Working Document Series Open Access 2010 RUF-34673

Strengthening researcher-extension-farmer participation in soil fertility restoration for sustainable crop production in western Kenya

E. AdipalaB. AmarL. DidierS.O. GuduB. JamaA. KipkoechD. MbakayaR. MerckxA.O. NekesaW. NgetichJ. OchuodhoJ.R. OkaleboM.A. OsundwaC.O. OthienoP. PypersC. SeremB. VanlauweP.L. Woomer

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Abstract

131 words

Food insecurity in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) results mainly from common and prolonged droughts, fertility depleted soils, poor economies and insignificant researcher-extension-farmer contacts to demonstrate technologies. The soils are predominantly deficient in N and P nutrients, soil organic matter and are generally acidic. In these soils nutrient additions have raised maize (staple) yields in western Kenya from 0.5 to 3-5 t/ ha/season, when 75 kg N, 26 kg P and 2 t/ha agricultural lime are applied. Farmers always indicate the unaffordable costs of these materials. To mitigate these problems, cooperation among international institutions has been launched in the region to diversify fertilizer and lime applications, to reach 50,000 farmers by 2012. Use of low cost materials such as phosphate rocks, lime and manures is emphasized. This paper highlights some of these efforts.

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