ICRISAT Archival Report 2006 - The seedlings of success in the ...

2.7.2 Up-scaling tied ridging and INM technology
Up-scaling trials were conducted on farmers’ fields in DMP sites in Makueni, Kajiado, Turkana and Marsabit
districts during the short rains of 2005 and long rains of 2006. Water harvesting methods consisted of tied-ridging
and open furrows while the INM treatments were: (1) manure (10 t/ha), (2) manure (5 t/ha), (3) manure (10 t/ha) +
20 kg N/ha + 20 kg P 2 0 5 , (4) manure (5 t/ha) + 20 kg N/ha + 20 kg P 2 0 5 , (5) control (farmers’ practice with no
fertilizers). The aim of up-scaling was to train farmers on how to harvest rainwater (using tied ridges and contour
furrows) and the use of fertilizers and animal manure for soil moisture conservation and soil fertility improvement.
Farmers were trained through demonstrations in selected farmers’ fields. A total of five complete mother trials and
23 baby trials were established in farmers’ fields in the southern rangelands in 2005. However, the trials were
adversely affected by severe drought conditions in Kenya. Other additional trials were established in Turkana and
Marsabit in the long rains of 2006.
Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition or PLAR is a target group-oriented approach involving all the
stakeholders (researchers, development agents and farmers/producers), that will be used after at least two seasons of
on-farm trials. In the establishment of trials, partners included DMP research scientists from collaborating
institutions that included the TSBF Institute (Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility Institute) of CIAT (Centro
Internacional de Agricultura Tropical), KEFRI, KARI, extension staff from the departments of government
ministries, NGOs and CBOs from the DMP sites.
2.7.3 Contribution to the overall DMP project goal and objectives
Up-scaling water harvesting and INM technologies to sustain food production and improve rural livelihoods will
contribute towards the DMP project goal of arresting land degradation. The broad objective is to foster improved
and integrated soil, water, nutrient, vegetation and livestock management technologies and policies to achieve
greater productivity of crops, trees, and animals. This activity falls under the promotion of soil fertility component
of the Output 6 on scaling up NRM options.
2.7.4 Projected potential impact
Water harvesting and INM strategies will increase crop production in ASALs while conserving the environment.
This will lead to improved food security and increased household incomes. The project aims at 50% of the target
populations in DMP sites having one or two integrated soil fertility management technologies by the end the project
in 2008.
2.8 Tree-crop/livestock interactions
Tree-crop/livestock integration offers a promising opportunity for intensifying agricultural production and
increasing ecological integrity so as to have a positive impact on livelihoods and NRM in mixed farming systems.
For poor-resource smallholders, rotations of various crops, forage legumes, trees and use of manure helps maintain
soil biodiversity cheaply, minimize soil erosion and conserve water.
Up-scaling of Melia volkensii (a type of timber) and mangoes was selected as a viable alternative livelihood for
enhancing biodiversity conservation, along with beekeeping.
2.8.1 The basis for the technology’s success
Kenya’s forest cover (about 1.7%) is far below the globally recommended 10% for any country’s total surface area.
This problem is aggravated by expansion of agricultural land. Kenya is therefore increasingly becoming an importer
of forestry related products such as timber and poles. Decreasing forest cover is also contributing to loss of
biodiversity and reduction of carbon. Because of the preference of agricultural production in the high potential areas,
forest expansion can only be feasible in other areas that are less favorable to crop agriculture. However, this concept
is constrained by scarcity of information on appropriate species and technologies.
This challenge has been addressed by KEFRI through the screening of species and use of appropriate forestry
interventions. The process resulted in the selection of Melia volkensii. Over the last two decades, Melia volkensii
(Gürke.) has received great research attention because of its socioeconomic importance in the drylands. This
multipurpose tree species is endemic to the ASALs of eastern Africa with greater distribution range in Kenya. Melia
is used for construction timber, fuelwood, fodder (fruit and leaves), medicine (bark), bee forage, mulch and green
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