Kenyan maize and beans production is estimated at 2.4 and 0.3 million metric tonnes, against a consumption requirements of about 3.6 and 0.9 million metric tonnes, respectively (World Bank, 2012). A farm profile study conducted in the region revealed that the two crops’ yields are low at 1.2 and 0.5 t ha-1 against the expected 6.0 and 2.3 t ha-1 season-1 for maize and bean, respectively.
...The problems are compounded by low adoption of appropriate farming methods due to lack of appropriate local institutional to foster and promote innovative practices; lack of access to extension services, poor state of transport and other infrastructure ( Nyariki et.al.,2004). It is also attributed to low or too high rainfall coupled with degradation of land ,reduced tree cover and water resources (Nyariki et al.2004;Simpson et al.,1996)
In Kenya, SIMLESA operated in two regions that represent about 39% of the arable land. In eastern Kenya, the Programme covers three counties: Embu, Meru and Tharaka Nithi (intial Counties). Later outscaled to, Meru, Embu, Nyeri and Kitui Counties (NCCK). In western Kenya, two counties are covered, Siaya and Bungoma (initial Counties) and later outscaled to Vihiga and Busia Counties) (Egerton University)
Some of our field experimental sites: