Browsing by Author "Ngetich, F.K."

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Does the Adoption of Minimum Tillage Improve Sorghum Yield Among Smallholders in Kenya? A Counterfactual Analysis
(Elsevier B.V., 2022) Musafiri, C.M.; Kiboi, M.; Macharia, J.; Ng'etich, O.K.; Okoti, M.; Mulianga, B.; Kosgei, D.K.; Ngetich, F.K.; University of Embu ; Cortile Scientific Limited ; KCA University ; Kenyatta University ; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) ; , Moi University ; Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology
Climate change is a major drawback to food security in most developing countries. Promoting minimum tillage and climate-smart crops is essential in mitigating and adapting to climate shocks. However, information on the impacts of minimum tillage on crop productivity under farmers' conditions is limited in Western Kenya. We assessed the effects of minimum tillage adoption on sorghum productivity among smallholder sorghum farmers in Western Kenya. We used household survey data collected from 300 smallholder farmers and performed an endogenous switching regression model to analyze the effects of minimum tillage adoption on sorghum yields. The results revealed that the adoption of minimum tillage increased sorghum yields by 11%, from 1163 to 1146 kg ha−1. The occupation of the household head, acreage, soil fertility perception, and farm credit significantly and positively determined minimum tillage adoption. The remittance, agricultural associations, weather information, and site negatively and significantly determined minimum tillage adoption. Our findings suggest that minimum tillage adoption under drought-tolerant crops such as sorghum could improve community wellbeing through increased crop productivity, notwithstanding the changing climate and associated weather shocks.
Economic Evaluation and Socioeconomic Drivers Influencing Farmers’ Perceptions on Benefits of Using Organic Inputs Technologies in Upper Eastern Kenya
(Elsevier B.V., 2021-09-06) Mwaura, G.G.; Kiboi, M.N.; Mugwe, J.N.; Nicolay, G.; Bett, E.K.; Muriuki, A.; Musafiri, C.M.; Ngetich, F.K.; Kenyatta University ; University of Embu ; Cortile Scientific Company Ltd ; Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) ; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization ; Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST)
Declining soil fertility in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is a significant constraint towards increasing agricultural productivity. Soil fertility decline coupled with rapid population growth and low use of organic soil fertility technologies has threatened the population’s economic status that lives in the rural area and relies on rain-fed agriculture. We conducted a cross-sectional household survey in the Central Highlands of Kenya (Gatanga and Meru South sub-counties) to determine farmers’ perception of the benefits of using organic resources technologies, socioeconomic drivers influencing their perceptions, and financial returns from the technologies. The selected technologies were; sole animal manure and a combination of animal manure with inorganic fertilizer. We based the benefits of using the selected soil fertility management technologies on four variables; potential to improve soil fertility, crop yields, profitability, and labor requirement. The majority of the farmers strongly agreed that using the selected technologies improved soil fertility, crop yields and were profitable. On the contrary, they agreed it was labor-intensive. Gender of the household head, household size, Tropical Livestock Unit (TLU), access to external labor, access to credit, total land cultivated, age, and years of farming experience were the socioeconomic drivers that significantly influenced farmers’ perception of the use of sole animal manure and animal manure combined with inorganic fertilizer. Results showed that animal manure had the highest financial returns of US$ 440.74 in Gatanga, while in Meru South, animal manure combined with inorganic fertilizer had the highest returns of US$ 456.25. The study highlights that the use of sole animal manure and animal manure combined with inorganic fertilizer is perceived positively by the smallholder farmers and has better financial returns than sole inorganic fertilizer. Thus, the use of selected organic resource technologies should be encouraged by creating more awareness through farmers’ training programs.
