By Grace Wekesa
Farmers will no longer have to till the land to grow crops, thanks to introduction of conservation farming.
Using the new technology, farmers will spray weeds with environmentally friendly chemicals and without the use of jembes.
The Australian Government is funding the project through Kenya Agriculture Research Institute (Kari) in Western and Eastern regions, where yields per acre have considerably increased and cost of production reduced.
John Achieng’ who is implementing the project in Bungoma and Siaya counties said conservation agriculture is also being practiced in Tanzania, Ethiopia, Mozambique and Malawi.
The technology, he said ensures retention of crop residues on the soil surface to protect the soil from erosion.
It will also improve water infiltration and reduce evaporation to enhance soil productivity.
“It is important for all farmers as it boosts soil organic matter and biological activity to enhance long term sustainability,’’ notedAchieng.
He was speaking in Bukembe, Bungoma during a farmers’ field day to exhibit the technology.
Aloise Ndienge, a research technician from International Centre for Insects Physiology Entomology (Icipe) based at Mbita in Nyanza, said the retention of moisture in the soil helps improve yields.
He explained it repels stalk borer and kills striga weed population, which is responsible for low cereal production in Western region. Farmers confirmed they had registered increased maize yield per acre and reduced cost of production as they no longer use tractors and ploughs to prepare their land.
George Ayanga, Deputy Director, Kari Kakamega centre noted the new technology would soon be adopted by farmers in other parts of the country.
The technology has come at a time when scientists are busy developing new maize varieties to adapt to climate change in Sub-Saharan Africa.
In Kenya, scientists are developing maize varieties whose seeds would be sold in local markets in two years.
