Laikipia County

FARM MANAGEMENT HANDBOOK OF KENYA

VOL. II

– Natural Conditions and Farm Management Information –

ANNEX: – Atlas of Agro - Ecological Zones, Soils and Fertilising by Group of Districts

Subpart B1b Northern Rift Valley Province L a i k i p i a County This project was supported by the German Agency for Technical Cooperation (GTZ), since 2011 it is GIZ = Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (German Society of International Cooperation)

Farm Management Handbook of Kenya

VOL. I Labour Requirement, Availability and Costs of Mechanisation

VOL. II Natural Conditions and Farm Management Information

Part II/A WEST KENYA Subpart A1 Western Province Subpart A2 Nyanza Province

Part II/B CENTRAL KENYA Subpart B l a/b Rift Valley Province, Northern (except Turkana) and Southern Part Subpart B2 Central Province

Part II /C EAST KENYA Subpart C1 Eastern Province, Middle and Southern Part Subpart C2 Coast Province

VOL. III Farm Management Information - Annual Publications were planned. The idea changed to Farm Managament Guidelines, produced by the District Agricultural Offices annually and delivered to the Ministry in April

VOL. IV Production Techniques and Economics of Smallholder Livestock Production Systems

VOL. V Horticultural Production Guidelines

Publisher: Ministry of Agriculture, Kenya, in Cooperation with the German Agency for Technical Cooperation (GTZ) VOL. II is supplemented by CD-ROMs with the information and maps in a Geographical Information System. Additionally there will be wall maps of the Agro-Ecological Zones per district group (= the former large districts) for offices and schools.

Vol. II/B Printed by Brookpak Printing & Supplies, Nairobi 2010 Layout by Ruben Kempf, Trier, Germany. FARM MANAGEMENT HANDBOOK OF KENYA VOL. II

Annex: - Atlas of Agro - Ecological Zones, Soils and Fertilising by Group of Districts in Northern Rift Valley -

Subpart B1b Laikipia County

Dr. Ralph Jaetzold Prof. emeritus of Geography, University of Trier / Germany

Helmut Schmidt Former Farm Management Research Officer from the former German Agricultural Team of the GTZ in the Ministry of Agriculture, Nairobi

Dr. Berthold Hornetz Prof. of Agricultural Geography, University of Trier / Germany Dr. Chris Shisanya Prof. of Agroclimatology, Dept. of Geography Kenyatta University, Nairobi Contributions to the 1st Edition by: C.M. Kang´e & J.G.M. Muasya – assessment of farm management data; Dr. Mechthild Kronen – soil requirements list; Prof. Dr. H. Kutsch – computing of crop-water relations for yield probabilities; F.N. Muchena, B.J.A. van der Pouw, W. Siderius and W.G. Sombroek – basic soil maps; H. Ritz – district climate tables; R. Swoboda – execution of Small Farm Survey; C.G. Wenner & S.N. Njoroge – soil conservation; W. Zettelmeyer – computing farm data. Additional Contributions to the 2nd Edition by: Dr. J. Ahenda & P. M. Maluku, KEPHIS; G. Awinyo (GIZ) – as- sisting R. J. & digitizing of soil maps into GIS; Th. Buettel – support by analyzing remote sensing data; M. Fiebiger – rainfall data analysis, probability calculations, yield probabilities by simulation programs; B. Girkens - final computerized drawing of maps in GIS and other maps; Heike Hoeffler – project coordination in GIZ Nairobi; Ph. Karuri – assistance in the Farm Survey; Ruben Kempf – typing and layout; Elizabeth Kimenyi & Anne Njoroge – coordination of farm survey; Z. Mairura, Senior Ass. Dir. of Farm Business Subdivision; S. N. Maobe (KARI); N. M. Maweu (KARI); Susanne Meissner - water availability & requirement diagrams, typing; M. Mueller – calculation and diagrams of growing periods, ENSO influence; Dr. Anne W. Muriuki & J.N. Qureshi – soil and fertiliser recommendation maps and information; Francis Muthami (GIZ); Dr. Dorothy Mutisya and Dr. J Ochieng – crops and fodder list; Birgit Schmidt – basics for maintaining and regaining soil fertility; Joshua Shivachi & Ch. R. Wambongo– analysing the Farm Survey data using SPSS software; M. Teucher - final computerized drawing of soil and fertilizer maps; Dr. Lusike Wasilwa – horticult. part of the crop list; J. Wieczorek – computerization of maps in GIS; tables and diagrams. PREFACE TO THE ATLAS The internet and CD versions of the handbook have technically a reduction of details: The most important information, the maps, are due to reduction of the 24 MB to the CD-size of 6 MB, not well readable (esp. formulas of the AEZ Subzones and of the soils). Therefore we prepared additional Atlas- CDs for each group of districts, containing the maps of Rainfall, Agro - Ecol. Zones and Subzones, Soils, anhd Fertilizer Recommendations together with the legends. These maps are produced as pdf-files and can be zoomed for easy reading.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT for the Support to the First Edition In compiling this Handbook, we have relied on the support of many officers from a variety of institutions too numerous to mention, who made available their data and experience. We would like to thank them for their invaluable assistance. I would also like to thank my colleagues, the Research Officers, the District Land and Farm management Officers, for their cooperation, and a special thank you to those who typed the draft edition. Our particular thanks go to Prof. Dr. Ralph Jaetzold, University of Trier, for his selfless support in compiling this handbook and for his assessment of the natural conditions including land and population. His deep understanding of the needs of agricultural extension officers and farmers was a great asset. Our thanks also to Dr. H. Kutsch, University of Trier, who computerized a large and complex amount of information involved in establishing the AEZs. Many thanks also to the staff of the Geographical Department of the University of Trier, Germany, for their major effort in drawing up maps of outstanding quality, the centrepiece of the work.

