Does Land Use Patterns Matter for Bt-Maize: The Case of Maize Farming System in Kenya

Population pressures and the need to optimize the use of limited available land has led to increasing cropping affluence levels within the maize agro-ecologies in Kenya, and a shift from large to smallholder intensification and multiple cropping patterns. Using a geographic information system, this study relates cropping patterns, by area share, maize productivity and household incomes across maize agro-ecologies, with the purpose to establish a decision support system for optimizing land allocation and in priority setting for introduction of new technologies such as Bt maize varieties. Results show that land use patterns and maize productivity in maize farming systems differ between agroecological zones. The high potential areas experience high maize yields, with maize grown alongside major cash crops such as tea and coffee. In contrast, lowland coastal strip and lake Victoria region tend to grow drought tolerant tuber crops (such as cassava and sweet potatoes) alongside maize in appreciable land sizes. Similarly the dry areas grow drought tolerant legumes such as pigeon pea alongside maize. These low potential areas thus concentrate on meeting their subsistence food self-sufficiency needs, pointing at risk management strategies against drought and pests such as stem borer, unlike high potential areas with high value cash crops. Maize breeders should therefore consider insertion of Bt- genes in maize varieties that would achieve high production and which are also capable of safely growing side by side with crops that meet different food security conditions in different agro-ecological zones in Kenya.Land use, Smallholders, Maize production, Food security, Kenya, Crop Production/Industries, Land Economics/Use,

The Seed Industry for Dryland Crops in Eastern Kenya

The development and promotion of improved crop varieties as well as efficient seed production, distribution, and marketing systems have contributed significantly to increased agricultural production and food security in Kenya. However, these impacts have not been replicated in the semi-arid midlands due to climatic, soil, and institutional factors. Following the liberalization of agriculture in the late 1980s, there has been greater participation of the private sector, non-governmental organizations, and voluntary agencies in the area. This study examined the extent to which these developments affected farmers’ access to dryland crops. The study found that the low quantity of seed traded, high cost of production, and high seed supply prices constrained the development of local seed trade. It recommended developing and offering a range of varieties to farmers to increase demand, training to strengthen farmers’ capacity to manage seed on-farm, and reduction of high production and distribution costs through further research and institutional improvements. In addition, the “seed loans” model, which has been very effective in the area, should be strengthened.Agricultural situation, Seed industry, Seed production, Food security, Marketing, Production costs, Distribution costs, Private sector, Public sector, Farmers, Farming systems, Dry farming, Crop husbandry, Kenya, Crop Production/Industries, E16, F01,

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,

FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE ADOPTION OF INTEGRATED SOIL FERTILITY AND WATER MANAGEMENT PRACTICES BY SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN THE SEMI-ARID AREAS OF EASTERN KENYA

In arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs), low adoption of integrated soil fertility and water management (ISFWM) technologies has contributed to food and nutrition insecurity. A study was conducted to assess factors influencing smallholder farmers’ adoption decision of ISFWM technologies in Mwala and Yatta Sub-Counties. A questionnaire was administered to 248 respondents in the study region. Selection of household heads was done in ‘Farmer-led adoption approach’ sites otherwise known as Primary and Secondary Participatory Technology Evaluations (PPATEs and SPPATEs) and Non-PPATEs/SPATEs sites in both Sub-Counties. Relationships between different variables were determined by the Tobit model. The results revealed that group membership (P<0.016), inaccessible credit services (P<0.017), gender (P<0.025), age and access to agricultural extension services (P<0.027) influenced adoption of ISFWM technology significantly. Cost of inputs and access to radio information (P<0.01), access to appropriate farm machines (p<0.001), cost of labor and farmers’ perception on seasons’ reliability (P<0.004) and out-put markets (P<0.006) were reported to affect adoption of ISFWM practices highly significantly. Descriptive statistic results indicated that majority of the respondents (93.9%) in the project areas were adopting a combination of tied ridges, organic fertilizer and improved seed compared to only 6.1% in the non-project area. There was also significantly (P<0.01) higher adoption (76.5%) of a combination of tied ridges, both fertilizer and improved seed in the project area in contrast to merely 23.5% in non-project area, as well as those adopting (80%) a combination of zai pit, both fertilizer and improved seed compared to only 20% in non-project area. Policy makers should focus on availability of affordable credit facilities and farm machines, ease access to information, labor and input-output markets for enhanced farm productivity and livelihoods of the smallholder farmers in ASALs

