Socio-economic predictors, soil fertility knowledge domains and strategies for sustainable maize intensification in Embu County, Kenya

Abstract

Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM) practices are widely recognized as crucial interventions but knowledge-intensive technologies for farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Very few studies have synthesized the knowledge gaps between small-holder practices and recommended ISFM packages. A farm survey was therefore carried out in Runyenjes sub-County of Embu to determine factors influencing the quality of ISFM knowledge considering inorganic fertilizer, organic manure, integrated soil inputs, and improved maize seeds. One hundred small-scale maize farmers were systematically sampled in Embu County, Kenya, using a cross-sectional survey design. The most significant factors shaping the quality of ISFM knowledge (p < 0.05) included gender, age, household size, land under maize, off-farm earnings, maize yield, members involved in farming, farming experience, education level, and farm size. Farmers recorded lower knowledge scores for technical ISFM themes including soil liming, soil testing, fertilizer types, fertilizer functions, curing of organic manure, compost manure management, crop spacing, combination ratios for integrated inputs, and the labor and cost-benefit implications of integrated inputs, revealing important ISFM knowledge gaps. High-quality knowledge of blended fertilizers and DAP use was associated with increased soil testing and soil liming knowledge, respectively. Multivariate analysis of ISFM knowledge items provided a high-quality understanding of the structure of ISFM knowledge among farmers in Embu County, which is useful in developing future ISFM dissemination strategies.

Communication factors influencing adoption of soil and water conservation technologies in the dry zones of Tharaka-Nithi County, Kenya

“…It has been projected that by 2050 the yields from main crops such as maize, sorghum, and millet will have reduced by 8–22% unless sustainable techniques are adapted to curb the impacts of climate variability and declining soil fertility ( Schlenker and Lobell, 2010 ). With a growing population, shrinking farm sizes, rapidly degrading soils, and climate change, the use of technologies that can increase crop yields sustainably is therefore critical in averting the declining food security in SSA ( Shiferaw et al., 2013 ; Mucheru-Muna et al., 2021 ).…”

Determinants of farmers’ knowledge on soil and water conservation technologies in dry zones of Central Highlands, Kenya

“…However, adoption of these technologies has not been as expected, considering the urgency with which the technologies are in need (Mucheru-Muna et al, 2021). In many parts of the developing world, the transition from indigenous agricultural practices to modern technologies is often viewed as a critical step towards achieving broad agricultural development objectives such as food security or self-sufficiency (Waha et al, 2018).…”

“…Inadequate knowledge of the technologies among the farmers is one of the major factors that affects uptake and eventual adoption of new agricultural technologies (Lambrecht et al, 2016;Seitova & Stamkulova, 2017). Considerable literature has pointed how farmers' level of knowledge affects their adoption decisions in soil improvement technologies (Luangduangsitthideth et al, 2019;Mucheru-Muna et al, 2021). Farmers adopt different technologies based on their degree of knowledge.…”

“…However, farmers have been reported to possess little knowledge of the benefits and right use of practices such as inorganic fertilizer and manure use. For instance, they are not aware of the right fertilizer to use, the correct time, mode and rate of application (Mucheru-Muna et al, 2021). The low knowledge level is linked to farmer's poor access to timely and quality information (Adolwa et al, 2017).…”

“…These factors dictate what is within the farmer's reach (Kanyenji et al, 2020). However, there has been an unclear correlation of how various socioeconomic factors influence farmers' level of knowledge of soil and water conservation technologies (Mucheru-Muna et al, 2021). This could be due to high heterogeneity among the communities with different people reacting differently in various situations.…”