Why farmers use so many different maize varieties in West Kenya

Abstract

In this article we reflect on the discussions as to whether breeding and seed system development should proceed along its current well established route of developing varieties with a higher agricultural productivity or if the diversity of farmers, their contexts and rationales requires broader approaches. We make use of data from a recently held survey (2018) in West Kenya. The data show that some 80% of the households in the survey planted both local and hybrid maize varieties. The choices that people make about which variety to plant are many. Apart from rainfall, the availability of cash, the promise of a good yield, the presence of projects and programs and the culture of seed also influences these choices. We argue that an inclusive demand-oriented maize breeding and seed system needs to include a range of varieties and seed sources and to develop and support different delivery pathways to fit farmers’ diverse use of seeds and varieties. Our findings also indicate the need for more systematic study of the diversity of farmers’ rationales and the performance of crop varieties. This would provide useful information for all the actors involved.

Assessment of Maize Yield Response to Agricultural Management Strategies Using the DSSAT–CERES-Maize Model in Trans Nzoia County in Kenya

“…Therefore, moisture deficiency is reduced, and the plant attains the maximum possible kernels per ear (Walne & Reddy, 2022). The benefits of early sowing dates on crop growth and yields have been confirmed by other studies conducted in western Kenya (Almekinders et al, 2021). Crop modelling applications in the African continent also revealed that production is highly dependent on planting windows (Chisanga et al, 2019;MacCarthy et al, 2018;Tofa et al, 2020).…”

“…The cultivar is relatively new, with a yield potential between 9.5 and 15 tonnes per hectare, out-performing other cultivars that have been in existence (Wamalwa, 2013). H614 is one of the oldest cultivars and is popular among farmers, especially in high-altitude regions (Almekinders et al, 2021). According to Obunyali et al, (2019), new cultivars are slowly being adopted due to a lack of performance data under farmers' conditions.…”

How Kenyan Potato Farmers Evaluate the Seed: Implications for the Promotion of Certified Seed Potato

“…Smallholder farmers have many other objectives that are non-farming related based on which they might prefer to spend their available cash (Mausch et al 2021;Verkaart et al 2018). Being cash-constrained is a general phenomenon in West Kenya and even more so for the poorest households (Almekinders et al 2021). Using farmsaved seed that yields sufficiently might therefore be preferred over seed that requires cash but might provide a higher yield.…”

“…There are reported instances where farmers do not read or understand the safety information displayed on pesticide product labels (Waichman et al 2007). Almekinders et al (2021) also reported the lacking attention of farmers for the information on bags and labels of maize seed in western Kenya. Because in rural Africa, labels do not exist for the majority of the products available, consumers/users find their quality cues in a different way.…”

Enabling effective maize seed system in low-income countries of West Africa: Insights from Benin

“…According to Almekinders et al (2021), in West Kenya, factors that guide the use of local but also improved maize varieties in farmers' fields include for instance rainfall, the availability of cash, the promise of a good yield, the presence of projects and programs, and the culture of seed. By taking into account the socioeconomic and cultural context together with the agroclimatic conditions, the need to use on-farm and ex-situ genetic resource of maize become obvious.…”