Economic evaluation of local inputs in Meru South District, Kenya
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Date
2007-01
Authors
Mugendi, D.N.
Mucheru-Muna, M.
Mugwe, J. N.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Springer Dordrecht ,The Netherlands
Abstract
Declining land productivity is a major problem facing smallholder farmers in Kenya today. This decline is as a result of reduced soil fertility caused by continuous cultivation without adequate addition of manures and fertilizers. Low soil fertility is one of the greatest challenges facing farmers in the central highlands of Kenya. A farmers participatory trial was established in Meru South District, Kenya in 2000 to investigate feasible soil nutrient replenishment technologies for poor resource smallholder farmers. Results across seven seasons indicate that sole tithonia gave the highest grain yield followed closely by tithonia with half recommended rate of inorganic fertilizer with 6.4 and 6.3 Mg ha-1 respectively. The control treatment gave the lowest yield of 2.2 Mg ha-1 across seasons.