Smallholder adoption of innovations for maize production in the semi-arid region of Kenya

The research work reported in this thesis is an examination of the use of three innovations (early planting, optimal planting density and use of fertilizers) which seem to offer maize farmers in the Machakos and Kitui districts of the semi-arid Eastern Kenya the highest potential returns. The objectives were: to identify critical agronomic and socio-economic causes of non-adoption of the three innovations. A review of agriculture in the region showed that smallholders operated mixed farming systems that are characterized by low resource productivities and high production risk. Various methods were used to capture and analyze the data that were needed for the examination of the innovation process. Farm and household characteristics, attributes of the innovations, the position of livestock in the farming system, the non-farm enterprise, and household goals and strategies were assessed. Results showed that relationships between individual farm/household characteristics and adoption levels were weak, suggesting that the influence of factors such as profitability of innovations on adoption behavior should be investigated. The three innovations were shown to increase yield and gross margin, but they were also inherently risky. Livestock and non-farm enterprises (Chapter 6) were also considered. These were shown to be significant components of the operation of many farm households. High risk aversion levels were assessed for the majority of the farmers studied. There seemed to be a hierarchical ordering with, in descending order of importance, three main types of goals: security, growth and development, and self esteem and recreation-oriented goals. Security and growth-oriented goals (e.g., education of children), assumed high profiles. The three innovations were assessed for impact on household goals in a programming model (Target-MOTAD). Contribution to net revenue after subsistence and farm maintenance requirements are fulfilled was the optimization criterion. The expected value-negative deviation frontier for the farm plans that included this innovation was everywhere superior to the frontier of traditional farm practices. This indicated that the farmers would obtain higher expected returns at each level of risk if they adopted the optimal planting density innovation. However, incremental expected income was generally less than that to be gained from non-farm enterprises. Conclusions from this research are: that the three innovations considered are economically viable in wetter parts of the region only and that risk reducing options for marginal areas need to be given emphasis in agronomic research if the adoption process is to be accelerated

Demand for Drought Tolerance in Africa: Selection of Drought Tolerant Maize Seed using Framed Field Experiments

Recent projections on the impact of climate change argue that eastern and southern Africa will be two regions around the globe that will experience dramatic reductions in maize yields by mid‐century. Absent from these projections is any consideration for farmer adaptation of cropping practices or land reallocation. This research quantifies risk, loss and ambiguity aversion for a sample of smallholder Kenyan farmers using framed field experiments. This behavioral information, directly elicited, is used to condition the selection of maize varieties differentiated by drought tolerance, pest resistance, maturity, and seed price. Overall, the willingness to pay for drought tolerance and other attributes is highly heterogeneous as determined through a Latent Class modeling approach. Failing to account for farmer heterogeneity biases the potential welfare gains from this technology. Secondly, willingness to pay estimates identify segments of farmers that are seed‐price sensitive and this elastic demand may limit technology purchase and the eventual impact of this adaptation strategy without seed market intervention

Does Land Use Patterns Matter for Bt-Maize: The Case of Maize Farming System in Kenya

Population pressures and the need to optimize the use of limited available land has led to increasing cropping affluence levels within the maize agro-ecologies in Kenya, and a shift from large to smallholder intensification and multiple cropping patterns. Using a geographic information system, this study relates cropping patterns, by area share, maize productivity and household incomes across maize agro-ecologies, with the purpose to establish a decision support system for optimizing land allocation and in priority setting for introduction of new technologies such as Bt maize varieties. Results show that land use patterns and maize productivity in maize farming systems differ between agroecological zones. The high potential areas experience high maize yields, with maize grown alongside major cash crops such as tea and coffee. In contrast, lowland coastal strip and lake Victoria region tend to grow drought tolerant tuber crops (such as cassava and sweet potatoes) alongside maize in appreciable land sizes. Similarly the dry areas grow drought tolerant legumes such as pigeon pea alongside maize. These low potential areas thus concentrate on meeting their subsistence food self-sufficiency needs, pointing at risk management strategies against drought and pests such as stem borer, unlike high potential areas with high value cash crops. Maize breeders should therefore consider insertion of Bt- genes in maize varieties that would achieve high production and which are also capable of safely growing side by side with crops that meet different food security conditions in different agro-ecological zones in Kenya