Knowledge and Practise of Selected Integrated Soil Infertility Management Techniques in Embu West Sub-County

Abstract

Soil fertility reduction due to soil nutrient depletion in Sub-Saharan Africa is a major challenge sustainable development of agriculture. Despite the ability of ISFM to improve soil fertility, less has been done towards assessing the farmers’ characteristics that contribute to practice of ISFM techniques. This research aimed at assessing the relationship that exists between awareness of farmers on ISFM techniques and their practice as well as factors that affect farmers’ knowledge and practice of ISFM. The study was carried out in Kamiu Sub-Location Embu West Sub-County in Embu County, Eastern Kenya. The study design used was survey. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire. Fifty households were sampled using1 systematic random sampling procedure from a target population of 3260 households. The data obtained was coded numerically and descriptive statistics analyzed using SPSS computer software. The analyzed data was summarized using tables. The major sources of agricultural information were found to be: media (54%), government agency (48%), non-governmental organizations (20%), agricultural companies (16%)and other sources such as friends (8%).Group meetings and trainings was most preferred at 52%. Audio visual programs and aid was most preferred by 26%of the farmers while internet and other methods were preferred by 12% and 2%of farmers respectively. Internet was least preferred by (46%).Most farmers were aware of the selected ISFM techniques such as inorganic fertilizer and organic manure at 100%. However, the practice was at 72% for inorganic fertilizer and 98%for organic manure. Cover Cropping, Crop rotation and intercropping had percentages of practice above 70%.Crop rotation, conservation measures such as terracing and use of improved seeds and propagules had the least percentages of practice falling below 66%.The study recommends that dissemination of agricultural information should be done using the most preferred strategy by farmers and training.