Recycling Hybrid Maize Varieties: Is It Backward Practice or Innovative Response to Adverse Conditions in Kenya?

Hybrid varieties have significantly contributed to increased maize proclivity in Kenya and other SSA countries. A number of factors limit access of farmers to maize varieties, smallholder farmers have sort an alternative option of recycling the hybrid maize seeds. Seeds are carefully selected based on cob and grain size during or before harvest after which they are preserved. hybrid yielding maize varieties (HYMV) developers and disseminators observe that there is a progressive yield decrease of recycling HYMV. The question is Is it economical to recycle HYMV or an innovation that farmers can practice?. This study was designed to evaluate the yield losses and benefits of hybrid maize recycling in Kenya. Through key informants, farmers who grew both certified seed and recycled maize were identified. For on farm trial (OFT), sixty two (62) farmers who recycled hybrid maize varieties and 30 who grew certified seeds were randomly selected while for the On station trial (OST), the trial was laid out in a completely randomized block design replicated four time with plots measuring 100M square. For the OFT, two plots of 100 square meters were superimposed on farmers fields both on recycled and fresh seed. Input and output levels in the plots were identified and valued. The results showed that the yield decreases at an increasing rate. Yield losses for Double crosses low compared to the Top crosses. The yield levels of recycled Top cross reduced by 16%, 17% and 32 while that for double crosses decreased by 20%, 37% and 46% for the first, second and third recycling generations respectively. However, positive net benefits are attained in recycling HYMV. This implies that it is beneficial to recycle HYMV up-to the third generation level. However at regional and national level food security objectives is comprised. This demands that incentives to discourage farmers from recycling may be sought through development of OPVs which can be recycled if national objective of food security has to be enhanced. From the logit results the major significantly influencing factors in recycling HYMVs are amount of credit, fertilizer, wealth and extension contact.Crop Production/Industries,

Adoption of Maize Production Technologies in the Coastal Lowlands of Kenya

Maize is the major food crop grown in the coastal region of Kenya and constitutes a major component of the diet of the population in the region. However, average yields are far below the potential for the region and low production levels create serious food deficits. Over the years, new technologies have been introduced but adoption has remained low, especially for fertilizer. This paper examined current maize-farming practices and technological and socioeconomic factors that influenced adoption in the Kilifi and Kwale Districts of the Coast Province, that together account for half of maize production in the region. The study found low adoption levels for improved maize varieties and technology, especially fertilizer, among farmers in the area. Farmers cited poor availability of improved varieties, high cost, lack of knowledge, and unfavourable characteristics of improved varieties as reasons for non-adoption. The high price and poor availability of fertilizers, farmers’ inexperience with them, and their perception that soils were already fertile were among reasons given for low fertilizer use. The low levels of adoption of improved varieties indicate that they are not meeting farmers’ needs. The authors recommend that researchers communicate with and include farmers’ criteria when breeding varieties. In addition, alternative options should be extended to farmers who are not able to use inorganic fertilizers. Finally, given the major influence of the institutional environment found in the study, it is recommended that extension services be strengthened, especially where lack of knowledge was cited as a hindrance to adoption.Maize, Crops, Innovation adoption, Technology transfer, Food production, Production economics, Production factors, Plant breeding, Fertilizers, Yields, Kenya, Crop Production/Industries, E14, E16,

The Maize Green Revolution in Kenya Revisited

The maize green revolution, which increased maize yields through the use of improved varieties and fertilizer, has stalled since the mid-eighties in Kenya. This paper examines whether the stagnation of yields continued in the 1990s in spite of the implementation of the maize liberalization policies by the Kenya Government. Analysis of farm level surveys from 1992 and 2002 indicates slight increases in the use of improved maize varieties and fertilizer, but a substantial decrease in the intensity of fertilizer use. The econometric analysis suggests that the intensity of fertilizer use has a major effect on yield. The use of improved maize varieties, however, did not affect yield, suggesting that there are local varieties for some areas that do as well as improved varieties. Research is needed to develop improved varieties for some areas, and also needed for the development of alternative affordable soil fertility measures.green revolution, maize, adoption, soil fertility, Kenya, Crop Production/Industries, International Development,

Recycling Hybrid Maize Varieties: Is It Backward Practice or Innovative Response to Adverse Conditions in Kenya?

