A REPORT ON FARMERS STUDY TOUR TO KIBWEZI
Activity Dates: 21st -24th September 2015
P. Riziki and C. Manya
September 2015
1.0 Introduction
Kenya Forestry Research Institute is mandated to conduct research in forestry and allied natural
resources, disseminate research findings and establish partnerships and cooperate with other
research organizations and institutions of higher learning in joint research and training. In this
case KEFRI has been collaborating with KCDP, a project whose mandate is to promote the
livelihood of the coastal people through implementing activities such as; establishment of
commercial woodlots, support community tree nurseries through training and providing nursery
inputs.
The adoption of agro forestry technologies at the region is still low. To enhance adoption,
KEFRI with support from KCDP has been organizing study tour for farmers to interact and learn
from other model farmers who have been implementing forestry and agroforestry technologies to
gain more knowledge on tree farming for environmental conservation for sustainable
development. This contributes to capacity building of the farmers to be model farmers for other
farmers to learn from in their community.
The selection criterion for choosing farmers for the study tour is mainly based on performance
such as farmers with well maintained woodlots and well managed tree nursery groups. This is
done in all the counties along the Coast where the project has implemented its activities and this
include; Taita Taveta, Kwale, Kilifi and Lamu Counties. During this financial year 2015/2016,
30 farmers; (43% men and 57% women were selected to participate in a study tour to Kibwezi in
Makueni County.
2.0 Objectives
The study tour aimed to enable farmers;
1. To learn and obtain new farming techniques from the selected model farmers
2. To exchange farming ideas
3. To learn how forestry and agroforestry technologies contributes to improving the socioeconomic status of a farmer.
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3.0 Team Members
1. Phedister Riziki –Forester/ Team leader, KEFRI
2. Carolyne Manya – Technologist, KEFRI
3. Mercy Mwasaru – Forester, KFS
4. Amos Mbura – Driver, Chumani Secondary School
5. Farmers -30 members
3.1 Facilitators
The following officers were the facilitators during the tour;
1. Pius Matieka-Forester -KEFRI-Kibwezi
2. Joyce Katiku-Technician-KEFRI-Kibwezi
3. Jane Kaliku-Technician-KEFRI-Kibwezi
4. Grace Mbura-Nursery Supervisor
4.0 Visit to Model farms
The farmers visited the following farms;
1. Jonathan Kituku –Melia volkensii farming
2. Jeremiah Ngaya – Bee keeping and Pasture Improvement Programme
3. Joseph Nzau – Mango farming / Agroforestry systems
4. Agnes Ndavi – Dairy farming / Melia volkensii farming
4.1 Jonathan Kituku farm: Agrosilvipastoral farming
The farmer practices agrisilvipastural farming. He has over 17000 stems of Melia volkensii,
grows mangoes for export and does livestock farming. He started practicing agro-forestry in
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2005 with support from KEFRI-Kibwezi. This was motivated by the drought levels of the region
hence low crop production and thus ventured to tree growing especially Melia volkensii which is
a drought tolerant species. KEFRI-Kibwezi offered technical support on the production of
seedlings and establishment of the species.
4.1.1 Socio-economic benefits
In 2008, he started a Melia volkensii tree nursery due to the demand for the seedlings and seeds.
He currently supplies seeds at Ksh. 5000 per Kg and seedlings at Ksh. 50 a seedling. His main
market is; schools, farmers, County government, Governmental and Non Governmental
Organizations.
Other benefits highlighted were;
i.
Sale of Melia volkensii trees, incentives obtained from institution of higher learning,
researcher organizations i.e. Carbon estimation studies and pest effectiveness study.
Figure 1: Farmers observing wood cuttings for Carbon estimation study
ii.
Hay for his livestock and for sale.
iii.
Cereals i.e. green grams intercropped with young trees of Melia volkensii which fix
nitrogen as well thus soil improvement.
iv.
Presidential Award; obtained in the year 2008
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v.
Recognition and partnering with government institutions such as; KEFRI, Kenya
Agricultural and Livestock Research Institute (KALRO) as well as NGO’s, foreign
investors.
vi.
Soil factor; leaves decomposes and add nutrients to the soil.
Mr. Jonathan advised the farmers to collaborate with research organizations which provide
technical support.