Helmut Schmidt Farm Management Research Officer Nairobi, May 1982

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT for the Support to the Second Edition In revising this Handbook, various personalities and institutions were relied upon to provide the necessary data required to update the previous data sets. In this regard, we would like to sincerely thank them for their invaluable input in the exercise. Special thanks go to the Ministry of Agriculture staff who undertook the Farm Surveys to elucidate on the fundamental changes that have taken place in farming at the household level. We are indeed very grateful to the people of Germany, who despite their limited financial resources, have continued to support Kenya. Of importance here is the German Agency for Technical Cooperation (GTZ) and the German scientists who have been working for Kenya over the years. Last but not least, thanks to Mr. Reimund Hoffmann, the PSDA Coordinator, Nairobi, whose office ably managed the Handbook revision project.

Prof. Dr. Chris Shisanya Elizabeth Kimenyi Professor of Agroclimatology Assistant Director of Agriculture Dept. of Geography FMD, MOA Kenyatta University, Nairobi Kenya Nairobi, January 2009 Nairobi, January 2009

We want to thank very much also Mr. Zachariah Mairura, Deputy Dir. of Agri-Business Dep., for his engaged support of our inquiries in the districts 2009 and 2010.

Prof. em. Dr. Ralph Jaetzold Prof. Dr. Berthold Hornetz Retired Professor of Geography Professor of Agricultural Geography University of Trier, October 2010 University of Trier, October 2010 PREFACE to the Second Edition

Institutional memory is of paramount importance for planning and development. For any research or agricultural extension to be successful, information on the natural farming potential is equally important.

In an effort to consolidate research - extension work of many years, the first edition of the Farm Manage- ment Handbook (FMHB) of Kenya Vol II (Natural conditions and farm management information), which described the conditions of the Kenyan farming community at that time, was produced in 1982/83. The handbook was in three parts i.e.:

A – for Western Kenya (Western and Nyanza provinces) B – for Central Kenya (Central and Rift Valley provinces). C – for Eastern Kenya (Eastern and Coast provinces)

For more than two decades, the handbook has proved very valuable to researchers, planners, extensionists, developers etc. This is a document that has been sought for enormously and hence the need to revise it in order to accommodate the changes that have taken place in our country since the production of the first edition. Some of these include: changes in the administrative boundaries, opening up of new farming areas due to population pressure, etc.

