Scaling up of Integrated Soil Fertility Management Technologies for Improved livelihoods in ECA Region: Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA)

Abstract

Eastern and Central African (ECA) countries depend largely on agriculture. However, land degradation and soil fertility depletion remain major biophysical constraints to agricultural productivity, partly attributed to poor agricultural practices among smallholder farmers. In furtherance of its programs for specific development projects designed to support integrated agricultural research, ASARECA is supporting a one year project entitled “Scaling up Integrated Soil Fertility Management for Improved Livelihoods” implemented in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania. The project aims at scaling up Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM) and value addition technologies/innovations that respond to agricultural products markets, as demonstrated in the previous ASARECA-supported projects. It also a aims at enhancing the capacities of partner institutions and value chain actors to build market driven approaches, focusing on the development of competitive value chains that will lead to increased production and income, food security and trade in the region. Seven technologies have been put in place inclusive of the use of integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) technologies (i) Biomass transfer Calliandra combined with DAP in maize production and Striga control, (ii)use of FYM and DAP in maize production and Striga control, (iii) Use of Striga tolerant maize varieties. Other technologies include introduction of high value banana varieties, indigenous vegetable, fertilizer trees for soil fertility enrichment. Three key stakeholders (Ministry of Agriculture, farmers group and one NGO benefited from assorted capacity building initiatives).