Greenhouse Gas Fluxes from Selected Soil Fertility Management Practices in Humic Nitisols of Upper Eastern Kenya
(MDPI, 2022-02-08) Githongo, M.W.; Musafiri, C.M.; Macharia, J.M.; Kiboi, M.N.; Fliessbach, A.; Muriuki, A.; Ngetich, F.K.; University of Embu ; Cortile Scientific Limited ; Kenyatta University ; Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FIBL) ; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization - National Agriculture Research Laboratories ; Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST)
We quantified the soil carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O) fluxes of five soil fertility management practices (inorganic fertilizer (Mf), maize residue + inorganic fertilizer (RMf), maize residue + inorganic fertilizer + goat manure (RMfM), maize residue + tithonia diversifolia + goat manure (RTiM), and a control (CtC)) in Kenya’s central highlands using a static chamber method from March 2019 to March 2020. The cumulative annual soil CH4 uptake ranged from −1.07 to −0.64 kg CH4-C ha−1 yr−1, CO2 emissions from 4.59 to 9.01 Mg CO2-C ha−1 yr−1, and N2O fluxes from 104 to 279 g N2O-N ha−1 yr−1. The RTiM produced the highest CO2 emissions (9.01 Mg CO2-C ha−1 yr−1), carbon sequestration (3.99 Mg CO2-eq ha−1), yield-scaled N2O emissions (YSE) (0.043 g N2O-N kg−1 grain yield), the lowest net global warming potential (net GWP) (−14.7 Mg CO2-eq ha−1) and greenhouse gas intensities (GHGI) (−2.81 Kg CO2-eq kg−1 grain yield). We observed average maize grain yields of 7.98 Mg ha−1 yr−1 under RMfM treatment. Integrating inorganic fertilizer and maize residue retention resulted in low emissions, increased soil organic carbon sequestration, and high maize yields
Smallholders’ Adaptation to Climate Change in Western Kenya: Considering Socioeconomic, Institutional, and Biophysical Determinants
(Elsevier B.V., 2022) Musafiri, C.M.; Kiboi, M.; Macharia, J.; Ng’etich, O.K.; Kosgei, D.K.; Mulianga, B.; Okoti, M.; Ngetich, F.K.; University of Embu ; Cortile Scientific Company Ltd ; Kenyatta University ; Moi University ; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) ;Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST); University of Embu; Cortile Scientific Company Ltd; Kenyatta University; Moi University; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO); Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST)
Climate change has stimulated detrimental threats to the global agricultural ecosystems. The study investigated i) the climate change perceptions, drivers, effects, and barriers, and ii) determinants of climate change adaptation among smallholder farmers in Western Kenya. The study interviewed 300 households using a semi-structured face-to-face interview schedule. The study employed two indices, i.e., weighted average and problem confrontation, and two regression models, i.e., Binary logistic and Poisson regression. The findings indicated that smallholder farmers were aware of climate change, its drivers, and its effects. The main barriers to climate change adaptation were unpredictable weather patterns, financial constraints, and limited agricultural training. Group membership and site negatively influenced climate change adaptation. Household head's education, experience, remittance receipt, access to credit on inputs, climate change perception, access to weather information, and cultivated farm size positively influenced climate change adaptation. The findings underscore the importance of tailoring smallholder farmers' dynamics in climate change policies to enhance adaptation. The negative prediction of group membership needs to be emphasized to prevent demotivating farmers from joining community associations. The study highlights the need to incorporate farmers' perceptions of climate change, climate awareness creation, and monetary assistance to enhance climate change resilience among smallholder farmers.
