CROPMON Final Meeting- Safari Park Hotel 20 th August, 2019 CROPMON Value to Maize Sub-Sector Presentation by; Oswald Miriti (Project Manager- CGA)
Presentation Outline CGA Introduction Agronomic Challenges Facing Maize Production Solutions by CROPMON T estimonies Challenges during Implementation Way forward
Who is CGA? • CGA is a National non-profit member-based farmer organization incorporated in 1996. • Its main purpose is to bring together commercial cereal farmers to promote collective action for the sustained improvement of their farming enterprises and in addressing industry challenges in Kenya. • CGA is in 24 counties working with over 180,000 farmers.
Introduction It has been estimated that global agricultural production will have to increase by 60% or more by 2050. Some projections suggest a particularly high demand for maize over other cereal crops. T o meet this increasing demand, it will require around 2.4% per year increase in yield. The current global yield increase for maize goes as low as 1.6%, well below the rate required. Therefore, productivity need to be more efficient, profitable and sustainable. CROPMON has been working with maize producers (both grain and fodder maize producers). • Registered farmers= 114,030 • CGA is working with grain maize producers while EGF is working with both grain and fodder producers; CGA is also working with wheat producers.
Agronomic Challenges Facing Maize Production Climate change Pests and diseases Poor/degraded soil quality Limited extension services Lack of proper information on input usage
Solutions by CROPMON The introduction of CROPMON services through mobile phone has helped farmers to enjoy better access to information by: Reaching more farmers with timely and accurate (weather, pest & diseases etc) Providing information on the right farming practices aimed at restoring the soil nutrients.
T estimonies ‘’Initially, I have been relying on what other ‘’ I have increased my maize production from elite farmers have been doing. It was my 19 bags (90kgs) to 23 bags per acre. I belief that the top farmers have elaborate planted at the right time because of the weather prediction system, only to discover advice I got and did timely farm activities like they didn’t, I made so many mistakes . topdressing, weeding and spraying among Therefore, my operations (planting and others,’’ Alfred Chemweno from Elgeyo managing farm) was not predictable. With Marakwet he attributes this to CROPMON I have now stopped doing guess CROPMON weather and soil testing. work, I plan my farming activities well. This Services. has made me increase my farm productivity ’’ Christopher Koech (Narok County)
Ferdinand Makhanu a farmer in Bungoma County, has been benefiting from CROPMON information service since January 2018. Prior to CROPMON engagement, Ferdinand has been involved in Maize farming that was not doing well due to inappropriate technologies, pre/post harvesting losses and getting less than 10 bags in his 1.5 acres. After registering into the CROPMON information service, Ferdinand has been able to do proper planning (land preparation, planting, pests and diseases control, harvesting etc.) on the farm. The farmer harvested 34 bags during the 2018 season. The harvest was attributed to regular follow up on weather prediction and crop management advice. With the help of CROPMON service and field supervisor (CGA), Ferdinand is expecting more than 40 bags this season. Weather prediction has also assisted the farmer to manage other non-registered crops in his farm.
Challenges During Implementation • Registering farmers takes a long process due to; impassable roads during rainy seasons, taking polygon for big farms etc. • Some farmers were not willing to give out the necessary information for registration. • Male farmers are majority decisions makers and most were not available during day time to be registered. • Farmers kept on changing farm fields every seasons ( rotation) which required repeat reregistration.
Way Forward • Equipping extension officers, lead farmers with necessary tools and knowledge would contribute greatly to enhancing trust and use of CROPMON technology. • Networking among CROPMON service providers and agricultural service providers. This will bring more players on board, enhance full development and adoption of CROPMON service thus reach more farmers.
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