This second edition has been produced on the basis of Provincial administrative boundaries for the six Provinces i.e. Western, Nyanza, Rift Valley, Central, Eastern and Coast. The information will be availed in hard copies and in CD – ROMS to facilitate updating any future changes.

It is not possible to acknowledge the contribution of all the individuals who made this edition a reality but I need to mention the following individuals:

Thanks to the Ministry of Agriculture officers, especially the Farm Management Division officers at the headquarters (Mrs. E.W. Kimenyi, Mr. F.N. Nderitu, Mrs. H.W. Njoroge, Mrs. A.W. Njoroge, Mrs. A. W. Wanyama, Mr. P.T. Karuri and most engaged Mr. Z. Mairura), and the District staff, for their selfless contribution; Prof. Dr. Chris Shisanya, leader of the revision team, for his tireless efforts and guidance; Prof. em. Dr. Ralph Jaetzold for his enormous knowledge on the definition of the agroecological zones and his great contribution to their mapping; George Awinyo (German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) – Private Sector Development in Agriculture (PSDA)) for his expertise and contribution in the area of Geographical Information Systems (GIS).

I also wish to thank the GTZ who have facilitated the production of this edition both financially and by the use of their personnel, specifically the late Prof. Werner van der Ohe who supported the idea of the revision, and Mr. Reimund Hoffmann (GTZ – Team Leader Private Sector Development in Agriculture PSDA), for supporting and taking up the task to completion.

Dr. Wilson Songa, OGW AGRICULTURAL SECRETARY Nairobi, January 2009

LAIKIPIA GROUP 1

4.7 LAIKIPIA GROUP OF DISTRICTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS District Page

4.7.1 Natural Potential (R. Jaetzold et al.) 3 Introduction (R. J.) 3 Table 1: Rainfall Figures 4 Table 2: Temperature 5 Annual Rainfall Map (R. J.) 6 Seasonal Rainfall Maps (R. J.) 7 Table 3: Climate in the Agro-Ecological-Zones 9 Agro-Humid Periods Map (R.J.) 10 Agro-Ecological Zones Map (R. J.) 11 Agro-Ecological Zones and Subzones - Introduction (R. J.) 12 Agro-Ecological Zones and Subzones (= Legend to the AEZ Map), with Land Use Potentials and Water Availability & Requirement Diagrams (R. J. & B. Hornetz) 12 Soil Map (R. Jaetzold & KSS) 19 Soil Distribution, Fertility and Major Characteristics (B. Hornetz & W. Siderius) 20 Legend to the Soil Map (R. Jaetzold & KSS) 20

4.7.2 Population and Land (C. A. Shisanya, R. Jaetzold & Central Bureau of Statistics) see the big Vol. B1b 4.7.3 Agricultural Statistics (R. Jaetzold & Min. of Agriculture.) see the big Vol. B1b

4.7.4 Farm Survey (Min. of Agriculture Chr. Shisanya) 24 Table 20: Farm Survey Sites Representative of the Dominating Agro-Ecological Subzones and Units 25 Farm Survey Areas Map (R. Jaetzold) 26

4.7.5 Introduction to the Actual Land Use Systems and to the Potential Intensification by Better Farm Management in Dominating Agro-Ecological Subzones (C. A. Shisanya & R. Jaetzold) 27 Laikipia West (Rumuruti) District LH 3 (l/vl) of the Wheat/Maize-Barley Zone 27 Table 23: Increase of Yields by Better Farm Management 28 Laikipia East District LH 4 (m/s) i + (vs/s) of the Livestock-Barley Zone 29 Table 24: Increase of Yields by Better Farm Management 30

4.7.6 Fertiliser and Manure Recommendations for Important Agro-Ecological Units Introduction (B. Hornetz) 31 Map of Important Agro-Ecological Units and Fertil. Recommendations (R. Jaetzold) 32 Table 25 a-d: Fertiliser and Manure Recommendations (B. Hornetz) 33 Map of Fertiliser Recommendations 34 LAIKIPIA GROUP 2