Soil Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Different Land Utilization Types in Western Kenya
(Frontiers, 2022-11-30) Kibet, E.; Musafiri, C.M.; Kiboi, M.; Macharia, J.; Ng’etich, O.K.; Kosgei, D.K.; Mulianga, B.; Okoti, M.; Zeila, A.; Ngetich, F.K.; University of Embu ; Cortile Scientific Limited ; Kenyatta University ; Moi University ; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization ; The World Bank ; Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology
Introduction. There is a vast data gap for the national and regional greenhouse gas (GHG) budget from different smallholder land utilization types in Kenya and sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) at large. Quantifying soil GHG, i.e., methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2), and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from smallholder land utilization types, is essential in filling the data gap. Methods. We quantified soil GHG emissions from different land utilization types in Western Kenya. We conducted a 26-soil GHG sampling campaign from the different land utilization types. The five land utilization types include 1) agroforestry M (agroforestry Markhamia lutea and sorghum), 2) sole sorghum (sorghum monocrop), 3) agroforestry L (Sorghum and Leucaena leucocephala), 4) sole maize (maize monocrop), and 5) grazing land. Results and discussion. The soil GHG fluxes varied across the land utilization types for all three GHGs (p ≤ 0.0001). We observed the lowest CH4 uptake under grazing land (−0.35 kg CH4–C ha−1) and the highest under sole maize (−1.05 kg CH4–C ha−1). We recorded the lowest soil CO2 emissions under sole maize at 6,509.86 kg CO2–Cha−1 and the highest under grazing land at 14,400.75 kg CO2–Cha−1. The results showed the lowest soil N2O fluxes under grazing land at 0.69 kg N2O–N ha−1 and the highest under agroforestry L at 2.48 kg N2O–N ha−1. The main drivers of soil GHG fluxes were soil bulk density, soil organic carbon, soil moisture, clay content, and root production. The yield-scale N2O fluxes ranged from 0.35 g N2O–N kg−1 under sole maize to 4.90 g N2O–N kg−1 grain yields under agroforestry L. Nevertheless, our findings on the influence of land utilization types on soil GHG fluxes and yield-scaled N2O emissions are within previous studies in SSA, including Kenya, thus fundamental in filling the national and regional data of emissions budget. The findings are pivotal to policymakers in developing low-carbon development across land utilization types for smallholders farming systems.
Soil Management Strategies Enhanced Crop Yield, Soil Moisture, and Water Productivity in Nitisols of Upper Eastern Kenya
(Elsevier B.V., 2021-12) Oduor, N.; Kiboi, M.N.; Muriuki, A.; Adamtey, N.; Musafiri, C.M.; Ngetich, F.K.; University of Embu ; Cortile Scientific ; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization ; Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) ; Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST)
Low soil moisture and declining crop yield caused by erratic rainfall, and poor soil management practises con- tribute to the continuous decrease in water productivity. We sought to assess the effects of the selected soil man-agement strategies on crop yield, soil moisture, and water productivity in the Nitisols. We carried out the study in Chuka, Tharaka-Nithi County, and Kandara, Murang’a County. The experiment was laid in a split-plot design. Minimum and conventional tillage were the main treatments, while soil fertility inputs were the sub-treatments. The soil fertility inputs included sole mineral fertilizer, mineral fertilizer plus animal manure, mineral fertilizer plus crop residue, Tithonia diversifolia plus phosphate rock (Minjingu), sole animal manure intercropped with Dolichos Lablab L.. Maize grain, stover yield, soil moisture, and water productivity significantly increased by 6– 22, 10, and 31–33% under conventional tillage than minimum tillage. Mineral fertilizer with or without organic inputs and with or without crop residue mulch significantly (p>0.0002) enhanced maize grain yield by 96 –729% and stover yield by 79 -276% compared to the control in the two sites during the experimental period. Soil fertility inputs significantly increased soil moisture at 0–20 cm depth at the Chuka site by 10 - 40%. Water productivity was significantly (p > 0.0001) improved under mineral fertilizer with or without organic inputs and with or without crop residue mulch by 46 - 279% in both sites. Generally, the combination of organic and inor-ganic resources plus crop residue mulch enhanced soil water productivity irrespective of the tillage method. Their use should be encouraged for improved water productivity. However, tillage effects on crop yield, soil moisture, and water productivity should be investigated under long-term conditions.
