SCALING UP INTEGRATED SOIL FERTILITY MANAGEMENT (ISFM) FOR IMPROVED LIVELIHOODS

Abstract

Low and declining soil fertility is a major problem threatening the livelihoods of majority of people in ECA. There is limited adoption of proven Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM) technologies partly attributed to inadequate capacity and knowledge amidst uncertain markets and marketing environment. Value addition is postulated to increase profitability of farming and thus promote farmer re-investment in ISFM. The project “Scaling up Integrated Soil Fertility Management for improved Livelihoods” sought to upscale best-bet ISFM and value addition technologies/innovations in Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Uganda, increase market opportunities for priority commodities, build capacity of farmers and other value chain actors in ISFM and value addition, and facilitate ISFM adoption. Building on the successes of past projects, this one-year project up-scaled ISFM and value addition technologies from pilot sites to a wider geographical area and reached out to more stakeholders than previously. In Western Kenya (Siaya county), ISFM technologies inclusive of DAP, FYM, Calliandra, Tithonia green biomass and Striga tolerant maize varieties (KSTP 94, IR maize, WS502, WS505) were used to improve maize productivity and manage Striga on-farm. High value banana (NGOMBE variety) and African indigenous vegetables (Crotolaria ochroleuca and Solanum nigrum) were promoted as income generating enterprises. Use of ISFM technologies (farmyard manure) in the production of African indigenous vegetables (Crotolaria ochroleuca and Solanum nigrum), increased farmers’ incomes from KSh 90,000 (US $ 1100) to KSh. 1,000,000 (US $ 12,000) per hectare/year. Currently Sixty (60) farmers are growing these vegetables on 30 ha. In addition, the vegetables have improved household nutrition and enhanced communal social responsibility through neighbors sharing the vegetables). In addition to increased income to increased household income, the demand for Crotalaria seed has increased tremendously. Maize yields and income were 4 to 5 times higher when grown with ISFM than farmers practice.