Table 26: Fertilizer Rates Recommended in the Farm Management Guidelines of Nyahururu District 41

4.7.7 Final Statements (R. Jaetzold) 42 Table 27a: Nutrient Contents in Fertilizers and Foliar Feeds 42 Table 27b: Prices of Organic Manure in Nyahururu District 43 LAIKIPIA GROUP 3

4.7.1 NATURAL POTENTIAL

Introduction

The Laikipia Group of Districts extends from the north-eastern foot of the Nyandarua Range to the western foot of Mt. Kenya. It consists mainly of an elevated plateau covered by volcanic ashes. This plain, situated at an altitude of 1800 - 2000m, is the Laikipia Plateau, a semi-arid grassland, formerly inhabited by a Maasai subtribe, and in the bordering mountains by Wandorobo (a relict group of these forest people is still living around Don Dol). Even before the Maasai came, the plateau was not cultivated because of unfavourable rainfall. The Lower Highland and Upper Midland Ranching Zones LH 5 and UM 6 are dominant.

The annual average rainfall on the plateau is fairly high with about 600-850 mm, but it is too unreliable and too scattered during the year. In the western and central part it is divided into three seasons (see Diagram Rumuruti p.12): First rains in April -May have a 66% reliability of about 100 mm only (normally 10 out of 15 years get at least that amount), the middle rains in June -July expect more than 120 mm, and the third rains in October-November more than 60 mm. This is not enough for each season, but with water conservation techniques, a certain amount of water from the first period could be saved for the next one (“dry farming”). Areas with good potential for that are situated in LH 4-5. In the Upper Midlands Livestock-Sorghum Zone UM 5 this method would also increase the chances for cropping. People need some cultivation possibilities now, as many have moved in recently, buying ranches cooperatively or just as squatters. High altitude (cold-tolerant) sorghum is one possibility. It could be extended to LH 5 because the altitude boundaries are not very pronounced here and global warming will lift them up. On the other hand, a more suitable grain crop like Amaranth or Quinoa from the Altiplano in Bolivia and Peru would probably give much safer results than sorghum or barley. The eastern part gets two rainy seasons as usual in Eastern Kenya.

There are only two better areas, a small strip uphill beyond Nanyuki, and the top of the Laikipia Escarpment which borders the Rift Valley north of Nyahururu. This is a complex of ridges at an altitude of 2000 to 2600m, where wheat and barley are possible, and to a certain extent maize. For coffee it is either too cold, or in lower areas too dry, although planted coffee trees may survive and yield low amounts. For tea, the same conditions apply at a higher altitude level, i.e. there is no real chance for it. The forests occurring there are not rainforests but partly sclerophytic. They contain valuable timber and have been partly changed to quicker producing pine plantations by the Forest Department. Because of this timber production and the sloping topography, it is not tolerable to clear the forests for cultivation, although they are situated mainly in the AEZ UH 2. Melioration of the swamps and additional irrigation is another possibility for maize, pulses, vegetables and root crops now investigated by scientists and started by many small farmers in the Ewaso Nyiro Swamp near Rumuruti. The main Laikipia Plateau is an area best suited for large-scale ranching generally. LAIKIPIA GROUP 4

TABLE 1: RAINFALL FIGURES FROM SELECTED TYPICAL STATIONS IN LAIKIPIA GROUP OF DISTRICTS HAVING RECENTLY AT LEAST 15 YEARS OF RECORDS

Monthly & seasonal average rainfall in mm No. and Agro-Ecol. Annual altitude Name of station Zone and rainfall Subzone mm J F M A M J J A S O N D

