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A woman applies fertilizer on a maize crop in Kenya.  Fertilizer is expensive in sub-Saharan Africa. Many smallholders farmers can only afford to apply a little fertilizer on their farms. The IMAS project is breeding maize varieties that respond better to the small amounts of fertilizer that farmers apply.  

Photo credit: B. Das/CIMMYT 

http://imas.cimmyt.org

The Innovation in Sustainability, Policy, Adaptation, and Resilience in Kenya (iSPARK) project has published two new reports which present the findings from its research with smallholder farmers in Kisumu County, an area in Western Kenya.

Fertilizer use patterns, adoption drivers, farmer segmentation, and advisory design implications in Kisumu County

This report summarizes baseline findings from a farmer survey conducted to support the development of a targeted fertilizer advisory system. It examines current farm characteristics, soil fertility practices, and the key factors that influence the use of organic and inorganic fertilizers. The analysis also groups farmers into different segments based on their resources and management practices to better understand their needs. The findings highlight differences in how farmers manage soil fertility and show that fertilizer use decisions are influenced by factors such as farm resources and access to inputs. Overall, the report emphasizes the importance of providing tailored fertilizer recommendations to improve soil management and farm productivity.

Understanding agricultural production and farmer livelihoods in Kisumu County

This report presents baseline findings for the iSPARK project in Kisumu County. It examines the socioeconomic and farming conditions of smallholder farmers before project implementation, focusing on crops grown, farming practices, climate-resilient measures, gender roles, and access to advisory and financial services. The findings show that most households rely heavily on agriculture but face risks from climate variability and structural challenges. The study also highlights unequal access to information, inputs, and services, as well as gender inequalities that affect farming decisions and resilience. Overall, the baseline provides evidence to guide tailored advisory services, inform policy, and support climate-resilient agriculture initiatives.

Image credit: CIMYTT.