Hybrid varieties have significantly contributed to increased maize proclivity in Kenya and other SSA countries. A number of factors limit access of farmers to maize varieties, smallholder farmers have sort an alternative option of recycling the hybrid maize seeds. Seeds are carefully selected based on cob and grain size during or before harvest after which they are preserved. hybrid yielding maize varieties (HYMV) developers and disseminators observe that there is a progressive yield decrease of recycling HYMV. The question is "Is it economical to recycle HYMV or an innovation that farmers can practice?". This study was designed to evaluate the yield losses and benefits of hybrid maize recycling in Kenya. Through key informants, farmers who grew both certified seed and recycled maize were identified. For on farm trial (OFT), sixty two (62) farmers who recycled hybrid maize varieties and 30 who grew certified seeds were randomly selected while for the On station trial (OST), the trial was laid out in a completely randomized block design replicated four time with plots measuring 100M square. For the OFT, two plots of 100 square meters were superimposed on farmers' fields both on recycled and fresh seed. Input and output levels in the plots were identified and valued. The results showed that the yield decreases at an increasing rate. Yield losses for Double crosses low compared to the Top crosses. The yield levels of recycled Top cross reduced by 16%, 17% and 32 while that for double crosses decreased by 20%, 37% and 46% for the first, second and third recycling generations respectively. However, positive net benefits are attained in recycling HYMV. This implies that it is beneficial to recycle HYMV up-to the third generation level. However at regional and national level food security objectives is comprised. This demands that incentives to discourage farmers from recycling may be sought through development of OPVs which can be recycled if national objective of food security has to be enhanced. From the logit results the major significantly influencing factors in recycling HYMVs are amount of credit, fertilizer, wealth and extension contact

Adoption of Maize Production Technologies in the Coastal Lowlands of Kenya

Maize is the major food crop grown in the coastal region of Kenya and constitutes a major component of the diet of the population in the region. However, average yields are far below the potential for the region and low production levels create serious food deficits. Over the years, new technologies have been introduced but adoption has remained low, especially for fertilizer. This paper examined current maize-farming practices and technological and socioeconomic factors that influenced adoption in the Kilifi and Kwale Districts of the Coast Province, that together account for half of maize production in the region. The study found low adoption levels for improved maize varieties and technology, especially fertilizer, among farmers in the area. Farmers cited poor availability of improved varieties, high cost, lack of knowledge, and unfavourable characteristics of improved varieties as reasons for non-adoption. The high price and poor availability of fertilizers, farmers’ inexperience with them, and their perception that soils were already fertile were among reasons given for low fertilizer use. The low levels of adoption of improved varieties indicate that they are not meeting farmers’ needs. The authors recommend that researchers communicate with and include farmers’ criteria when breeding varieties. In addition, alternative options should be extended to farmers who are not able to use inorganic fertilizers. Finally, given the major influence of the institutional environment found in the study, it is recommended that extension services be strengthened, especially where lack of knowledge was cited as a hindrance to adoption

The Maize Green Revolution in Kenya Revisited

The maize green revolution, which increased maize yields through the use of improved varieties and fertilizer, has stalled since the mid-eighties in Kenya. This paper examines whether the stagnation of yields continued in the 1990s in spite of the implementation of the maize liberalization policies by the Kenya Government. Analysis of farm level surveys from 1992 and 2002 indicates slight increases in the use of improved maize varieties and fertilizer, but a substantial decrease in the intensity of fertilizer use. The econometric analysis suggests that the intensity of fertilizer use has a major effect on yield. The use of improved maize varieties, however, did not affect yield, suggesting that there are local varieties for some areas that do as well as improved varieties. Research is needed to develop improved varieties for some areas, and also needed for the development of alternative affordable soil fertility measures