African Land Studies (Interdisciplinary - incl Agri/Env/Earth) | 11 February 2004
Conservation Agriculture Practices among Maize Farmers in Eastern Kenya: An Impact Study
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Abstract
Conservation agriculture practices (CAPs) have shown promise in enhancing soil health and increasing crop yields among smallholder farmers in various regions globally. A participatory action research approach was employed, involving semi-structured interviews with 50 farmers and field observations at three randomly selected villages. Data collection took place from to . Farmers demonstrated a significant increase in crop yields by an average of 15% compared to conventional farming methods, attributed primarily to improved soil structure and moisture retention. CAPs adoption significantly enhanced maize farmers' productivity and sustainability in Eastern Kenya, with substantial yield improvements observed over the study period. Government support for CAPs should be prioritised through subsidies, training programmes, and extension services to promote wider farmer uptake.