Figure 2: Farmers enlightened on preparation of a planting hole
Table 1: Questions from farmers and respective responses
Question
Response
What is the required age for 10 years at spacing of 5.0 x 5.0 m
harvesting Melia volkensii?
When do you harvest seeds? When the tree attains 4 years seed production begins, however the seeds
are viable when the tree is 6 years and above but for high production,
At 6 years, seeds are viable but at low rate
At 10 years and above, viability is high. The tree is mature.
Do
you
do
ground Identify mature seeds and do crown collection. Avoid ground collection
collection
for
Melia as they are vulnerable to disease and insect attack.
volkensii
or
crown
collection?
Which equipment do you Small branches (young age) use secateurs, while big branches use a
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use for pruning?
pruning saw. The pruning saw should be well fixed in a metal or
wooden frame for ease cutting of branches which are above shoulder
height.
When do you plant your Plant during the rainy season.
trees?
Figure 3: Hay at Mr Kituku’s Farm
4.2 Mr. Jeremiah Ngaya’s Farm: ApisilvoPastoral farming
Mr. Ngaya is successful farmer practicing apisilvopastoral farming despite the ecological
condition of the area. He resides at Makindu which receives less than 300mm of rainfall. He
practices bee keeping, keeps livestock and raises fodder crops for sale. Additionally, he is trained
to offer veterinary services. He was introduced and trained on the Pasture improvement
Programme by the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Institute.
The farmers were then taken through different types of grasses and grass seeds. He encouraged
the farmers that grass farming was profitable as grass matures fast and requires less labour. They
were advised that grass seeds should be broadcasted 1-2 weeks before rains for the soil to cover
the seeds for easy germination once it rains. They were advised that production is viable as from
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second seed production .They were warned against grazing the grass as it alters the production of
quality seeds.
Silvipastural farming benefits included;
i.
Source of income from the sale of grass and grass seeds; 1 Kilogram of seeds @ Ksh.
800.00
ii.
Sale of Hay for sale and for his livestock
Figure 4: Farmers having a session with Mr. Ngaya on pasture improvement programme
Apisilvicultural farming
The farmers were taken through the process of preparing and installing a bee hive, and different
type of bees. They had an opportunity to see the Log hive and the Kenya Top bar hives which
were installed on Acacia xanthopholea and Dalbergia melanoxylon trees.
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Figure 5: The Kenya Top bar hive (left) and the Log hive at Mr. Ngaya’s farm (right)
Farmers were advised that hives should be installed in a quiet environment and near flowering
trees from which the bees obtain nectar for honey manufacture. They were also taken through the
process of honey harvesting and the protective clothing required when undertaking the activity.
Table 2: Questions from farmers and respective responses
Question
Answer
Which are the challenges Stings from bees
you face when harvesting
honey?
Snake bites
Stings from spiders which are honey predators
Lack of labour especially when harvesting honey from bee-hives hanged
on tall trees
What action do you take -Smear boiled pollen grains from honey inside the hive ( will serve as an
if the bee hives are not attraction)
being inhabited by bees?
-Cleaning inside of the hive using traditional herbs e.g. Mutta (Kamba)
What is the life span of 3-4 months old
bees?
Materials for preparing Logs
bee hives
Wires
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4.3 Mr. Joseph Nzau’s Farm
He is a successful agroforestry farmer practicing mango farming who does irrigation from River
Athi which divides Makueni and Kitui County. He produces mangoes for export only and
currently he exports at least 300,000 mango fruits to the Middle East and America annually.
He began the mango farming in the year 1997 with support from KEFRI-Kibwezi Sub Centre
which was then introducing agroforestry technologies to local communities in Kibwezi where
farmers were being encouraged to plant fruit trees and intercrop with food crops e.g. pepper,
tomato to improve their livelihoods. He is currently growing one variety of mango; Apple mango
because of the market available.
Figure 6: Mr. Nzau enlightening farmers on Mango farming
He enlightened farmers to consider the following factors when venturing in the Mango farming
as an enterprise;
i.
Plant at the right time
ii.
Identify the market and market requirements. He stressed that market requires quality, so
one should ensure that your fruits are of good quality
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iii.
Know your competitors and at what time they produce. This helps a farmer to know the
market supply demand graph.
iv.
Apply the right pesticides as recommended by the external market. Similarly, know the
right time of application.
v.
