Browsing by Author "Obanyi, S.N."
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Item Evaluation of Organic, Inorganic Fertilizers and Tithonia on Maize Performance in Nitisols of Central Kenya: A farmer Field School Approach Report 2005(Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, 2005) Kenya Agricultural Research Institute; Gachimbi, L.; Maina, F.; Obanyi, S.N.; Jager, D.D.; Muchena, F.N.; Kenya Agricultural Research InstituteNgaita area of Kiambu District in Kenya has not been spared by the declining per capita food production common in sub-Saharan Africa. The main reason for this decline is soil fertility. Decline in soil fertility is as a result of complex interaction between biophysical and social economic factors governing the fanner. Farmers in this area are therefore faced with a dilemma of feeding an ever-increasing population while the land resources are declining and food production therefore inadequate. This challenge calls for a conserted effort from aU stakeholders to tackle the soil fertility decline problem. Improving soil fertility has been identified as an essential micro-level strategy for increasing and sustaining food production in small-holder cropping systems (Sanchez et al; 1997). Further intensification and diversification of land use with high value crops is also advocated. The traditional approaches to soil fertility management range from recurring and occasional use of sub-optimal mineral fertilizer rates to applications of low external input agriculture based on organic sources of nutrients. The appropriateness and efficiency of these monolithic methods is a subject of an on-going debate. Many reports are now increasingly showing that a combined and judicious use of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients holds the key to further soil fertility interventions for increased farm productivity (Nandwa and Bekunda, 1998).Item Land Use Practices in Narok District: Biophysical and Socioeconomic Challenges, Copping Strategies and Opportunities: A Baseline Survey Report 2007(Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, 2007) Gachimbi, L.N.; Obanyi, S.N.; Kamoni, P.N.; Gicheru, P.T.; Kenya Agricultural Research InstituteIn Kenya, land degradation and desertification are serious environmental as well as socio-economic problems. Over 80% of the total land surface is classified as Arid and Semi-Arid Land (ASAL), with some 8 - 10 million people, or approximately 30% of the Kenyan population. Around 60% of the ASAL inhabitants live below the poverty line (subsisting on < one dollar a day) higher than the 50% of the country average and are adversely affected by land degradation, desertification and drought. Whilst the majority of the population are pastoralists and agro-pastoralists, farming communities have migrated into the dry lands from high and medium potential areas, which has influenced changes in land-use, subsistence economies and lifestyles. The ASALs conjure up an image of barren unproductive lands, not worthy of development investments; and for many years these areas and their residents have been marginalized politically, socially and economically. Past development initiatives in ASALs have been characterized by: 1) inappropriate policies, 2) changes in traditional ways of life, 3) increasing pressure on the natural resource base, 4) security and conflict problems, and 5) poor provision of services