8936001 Rumuruti D.O.’s 22 25 48 98 67 49 89 88 39 45 81 33 LH 5 683 1850 m Office tr = 262 = 216 = 159

8936006 Sosian Limited, 28 15 35 95 79 35 61 61 21 36 62 29 UM 6 556 1930 m Rumuruti tr = 244 = 143 = 127

8936014 Mutara Estate 28 28 59 104 48 41 75 76 39 48 81 41 LH 5 667 1828 m Manager’s House tr = 252 = 190 = 170

8936015 Thomson’s Falls 33 38 54 116 85 85 133 153 63 46 78 67 UH 2 951 2400 m K.C.C. LTD. vl/l = 71 = 340 = 349 = 191

8936022 Ol-Joro-Orok 27 38 58 118 94 99 144 166 81 39 73 60 UH 2 998 2350 m Complex Unit vl/l = 65 = 369 = 391 = 172

8936023 South Marmanet 33 41 62 124 88 95 140 168 65 47 79 74 UH 2 1015 2320 m Forest Station vl/l = 74 = 369 = 373 = 200

8936045 Nanyuki Segera 16 24 55 128 85 40 53 71 45 64 78 36 UM 5 694 1790 m Plantation Farm (fs^vs) i = 308 = 169 = 178

8936059 Mukenya Ranch 16 17 38 115 66 31 51 64 26 58 74 35 UM 5 591 1860 m LTD. (vs/s)^(vs) i = 250 = 141 = 167

8936060 Colcheccio LTD., 10 8 21 77 65 33 44 58 23 23 61 43 UM 6 466 1800 m Laikipia tr = 196 = 125 = 127

8936064 Rumuruti, Ministry 27 31 51 110 66 55 88 86 44 49 73 31 UM 5 711 1768 m of Works (vs/s)^(vs) i = 58 = 282 = 218 = 153

8936065 Ewaso Narok Nyiro 14 13 29 74 66 32 40 40 13 37 51 21 UM 6 430 1678 m Junction tr = 201 = 93 = 109

8936066 Ol Pejeta Ranch 45 41 84 129 59 34 50 53 41 61 94 43 UM 5 734 1830 m LTD., Kamok (fs^vs) i = 86 = 306 = 144 = 198

8936068 T/Falls Farmers 34 57 58 144 134 127 162 194 82 56 87 37 UH 2 1172 2350 m Training Centre vl/l = 91 = 463 = 438 = 180

Nanyuki 20 26 58 117 82 42 54 67 63 79 94 43 8937022 Meteorological LH 5 745 1947 m Station tr = 299 = 184 = 216

8937033 Don Dol 22 20 62 101 40 22 27 24 10 44 122 60 UM 6 556 1830 m Agricultural Stn. br = 225 = 61 = 226

8937048 Olpoto Farm 14 14 37 121 95 59 53 81 45 76 60 21 UM 5 676 1800 m Nanyuki (vs/s) i (vs) i = 312 = 179 = 157

8937061 Anadunguru Forest 103 22 48 102 40 10 22 23 26 77 159 61 LH 5 693 1845 m Post br = 125 = 200 = 71 = 297 LAIKIPIA GROUP 5

TABLE 1: CONTINUATION

Monthly & seasonal average rainfall in mm No. and Agro-Ecol. Annual altitude Name of station Zone and rainfall Subzone mm J F M A M J J A S O N D

8937067 Nanyuki District 18 41 64 115 89 46 52 53 48 78 93 33 LH 4 730 1980 m Agricultural Office (m/s) i vs/s = 59 = 314 = 153 = 204

8937075 22 28 65 125 94 39 49 59 48 85 100 45 Nanyuki M.O.W. LH 4 758 1982 m (m/s) i vs/s = 50 = 323 = 156 = 230

9036099 Ngobit Suguroi 35 32 58 103 47 51 75 82 41 46 82 61 LH 4 – 5 712 2030 m Estate t r = 67 = 259 = 198 = 189

9036237 Ngobit Eserain 42 44 79 122 54 65 67 67 42 49 103 75 LH 4 806 2073 m Farm (s/m)+(vs/s) = 86 = 320 = 176 = 227

9036260 UM 5 49 56 85 117 39 26 38 35 21 63 113 66 Lamuria M.O.W. 708 1860 m (fs) i (vs) = 105 = 267 = 94 = 242

9036300 Ngobit Police 37 40 65 111 45 29 53 61 27 44 95 54 LH 5 659 1982 m Office tr = 77 = 250 = 141 = 193

TABLE 2: TEMPERATURE DATA 1)

