mkulima-kisasa
Wednesday 29 August 2012
mkulima-kisasa: FARMERS REWARDING DAYS AT SIDINDI
mkulima-kisasa: FARMERS REWARDING DAYS AT SIDINDI: Farmers Rewarding Days at Sidindi Harriet Nyaga, Rosemary Macharia and Peter Okoth Our researchers from the International Centre for...
FARMERS REWARDING DAYS AT SIDINDI
Farmers Rewarding Days at Sidindi
Harriet Nyaga,
Rosemary Macharia and Peter Okoth
Our
researchers from the International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) have
just returned from Sidindi, Siaya County, Western Kenya. They had 3 field days
with local farmers and have some interesting stories from that side of the
country.
But first, a
recap of what has been happening. Scientists from CIAT have been experimenting
on how intergrated soil management (use of as proper crop spacing, proper and timely application
of fertilizers, the number of seeds that should be planted per hole, the
importance of thinning and weeding operations among other practices), can
increase the yields by up to 3 times. The farmers in Western Kenya carefully
followed these instructions and produced the yield that the scientists were
hoping for.
Now, last week was an excellent
opportunity for farmers to interact with agricultural research experts in the
field and have their knowledge expanded and their questions answered.
Field
day
The filed
days took place on three of the farms and of farmers who had followed the
planting guidelines provided by CIAT research assistants, and who had the best
performing maize.
Scientists, Ministry
of Agriculture extension staff, CIAT/IPNI Research
Assistants, government officials, Panner seed company representatives,
representative of Syngenta, representatives of One Acre Fund, and farmers within each locality gathered at the farms
where they were taken through the process of ensuring the realization of
good yields from the scientist.
The farmers were issued with a
brochure containing information on the planting procedures to follow and also, the
type and quantity of fertilizer to use during planting and weeding. This
information was explained in detail to the farmers by the CIAT scientists led
by Dr. Peter Okoth.
One farmer, Eric, spoke about
how this new farming technique introduced by CIAT had changed his life. “In
2005, I used to get less than 1 bag of maize in my 1/2 acre farm,” he said.
“But now I will be harvesting more than double what I used to.” He continued to
say that his life had been transformed for the better by the SMS he had been
receiving on agriculture. He can now call himself a farmer and an entrepreneur,
thanks to the CIAT project.
Mr and Mrs Hauka, proud owners
of one of the most productive farms visited by the team
During the field day, the farmers were
particularly interested in understanding the characteristics of the soil on their
farms. They raised the question of how to carry out soil sampling on their
farms and the associated costs.
Dr. Okoth, a soil scientist in CIAT explained
that soil sampling is important in order to check the chemical properties of
the soil. This information enables the farmer to know what elements are either deficient
or in excess in the soil and also puts the farmer in a better position to know which
fertilizer and what amounts to apply in the crop field for specific crops. The
soil pH is a good indicator of the soil condition that is routinely analysed
and if it is too low meaning the soil is acidic (that is pH below 5.5), lime is
added by broadcasting and then incorporating it in to the soil using hand hoes.
If pH is above 5.5 and below pH 7.0 then nothing is done. If the soil pH goes
above 8 then there is reason to worry about soil alkalinity which is address by
adding sulphate of ammonia to bring the pH down.
The soil sampling methodology was explained as
follows; from each plot, composite samples of three top soil samples (0-20cm)
are collected using a soil auger or a hoe. The three composite samples are
thoroughly mixed to come up with a single composite soil sample. About 500
grams to 1 kilogram of the mixed samples are placed in polythene sample bags
and labelled according to household codes and then taken to NARL (National
Agricultural Research Laboratories) for analysis or to any KARI centre that is
close to the where the farmer lives.
They
also spoke to representatives from Syngenta and Panner. Syngenta is an
organization that offers solutions to crop related problems and especially the
problem of chemical weed management. The representative advised farmers on
various land preparation methods and weed control methods using herbicides such
as Primgram, Lumax and Dual Goal as well as the insurance of crops like maize
against drought and excess rainfall, as measured by an automated weather
station.
Also
present was a representative from Panner, a company that deals with various
hybrid seed varieties for the different altitudes. Farmers were advised on the
best seed to plant during either the short or the long rains, and the most
appropriate seed types for different altitudes.
A representative from the One
Acre Fund also attended and spoke to farmers. This is an organization that
encourages farmers to form groups, educates them on different elements of
farming, enables them get access to loans, hybrid seeds, fertilizers and also crop
insurance.