Soil Organic Carbon Stocks under Different Land Utilization Types in Western Kenya
(MDPI, 2022-07-06) Kibet, E.; Musafiri, C.M.; Kiboi, M.N.; Macharia, J.; Ng’etich, O.K.; Kosgei, D.K.; Mulianga, B.; Okoti, M.; Zeila, A.; Ngetich, F.K.; University of Embu ; Cortile Scientific ; KCA University ; Kenyatta University ; Moi University ; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) ; The World Bank ; Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST)
The up-surging population in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has led to the conversion of more land for agricultural purposes. Resilient land utilization types that input carbon to the soil are key in enhancing climate change mitigation. However, there are limited data on different land utilization types’ contribution to climate mitigation through carbon input to soils. The study aims to quantify carbon stock across different land utilization types (LUT) practiced in Western Kenya. The following land utilization types were studied: agroforestry M (agroforestry with Markhamia lutea), sole sorghum, agroforestry L (agroforestry with Leucaena leucocephalaI), sole maize, and grazing land replicated thrice. To determine soil bulk density, SOC concentration, and soil carbon stock, soil samples were collected at depths of 0–5, 5–10, 10–20, and 20–30 cm from different LUTs. A PROC ANOVA was used to determine the difference in soil bulk density, SOC, and SOC stock between different LUTs and depths. The four variables differed across the LUTs and depths. A high soil bulk density was observed at 0–5 cm under grazing land (1.6 g cm−3) and the lowest under agroforestry M (1.30 g cm−3). Conversely, the soil bulk density was low at 20–30 cm under grazing land. The 0–5 cm depth accounted for a high share of SOC and SOC stock under Agroforestry M, while the 10–20 and 20–30 cm depth accounted for the high share of SOC stock under agroforestry L. The study showed differences in SOC across the different depths and LUTs. The findings highlight that agroforestry L and agroforestry M are promising interventions toward climate mitigation through carbon induction to soils.
The Effect of Minimum Tillage and Animal Manure on Maize Yields and Soil Organic Carbon in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Meta-Analysis
(Elsevier B.V., 2021-12) Githongo, M.W.; Kiboi, M.N.; Ngetich, F.K.; Musafiri, C.M.; Muriuki, A.; Fliessbach, A.; University of Embu ; Cortile Scientific Limited ; Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) ; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization ; Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FIBL
In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), diminishing soil fertility has been experienced from continuous cropping and low nutrient replacement. Organic inputs and minimum tillage are proposed to increase the declining fertility of the soil to increase crop growth and yields. We reviewed animal manure and minimum tillage use on maize yields and soil organic carbon (SOC) in SSA. This involved a meta-analysis on the influence of minimum tillage and animal manure on maize grain yields and SOC. Reported data on maize yields and soil organic carbon were extracted from figures, tables, and text, of the selected studies. These studies were analyzed using R, and results were presented in a forest plot. Minimum tillage had no significant influence on maize yields and soil organic carbon. Animal manure significantly improved maize yields and soil organic carbon. The study underscored the importance of animal manure in improving maize yields and soil organic carbon in SSA. Animal manure application in maize cropping systems is plausible to increase maize yields and soil organic carbon in SSA.
Tillage System and Integrated Soil Fertility Inputs Improve Smallholder Farmers’ Soil Fertility and Maize Productivity in the Central Highlands of Kenya
(Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development in the Tropics and Subtropics, 2021-09-20) Otieno, E.O.; Ngetich, F.K.; Kiboi, M.N.; Muriuki, A.; Adamtey, N.N.; University of Embu ; Kenyatta University ; Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) ; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO-NARL) ; Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL)
We designed and implemented an on-farm trial in Meru South and Gatanga sub-counties to understand the effects of integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) technologies on soil nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and maize productivity. The technologies included combinations of mineral fertiliser and maize stover (CrMf); crop residue, Tithonia diversifolia and rock phosphate (CrTiP); crop residue, Tithonia diversifolia and goat manure (CrTiMan); crop residue, inorganic fertiliser and goat manure (CrMfMan); crop residue, goat manure and Dolichos lablab (CrManLeg), and sole inorganic fertiliser (Mf) executed under conventional (ConC) and minimum (MinTill) tillage methods. We interviewed the farmers who participated in implementing the trials at the end of the study to understand the likelihood to uptake the technologies. We observed that the technologies increased soil N, P, K, and maize productivity compared to ConC (the control). There was a high likelihood of uptake of high-performing ISFM technologies. We recommend CrTiP for the two sub-counties for the short-term. However, a long-term experiment is needed to evaluate performances of CrTiMan, CrTiP, CrMfMan, and CrManLeg under the two tillage methods for site-specific recommendations taking into consideration rainfall variations.