No. and Name of Kind of Temperature in °C Belt AEZ 1) 2) altitude Station records J F M A M J J A S O N D Yr. limits

Mean max. UM 5 89 36 064 Rumuruti upper Mean temp. 1768m M.O.W. Not received from part Mean min. M.O.W. (today Water Dev.) Abs. min. Mean max. 25.9 27.4 27.4 25.4 24.7 24.5 23.8 24.4 25.6 24.8 23.4 24.5 25.2 Nanyuki LH 4 2430m 89 37 022 Mean temp. 17.8 18.4 19.1 18.5 18.0 17.4 17.0 17.4 17.8 17.9 17.5 17.3 17.9 Meteorol. lower LH 1947m Mean min. 9.6 9.4 10.7 11.6 11.3 10.3 10.2 10.4 9.9 10.9 11.5 10.1 10.5 Station part 1930m Abs. min. 3.7 4.5 6.6 5.6 6.1 4.9 6.2 6.1 6.2 4.9 6.3 4.4 3.7

1) Of the last 11 years until 2008. 2) Situation around 2008. Global warming will lift up the belts about 350m until 2050. LAIKIPIA GROUP 6 LAIKIPIA GROUP 7 LAIKIPIA GROUP 8 LAIKIPIA GROUP 9

TABLE 3: CLIMATE IN THE AGRO-ECOLOGICAL ZONES

66% reliability of 60% reliability of growing rainfall 1) period Annual Annual av. 1st Middle 1st rains2) Middle Total 3) Agro-Ecological Subzone Altitude mean rainfall rains and rains Zone in m temp. in mm 2nd and in °C rainy 2nd r.s. season in mm in mm in days in days in days UH 2 vl i or two Very small, see Nyandarua Group of Districts Wheat-Pyrethrum Zone vl/l or two 2 330-2 650 12.5-14.9 1 000-1 200 300-400 300-450 100 or more 135-190 235-290 UH 3 l/vl Wheat-Barley Very small, see Nyandarua Group of Districts (l) i (s/vs) Zone LH 2 Wheat/Maize- (vl) i or two Very small, mainly Forest Reserve Pyrethrum Zone LH 3 (vl/l) i or two 2 200-2 350 15.0-15.8 900-1 000 300-350 250-300 90-100 140-180 230-280 Wheat/(Maize) (l/vl) 2 100-2 300 15.0-16.2 850-950 300-350 230-280 80-90 130-140 210-230 Barley Zone (l) 850-900 250-300 200-250 60-80 120-130 180-210 LH 4 f (m) i (vs/s) Very small, see Meru Group of Districts Cattle-Sheep- (s/m) i (vs/s) 1 890-2 330 15.0-17.9 700-800 210-250 110-150 100-110 60-70 160-180 Barley Zone i (s/m) +(vs/s) 790-880 180-230 150-180 100-110 60-704) - (vs^s) + (vs) 730-850 200-280 200-250 50-60 80-100 - LH 5 t r 580-800 100-200 100-200 30-50 40-50 - Lower Highland b r i 1 800-2 140 15.6-17.9 680-780 150-200 100-200 40-50 40-50 - Ranching Zone b r 570-700 100-150 100-150 40-50 30-50 - (fs^vs) i UM 5 600-700 150-200 50-100 70-110 50-60 120-190 (vs/s) i (vs) i Livestock-Sorghum 1 760-1 830 18.0-18.5 590-680 150-200 50-100 60-70 50-60 120-130 (s/vs or vs/s) Zone 590-670 150-200 60-80 60-80 60-70 - + (vs/s) UM 6 t r 1 660-1 780 18.0-18.7 430-620 100-150 50-100 20-40 30-50 - Upper Midland b r 1 300-1 800 18.0-21.0 380-600 100-150 50-100 30-40 30-40 - Ranching Zone LM 6 Lower Midland b r 1 200-1 300 21.0-21.6 400-500 80-120 20-50 20-30 30-40 - Ranching Zone