Silvicultural practices; know when to prune the branches
Table 3: Questions from farmers
Questions
Answers
Why do you need to prune the Mango To shorten the height; for ease pesticides
branches?
application and control mango fruits damage
when harvesting
To control mango production especially the size
of mango fruit
How is the Mango valued?
According to grades e.g. prices for grade 10
mangoes is different from grade 12 mangoes.
There are special boxes for each grade used to
pack the mangoes.
Where do you get the seedlings from?
-Bought from certified / licensed individuals and
institutions e.g. KEFRI, KALRO etc
-Budding using scions from mother trees with
good qualities. This is done on the farm.
What is the size of the planting hole and the Spacing 8m by 8m; planting hole 2ft by 2 ft.
spacing between the trees?
What is the maturity age of the grafted mango 3 years after planting the mango tree mature and
tree?
starts producing fruits.
At what time do you apply the pesticide?
First identify if there is any disease attack, and
then identify the right pesticide to be applied and
finally proceed with the application.
What is the right time for collecting the scions Two weeks after harvesting This will have left a
for grafting?
room for scion sprouting. Do not collect the
scions during the rainy season, because the cut
parts will be filled with water resulting to rotting.
The farmers were advised to maintain farm hygiene to help control diseases on their farms.
Finally, Mr. Nzau advised farmers to always consult government officers for technical advice
when practicing different farming methods.
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4.4 Mrs. AgnesNdavi’s Farm
She is a successful agrosilvopastural farmer who practices dairy farming, goats and has a
plantation of Melia volkensii. Mrs. Ndavi enlightened the visiting farmers on the need to select
healthy and good quality animals so as to ensure maximum returns in terms of production of
milk and calves. She also emphasized that proper handling and care of the animals was also
necessary. The farmers also learnt how to take care of calves’ immediately after birth and as it
grow. It was explained to them that a young calf should be kept in-house for a period of 1 month
before gradual exposure to sunlight. Full exposure to environmental conditions should be done at
3 months old.
Figure 7: Mrs. Ndavi sharing her farming ideas with the farmers
Table 4: Questions and Answers
Questions
Answers
What is the duration for carrying out After every 3 months
deworming?
When do you administer AI services? Administered at maturity age which is 18 months after birth.
For a lactating cow, administer 3 months after lactation.
Care must be taken to observe the signs and symptoms of the
cow on heat before administering the AI services.
What is the milk production capacity This depends on the feeding programme. If well fed the milk
of dairy cows?
production is as high as 90 liters per day.
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5.0 Melia volkensii seedlings production at KEFRI-Kibwezi nursery
The farmers visited the nursery section to learn about the propagation of Melia seedlings.
Despite its high value, Melia is difficult to propagate. Seedlings production involves a series of
processes which include; depulping, cracking, nipping of the seeds, soaking, slitting and finally
sowing. The germination bed (propagator) is also special made and disinfected with the
recommended fungicides because Melia seeds are prone to fungal attack.
The farmers were taken through the processes as follows;
i.
Remove the outer juicy cover of freshly collected seeds. This is done as soon as the seeds
are collected to avoid rotting.
ii.
Allow the nuts to dry and then crack to get seeds. This can be done manually using a
knife and a wooden hammer or using a nut-cracker machine.
Figure 8: One of the farmers cracking Melia nuts using a nut cracker
iii.
Nip the clean seeds then soak in cold water overnight.
iv.
Finally, slit the seeds gently using a sharp razor blade, after which the seeds are sown in a
propagator filled with sand soil at 1 inch basal area.
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Figure 9 : Farmers taken through the cracking and nipping processes
5.0 Conclusions
The farmers observed and learnt about different farming technologies practiced in the dry lands
of Kibwezi. The study tour therefore was an eye opener to the farmers to improve on their
farming methods, and also consider practicing large scale farming. The fact that Kibwezi is a dry
area unlike most part of the Kenyan Coast, gave a challenge to them to try and manipulate what
they have seen and learn from the model farmers. This will enhance the level of production and
hence the improved livelihood.
The farmers appreciated the KCDP project as it was a great opportunity to learn and gain new
farming technologies.
6.0 Recommendations
Follow up should be done to observe if the technologies learnt, and ideas and advises received
are having impact on the farmers livelihood.
The farmers should be continually supported to visit model farmers to enhance their skills.
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APPENDICES
Appendix 1: List of participants
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