PROJECT ASSESSMENTS - Science for Agriculture and Rural Development in Low-income Countries - page 117

NUTSAL *
Assessment and monitoring of nutrient flows and stocks and development of
appropriate nutrient management strategies for arid and semi-arid areas in Kenya
A) Project setting
The rapid increase in Kenya's population has resulted in rural-urban migration and
out-migration from the high potential to arid and semi-arid areas (ASAL) in search
of new farmlands. The associated introduction of crop production technologies from
high potential areas, including continuous cultivation of favourite crops, has proven
unsuitable as it often results in low yields or complete crop failure, mainly because
of unreliable rainfall, both in quantity and distribution. Moreover, the increased
pressure on land necessitated intensification of land use, often without the necessary
external inputs to sustain its productivity. Since soils in ASAL are fragile and low in
fertility, and because of their sandy texture, susceptible to erosion and leaching,
these developments have led to serious decline in soil fertility status and declining
crop yields.
To address the problems in the ASAL the Kenyan Agricultural Research Institute
(KARI) formulated the project 'Assessment and monitoring of nutrient flows and
stocks to determine appropriate integrated nutrient management strategies for arid and
semi-arid lands in Kenya'. This project was implemented in the period 1998-2003
and Wageningen UR was requested by KARI to participate.
B) Project objectives
The objective of the project was to design, test and implement, demonstrate and
disseminate improved, integrated soil fertility and water management techniques and
improved inorganic fertilizer and organic input recommendations for various land
use zones, soil types, farming systems and farm types in ASAL through participatory
efforts of scientists with all relevant stakeholders.
C) Project activities
The participatory NUTMON-methodology was applied. In the study, three major
phases were distinguished (i) diagnosis and analysis of existing farm and nutrient
management systems, (ii) participatory learning and action research, and (iii) stake-
holder workshops. In the first two phases, six farmer groups, comprising 110
farm households in total, participated intensively in the research activities during the
period 1999-2002. Based on earlier farming system research activities in the area,
* Questionnaire received 2006; Project leader A. De Jager (LEI)