1) Amounts surpassed normally in 10 out of 15 years, falling during the agro-humid period which allows growing of most cultivated plants. 2) More if growing cycle of cultivated plants continues into the period of middle rains. 3) Only added if agro-humid conditions continue from 1st to middle rains (in the western and central parts of the district group, except in ranching areas). LAIKIPIA GROUP 10 LAIKIPIA GROUP 11 LAIKIPIA GROUP 12

AGRO-ECOLOGICAL ZONES AND SUBZONES - Introduction

The yield potentials are calculated for the important annual crops with the programs WATBALand MARCROP by B. Hornetz (see chapter 3.1 and Annex). The other crops are classified by estimates according to their temperature and water requirements. Not all suitable crops could be mentioned here because of limited space. More crops and the most suited varieties can be found in the crop list (Table X) and in IRACC: Small Holder Farming Handbook for Self Employment, Nairobi 1997, when comparing both sources with the climatic data of the AEZ and Subzones (Table 2) as well as considering the soil requirements (Table IV) and the soil map. The potentials require optimal fertilising and manuring as well as good crop husbandry to reach the given percentages. Recommended for checking in Table X are the following crops resp. varieties which have not been mentioned in the potentials: Many maize varieties, most of them commercial ones; more vegetables like french beans, spinach, beetroot, turnips and the root crop cocoyams; more fruits like grapefruit, mandarines, limes, lemons and tangerines. For fodder and forage many other plants than the mentioned ones are classified by Agro-Ecological Zones in Table XI.

By global warming the Upper Midlands zonal belt is increasing. The Rumuruti Town which was LH 5 in 1980 is already included. The night temperatures are still fairly low due to the cold air accumulating under the clear sky on the grassland plains but the day temperatures increased. Therefore the cultivation of beans, cowpeas and sorghum becomes possible. Sorghum, which has the ability for dormance during dry conditions, may be planted in first rains and survives into the better middle rains.

It must be kept in mind that the potentials are ecological zone based. What is economical depends on the present relation of costs-yield-prices and the marketing possibilities, of course.

AGRO-ECOLOGICAL ZONES AND SUBZONES (Legend to the Map)

UH = UPPER HIGHLAND ZONES UH 2 = Wheat-Pyrethrum Zone UH 2 = Wheat-Pyrethrum Zone vl i with a very long cropping season followed by intermediate rains, or two dividable in two variable cropping seasons and i.r. Here Forest Reserve with large timber plantations. Agricultural potential see Nyandarua Group of Districts

UH 2 = Pyrethrum-Wheat Zone vl/l with a very long to long cropping season, or two dividable in two variable cropping seasons (See Diagram Nyahururu) Good yield potential 1st rains (to middle rains), start norm. end of March: M. mat. wheat1)2), late mat. wheat like Kenya Bongo1), triticale, m. mat. barley; peas1), horse beans (below 2 750 m), rapeseed; potatoes 1)3) ; carrots, cabbages, celery, endive, rampion, leek, radish, kohlrabi, kales Middle rains, start indistinctly around July: Potatoes;carrots, celery, endive, rampion, leek, radish, kales Whole year: Pyrethrum Fair yield potential 1st rains (to middle rains): High altitude maize on frost free places Middle rains: Peas, rapeseed; cabbages, kohlrabi Whole year: Pears, plums, apples < 2 600 m LAIKIPIA GROUP 13

Pasture and forage Suitable for Merino sheep and grade dairy cows; around 1.2 ha/LU on sec. pasture of Kikuyu and tufted grass4); perennial rye grass for improving pasture on suitable soils (except near wheat fields) a. o. plants, see Table XI

UH 3 = Wheat-Barley Zone UH 3 = Wheat-Barley Zone (l/vl) with a (weak) long to very long cropping season Very small, potential see Nyandarua Group of Districts

UH 3 = Wheat-Barley Zone (l) i with a (weak) long cropping season, intermediate rains, (s/vs) and a (weak) short to very short one Very small, potential see Nyandarua Group of Districts

