Knowledge Center Catalog

Soil fertility mangement in maize -based production systems in kenya: current options and future strategies

By: Contributor(s): Material type: TextTextPublication details: Nairobi (Kenya) KARI|CIMMYT : 2002Description: p. 350-355ISBN:
  • 970-648-120-6
Subject(s): DDC classification:
  • 338.16 FRI
Summary: This paper analyzed the salient factors that affect the adoption of soil fertility management (SFM) technologies in the marginal and medium potential zones of Eastern and Western Kenya, respectively. Data from a survey of 120 smallholder maize farmers from each zone was analyzed using discrete choice (Multinomial logit and Tobit) models. Parameter estimates showed that farmers' resource endowments, costs of SFM technologies, access to cash and labour resources and human capital factors were significant in determining the uptake of SFM technologies. Manure use was restricted to livestock owners suggesting lack of viable alternatives and markets for the input. In the medium potential zone, 52 percent of the farmers were adopters of fertilizer but 70 percent of these adopters applied less than 15 kg N/ha against recommended levels of 55 kg/ha. Thirty-six per cent of the farmers in the marginal zone were adopters of fertilizer and applied an average of 8.6 kg N/ha against a recommended level of 50 kg N/ha. The foregoing results show that resource poverty coupled with low returns to SFM technologies' use were prominent reasons behind their sub-optimal adoption. Maize sector policy interventions should emphasize the provision of sustainable credit and development of low-cost SFM techniques for smallholder farmers in Kenya.
Tags from this library: No tags from this library for this title. Log in to add tags.
Star ratings
    Average rating: 0.0 (0 votes)
Holdings
Item type Current library Collection Call number Copy number Status Date due Barcode Item holds
Book CIMMYT Knowledge Center: John Woolston Library CIMMYT Publications Collection 338.16 FRI (Browse shelf(Opens below)) 1 Available 1O630188
Total holds: 0

This paper analyzed the salient factors that affect the adoption of soil fertility management (SFM) technologies in the marginal and medium potential zones of Eastern and Western Kenya, respectively. Data from a survey of 120 smallholder maize farmers from each zone was analyzed using discrete choice (Multinomial logit and Tobit) models. Parameter estimates showed that farmers' resource endowments, costs of SFM technologies, access to cash and labour resources and human capital factors were significant in determining the uptake of SFM technologies. Manure use was restricted to livestock owners suggesting lack of viable alternatives and markets for the input. In the medium potential zone, 52 percent of the farmers were adopters of fertilizer but 70 percent of these adopters applied less than 15 kg N/ha against recommended levels of 55 kg/ha. Thirty-six per cent of the farmers in the marginal zone were adopters of fertilizer and applied an average of 8.6 kg N/ha against a recommended level of 50 kg N/ha. The foregoing results show that resource poverty coupled with low returns to SFM technologies' use were prominent reasons behind their sub-optimal adoption. Maize sector policy interventions should emphasize the provision of sustainable credit and development of low-cost SFM techniques for smallholder farmers in Kenya.

English

0410|AGRIS 0401|AL-Maize Program

Juan Carlos Mendieta

CIMMYT Publications Collection


International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) © Copyright 2021.
Carretera México-Veracruz. Km. 45, El Batán, Texcoco, México, C.P. 56237.
If you have any question, please contact us at
CIMMYT-Knowledge-Center@cgiar.org