Maize is an important agricultural commodity in central Kenya and grown by about 70 percent of the farmers. Soil erosion has caused losses in maize grain yield of up to 83 percent and has greatly contributed to food deficit, famine and rising levels of poverty in central Kenya. To boost food security, farmers need to control soil erosion in order to maintain the physical, chemical and biological soil conditions favorable to crop production. A study was carried out in Kiambu District, central Kenya in 1999 and 2000 to determine maize grain yields from sloping land with terraces, hedgerows grass strips and a control without conservation measures. Results show that maize grain yields improved substantially in terraced land and marginally on land with grass strips. The hedgerous had a negative effect on maize grain yield. Soil and nutrient losses were highest from the control plot. This paper also discusses the long-term implications of these soil and water Conservation measures on general food production, land degradation and farm incomes in central Kenya where there is an acute land pressure and increasing dependence on agriculture for livelihood.

English

0409|AGRIS 0401|AL-Maize Program

Juan Carlos Mendieta

CIMMYT Staff Publications Collection