2012 Volume 7 Issue 2 Pages 134-147
To improve crop production and soil moisture available to crops in dryland rain-fed conditions, such as those in Laikipia District, Kenya, land management practices that minimize soil structure damage, improve soil organic matter content, and extend the duration of soil moisture to crops must be embraced by farmers. Rainfall is inadequate in this region, and most smallholder farmers till land continuously for long periods, leading to depleted soils that are easily eroded. Conservation agriculture (CA), which incorporates the benefits of soil and water conservation, could offer a solution to these farmers. This study evaluated farmers’ perceptions of and experiences with CA adoption. Pretested questionnaires were administered to 50 smallholder farmers practicing both CA and conventional farming (CF). Basic data on farmers’ gender, age, education, duration of CA practice, and factors that affected their adoption of CA were obtained. Farm yield data for maize (Zea mays L.) and beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) from 10 smallholder farms cultivated under CF and CA were compared during the 2010, 2011, and 2012 rainy seasons. In-depth focus discussions were held to clarify farmers’ responses. The results of the yield comparison showed that grain yield for both crops doubled under CA as compared to CF. This substantial increase in yield could dramatically improve household food security. Despite the benefits of CA and deliberate efforts by the Ministry of Agriculture and stakeholders to promote CA in the district, the adoption rate among smallholder farmers is still low. This study found that, among other factors, lack of tools or equipment and a lack of technical extension staff for CA contributed to its low adoption rate. Because CA can offer increased yield, while also contributing to sustainable agriculture and environmental conservation, CA will remain a viable option for farmers in the district.