Uptake of Integrated Soil Fertility Management Technologies in Heterogeneous Smallholder Farms in Sub-Humid Tropics
(Elsevier B.V., 2021-12) Otieno, E.O.; Kiboi, M.N.; Gian, N.; Muriuki, A.; Musafiri, C.M.; Ngetich, F.K.; University of Embu ; Kenyatta University ; Cortile Scientific Limited ; Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) ; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization ; Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST)
Low soil fertility strongly affects environmental sustainability and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) worldwide. Integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) is a potential remedy for declining soil fertility. We addressed determinants of ISFM technologies and identified the sources of soil fertility information using cluster and ordered probit analyses in two counties of the Central Highlands of Kenya. In Tharaka-Nithi county, the uptake of ISFMclass1 (Animal manure +anti-erosion + inorganic fertilizer +crop rotation + legume intercrop), positively correlated with membership to cooperatives, religious groups, SACCOs, and ownership of wheelbarrow but negatively associated with gender, level of education, low farming experience and increased off-farm income. The uptake of ISFMclass2 (Compost +Tithonia diversifolia +minimum tillage +agroforestry + crop residue retention) significantly correlated with religious group membership and ownership of radio. The uptake of ISFMclass3 (sole green manure) positively correlated with a household with an adult offering outside labor but negatively associated with distance to agro-dealers. In Murang'a, ISFMclass2 (Animal manure +inorganic fertilizer +anti-erosion + legume intercrop) is positively associated with farmers' age, membership to cooperatives, television ownership, and access to handhoe and distance to tarmacked roads. Access to drought power, distance to tarmacked road, and buyers positively correlated with ISFMclass1 (Agroforestry +green manure +minimum tillage +crop residue retention + crop rotation). There was a positive correlation between access to drought power and uptake of ISFMclass3 that combined compost and Tithonia diversifolia. We conclude that the region's uptake of unique ISFM combinations is influenced by socioeconomic, bio-physical determinants, and farmers' perception of soil fertility status. We thus recommend that increased upscaling of uptake of unique combinations of ISFM technologies require robust collaboration among various local development stakeholders to address the prohibitive factors while strengthening enabling ones.
Use of Inorganic Fertilizer on Climate-Smart Crops Improves Smallholder Farmers’ Livelihoods: Evidence from Western Kenya.
(Elsevier Ltd., 2023) Musafiri, C.M.; Kiboi, M.; Macharia, J.; Ng’etich, O.K.; Okoti, M.; Mulianga, M.; Kosgei, D.K.; Zeila, A.; Ngetich, F.K.; Cortile Scientific ; , KCA University ; Kenyatta University ; , University of Embu ; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) ; Moi University ; The World Bank ; Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST)
The main challenges facing smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are soil fertility decline and climate change, culminating in increased food insecurity. The double effect of climate change and soil fertility decline could be devastating among the poor rural smallholder farmers, who solely depend on rain-fed agriculture with little investment in adaptive mechanisms. Using inorganic fertilizers and careful selection of climate-resilient crops such as sorghum could improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers through improved soil health and crop yields. However, information on the effects of inorganic fertilizer on sorghum production remains uncertain, especially in SSA. We evaluated the effects of inorganic fertilizers on sorghum yields among smallholder farmers in Western Kenya. We conducted a cross-sectional survey and collected data from 300 smallholder sorghum farmers. We employed a multi-stage sampling procedure to collect data from the specific smallholder farmers from the target population. We employed endogenous switching regression (ESR) modeling to control observed and unobserved bias in predicting the effects of inorganic fertilizer use on productivity. Smallholder farmers applied a limited amount of inorganic fertilizer. We established that hired labor, agricultural training, and farmers' perception of soil erosion were significant positive determinants of inorganic fertilizer use. Location and access to weather forecast information were key negative determinants of inorganic fertilizer use. The use of inorganic fertilizer increased crop yields by 14%. The findings suggested that inorganic amendments could promote food security and improve purchasing power, thus enhancing smallholder farmers' capacity to cope with declining soil fertility and climate change-related challenges. Therefore, agricultural policies targeting improved productivity of smallholder sorghum farmers could enhance inorganic fertilizer use while considering the determinants.

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