Research on utilization of crop residue for soil fertilityimprovement or as livestock feed is not new even though past efforts haveconcentrated mainly on independent and isolated use of crop residues without anintegrated approach. Despite these past research efforts (mainly conducted byscientists with little participation from farmers) the adoption rates of theimproved recommendations have remained minimal. Reasons for these low adoptionrates are varied. However, it has been argued that many approaches that do notinvolve farmer participation/collaboration often reflect only scientists’perspectives with little contribution from farmers, leading to poorassimilation of research outputs by the farmers. The results of other studieshave indicated that farmer involvement in developing new technologies iscrucial to increasing demand for more technologies given the perceived benefitsand requirements. ASARECA funded project carried out a two (2) year study toevaluate and promote best-bet options for the utilization of crop residues forsustainable natural resource management in crop-livestock system. The studyevaluated the performance of various crop residues on improving soilproductivity and/or as livestock feed.

The technology targets farmers involved in both livestock and cropproduction. Research in western Kenya (Wagai Division – Gem district) applyinga “mother-baby” approach to evaluate the performance of various crop residueson improving soil productivity and/or as livestock feed was undertaken forthree (3) seasons at ten (10) farms under the farmers’ management. The motherplots were used as learning sites which in turn induced the neighboring farmersto set up baby plots with their preferred treatments as early adopters. Calliandrabiomass at 2 tons dry weight/ha in combination with 25 kg DAP/ha gave the highestmaize grain yield in all the mother plots. About 54% of the participatingfarmers adopted the cultivation of Napier grass in a crop-livestock farmingsystem citing several reasons for its preference such as ease of establishment,drought tolerance, increased production of farmyard manure for soil fertilityenhancement and reduced conflict caused by free range grazing in private lands.The main challenge however remains the non-availability of clean Napierplanting materials. Even though Calliandra biomass produced significant maizegrain yield, its preference was less due to the high establishment costs andtime required before getting the desired benefits. Farmers were trained incomposting using different crop residue materials for soil fertility enhancement.

Using this technology, farmers stand to benefit through increasedproductivity, reduced nutrient management costs and increased household incomescompared to when they use inorganic fertilizer alone, which may not beaffordable to some farmers. Improved feed security should translate intoincreased food security in smallholder dairy households. The technology istherefore important for countries like Uganda where the rate of inorganicfertilizer application is very low, and more concerted efforts required in soilfertility management.

The technology is gender neutral and designedto reduce financial burden for all gender categories.

George Ayaga;

Scientist, Kenya Agricultural Research Institute;

P. O. Box 3613;

Kisumu, Kenya.

Mob: +254-722-804125

Tel: +254-057-2026293

Email: ayagag@yahoo.com

Peter Matowo;

Breeder, Selian Agricultural Research Institute;

P. O. Box 6024;

Arusha, Tanzania.

Email: prmatowo@yahoo.com 

Among smallholder farmers, there is a close inter-dependence ofcrops and livestock. The average farm size is approximately 1 ha and more than85% of farms have livestock, usually two or more species. The inter-dependenceof crops and livestock is primarily through dependence of the latter on cropresidues for feed. Farmers manage individual cropping patterns (intercroppedmaize and beans, double cropped maize and cassava) to provide food and feed.Each crop contributes feed during various months. Neither crop nor livestockproductivity can be increased without due consideration of the interactionbetween crops and livestock.