Smaling E, Nandwa S, Janssen B. 1997. Soil fertility in Africa is at stake. In Buresh, R., Sanchez, P. and Calhoum, F. (eds), Replenishing soil fertility in Africa. SSSA Special Publication, 51, Madison, USA.

Vanlauwe B, Bationo A, Chianu J, Giller KE, Merckx R, Mokwunye U, Ohiokpehai O, Pypers P, Tabo R, Shepherd KD, Smaling EMA, Woomer PL Sanginga N. 2010. Integrated soil fertility management: Operational definition and consequences for implementation and dissemination. Outlook on Agriculture 39(1), 17-24.