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!