Challenges
Despite making great strides
in farming, there are still some obstacles to be overcome. One of the
challenges the farmers feel they will now face is looking for a good market for
their surplus maize. They have produced more than they ever have and now need
to sell the extra bags and make some money.
Another challenge is the Striga
weed or Witchweed or Kayongo. This weed is notorious for
draining all the nutrients from a plant and causing losses of between 60 to
100% of what was planted. When it flowers, wind or even rain can blow the seeds
to other farms. In addition, people and animals passing through a farm
containing the flowery weed can carry the pollen grains on their clothes or
animal fur respectively, thus transferring them from one farm to another.
Dr. Peter Okoth with bright flowers
of the Kayongo weed
Fredrick,
a middle aged farmer, followed keenly the guidelines set by CIAT and is
expecting a tidy harvest this week. However, he is worried about the lack of
storage facilities for his extra bags of maize. He says that some hybrid varieties
of maize become powdery when stored for long hence a farmer could incur big
losses due to this. He also cited soil erosion as another setback. The
scientists addressed Fredrick’s storage challenge by saying that grains should
be harvested and dried before storage. Dry maize should be kept in a clean and
dry store to avoid weevils and fungal disease attacks. Actellic, a storage
insecticide, should be applied at the rate of 50g /90 Kg bag. This should be
done under shade and not when maize is exposed to direct sun.
The
way forward
Despite these challenges
however, farmers are optimistic, with the experts having given them pointers on
how to overcome these setbacks.
Store enough food for
consumption and only sell the surplus at the appropriate time and price. Dr. Elizabeth
Nambiro also of CIAT explained to farmers that the consumption rate per year
per person in a household is approximately one 90kg bag. So if a family has 4
members, at least 4, 90 kg bags should be stored. The rest can then be sold.
They were also warned against
selling when prices were low because this fetched very low returns to them. The
area chief was particularly strict about this because he would like farmers to
get good value for their produce.
According
to a paper presented by Mignouna D.B (et al) in the Joint 3rd African Association of
Agricultural Economists (AAAE) and 48th Agricultural Economists Association of
South Africa, Scientists
have developed a new technology known as Imazapyr-resistant
maize (IRM) to contain the problem of Kayongo weed.
This involves coating maize seeds with a systemic herbicide called Imazapyr.
One
of the best strategies of getting rid of this weed, according to an article published
by Esilaba (2006), is by using trap-crops. This involves ‘crop rotation of
infested land with non-susceptible crops’.
Roots of cotton, cowpea, jute, soya bean, pigeon pea, chickpea and groundnut are
planted to stimulate a high percentage of the parasite seeds to germinate but
are destroyed or harvested before the parasite can reproduce. Rotation with these
non-host crops interrupts further production of Striga seed and leads to decline in
the seed population in the soil.
The Kayongo weed can also be prevented from
multiplying by uprooting it before it flowers. If all farmers did this, then
this would stop the spreading of the deadly weed from one farm to the next.
Farmers
were also educated on how to handle the problem of soil erosion. Minimum
tillage was mentioned as one of the techniques to reducing soil erosion by
eliminating excessive tillage and also conserving soil moisture. However
minimum tillage could also enhance soil erosion thus, it was important to
incorporate stovers in order to minimize the hammering pressure of the ground
by raindrops.
Seeds to use
Farmers were also advised to
use superior seed varieties like DK 8031, H515, H516, DH 04, PAN
4M-19, DUMA 41 and PIONEER 3253. Some
of the characteristics of these seeds include: high yielding characteristics and
with large cobs; disease tolerant; fast maturing, and with good standing ability
(i.e., will not lodge).
The farmers learned a lot and
I am looking forward to sharing more. Enjoy your week and the weekend ahead!
Thursday 16 August 2012
NEW SMS TECHNOLOGY CAUSING RIPPLES IN WESTERN KENYA
Farmers can now access timely information on farming through a new and friendly SMS service. This novel idea is helping farmers get and use information on best practices on farming through their mobile phones.
It is also socializing them on the benefits of technology use in agriculture.
Thus, the farmer is educated on how to increase their crop yields thereby contributing to food security among the households.
Who is behind this?
It is also socializing them on the benefits of technology use in agriculture.
Thus, the farmer is educated on how to increase their crop yields thereby contributing to food security among the households.
Who is behind this?
This innovation is courtesy of The Africa Soil Information Service (AfSIS) project Objective 5 in collaboration with the African Soil Health Consortium of CABI and a private company, Fibrelink Communications Ltd.
“This idea is going to greatly enhance the level of farming in the country,” says Dr. Peter Okoth of the International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), who mooted the idea in 2008. It is currently being tested in Gem and Ugenya constituencies of Siaya county where 2000 farmers have registered to use the service.
“This idea is going to greatly enhance the level of farming in the country,” says Dr. Peter Okoth of the International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), who mooted the idea in 2008. It is currently being tested in Gem and Ugenya constituencies of Siaya county where 2000 farmers have registered to use the service.
Dr. George Oduor of CABI who is partly funding the project says that the innovation has come at the right time when the continent needs it most and has equipped itself for the electronic technology era and nearly every urban and rural household holds a mobile phone in Kenya. “This is the easiest way to reach the rural farmers,” he adds.
How?
The messages sent to the farmers are written such that they contain content that the farmers need when they are sent. The strategy ensures that the farmer is not overloaded with messages and he/she easily reads and understands it. The messages coincide with the appropriate timing of the farming activity e.g. planting, weeding and harvesting.
What you need
- A mobile phone
- Send a request with the words Agriculture or Agric to the number 5152 to register.
- You will be guided through the simple process of registration.
- Thereafter, you will be receiving periodic messages that will advise you on the required farming activity.
- Registration is ksh 40. Each alert costs ksh 10.
Some of the messages sent
- The rains are here and soil erosion is a threat. If your land has a slope > 8%, dig a 2.5x2ft cutoff drain across, at the crest and mid-slope to check runoff.
- If your maize crop is about 3 weeks from planting time it is time to weed your field. Weeds compete with plants for water and nutrients, affecting their growth.
- Weeding of maize should be completed by now. After this, top-dress with CAN or UREA fertilizers. Use one 50 kg bag/ acre of UREA or two 50 kg bags of CAN/acre.
- The second weeding of maize is due in two weeks’ time. This is also the time to top-dress with CAN or UREA fertilizers. One 50kg bag of UREA/acre or two 50kg CAN
- We recommend strongly that you get your soils analyzed. If pH is below 5.0, please use the CAN fertilizers for topdressing.
- One gets best yields when they combine mineral fertilizers from the shop with animal manure or vegetative compost. Dig a hole to store all vegetable wastes.
- Maize and Beans are prone to diseases and pests that contribute to significant yield losses. Start monitoring your crop early to manage the pests and diseases.
A farmer using this new SMS technology
I think this is one technology that should be replicated in all over the country and beyond. It is affordable and as you have seen, the benefits are many. If we can produce enough (and surplus) food, then we will be taking great strides in economic independence.
Have a productive day!
Wednesday 15 August 2012
MAIZE FARMING SUCCESS STORY FROM WESTERN KENYA
I
read today that there is a looming food crisis- again. Good news is that there
is a way to curb food shortage in Kenya! And it is practical too.
Farmers
in western Kenya are celebrating a bumper harvest thanks to efforts by the
International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT).
So
what exactly are these farmers doing?
Can it be replicated throughout the
country? I believe they can.
These farmers in Western Kenya have been taught how to combine timely and appropriate fertilizer use together
with the application of manure to increase their maize yields.
Now
they have tripled their harvest, for the first time ever. I believe that if a
farmer is willing to learn, he too can increase their yield significantly.
An increased harvest no doubt causes a ripple effect. It means lower food prices, and that means that food will
become more affordable to all. More
affordability means more money for the farmer. This also means that farmers are
economically independent and become entrepreneurs. The rest of us have money
left to take care of our other economic needs. In the end, our country’s
economy will grow significantly.
Maize
is our staple food, served in a variety of ways from Ugali to Githeri to
Mukimo. Now, if more farmers can copy this new way of farming throughout the
country, I think we are looking at sustainable
food security.
Look at photos
of the recently harvested maize. Notice how healthy and
enormous they are.
Now, compare how the farm on the left has healthier and taller maize than the one on the far right. The farm on the left used
the ‘intergarated soil management
system’ while the one on the right did not. What this simply means is a
combination of fertilizer use, weeding, manure application and thinning.
The maize plants are almost 3 times the height of this man
and has twice the number of maize cobs as ordinary maize plant!
Now, the maize has been harvested. Follow me next week Monday 20th
and find out how much the farmers harvested and what they think about the
project!
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