LH = LOWER HIGHLAND ZONES LH 2 = Wheat/Maize-Pyrethrum Zone Very small, mainly Forest Reserve

LH 3 = Wheat/Maize-Barley Zone LH 3 = Wheat/Maize-Barley Zone (vl/l) i with a (weak) very long to long cropping season and intermediate rains, or two dividable in two variable cropping seasons and i.r. LAIKIPIA GROUP 14

Good yield potential 1st rainy season (to middle r.), start norm. end of March: Med. mat. wheat or e. mat. wheat (Apr./May-S./O.), late mat. like Kenya Bongo (Apr./May-O./D.), on deep soils late mat. maize (e. of Mch./Apr.-O./N.), m. mat. barley, peas; linseed, late mat. sunflower; cabbages Middle rains, start indistinctly end of June: M. mat wheat (June-D.); rapeseed (end of June-O.); cabbages 2nd rainy season, start norm. mid O.: Too unreliable Whole year: Black wattle Fair yield potential 1st rains: Potatoes; rapeseed;kales, cauliflower, carrots, beetroot Middle rains: Tomatoes, kales, beetroot, beans in lower places Whole year: Avocadoes in lower places Pasture and forage Around 1.2 ha/LU on sec. grassland (former Cedar forest), ~ 0.7ha/LU on art. past. of Nandi Setaria or Rhodes grass; suitable for grade dairy cows and grade cattle, forages see Table XI

LH 3 = Wheat/Maize-Barley Zone (l/vl) with a (weak) long to very long cropping season Good yield potential 1st rainy season, start norm. b. of April: Late mat. wheat like Kenya Bongo, m. mat. barley; potatoes Fair yield potential 1st rains: Late mat. maize; peas; rapeseed, linseed or flax, late mat. sunflower; cabbage, kales, carrots, cauliflower, beetroot Middle rains, start indistinctly end of June/Jy.: E. mat. wheat, e. mat. barley; beans (lower places); rapeseed; potatoes; tomatoes, kales, beetroot, cabbage Whole year: Black wattle Pasture and forage Good for grade beef cattle and Merino sheep. Around 1.5 ha/LU or more on nat. grassland; 0.7-1.2 ha/LU on art. pasture of Nandi Setaria; barley B 106 for stockfeed (other forage see Table XI)

LH 4 = Cattle-Sheep-Barley Zone LH 4 = Cattle-Sheep-Barley Zone (l) with a (weak) long cropping season Fair yield potential 1st rains, start norm. end of March: M. mat. barley (other crops mostly marginal) Pasture and forage More than 2 ha/LU on nat. pasture of short grass highland savanna; down to about 1 ha/ LU on art. pasture of Rhodes grass (var. Elmba most recommended); suited for grade cattle; subterr. clover and m. mat. fodder barley as add. forage (and 7 others, see Table XI) LH 4 = Cattle-Sheep-Barley Zone with (m/s) i + a fully (weak) medium to short cropping season, intermediate rains, (vs/s) and a (weak) very short to short one Very small, potential see Meru group of districts

LH 4 = Cattle-Sheep-Barley Zone with (s/m) i a (weak) short to medium cropping season, intermediate rains, (vs/s) and a (weak) very short to short one Fair yield potential 1st rainy season (to middle rains), start norm. b. of April: E. mat. fodder barley Poor yield potential 1st rainy season (to middle rains): E. mat. wheat; green onions 2nd rainy season, start norm. end of O.: V. e. mat. barley LAIKIPIA GROUP 15

Pasture and forage 3-5 ha/LU on nat. grassland5), subterr. clover and others (Table XI) as add. forage

LH 4 = Cattle-Sheep-Barley Zone i (s/m) + with intermediate rains, a (weak) short to medium cropping season (vs/s) and a (weak) very short to short one Fair yield potential Nearly the same as above but middle rains and planting start norm. end of June

LH 4 = Cattle-Sheep-Barley Zone (vs^s) with a (weak) very short cropping season, followed by a (weak) short one, + (vs) and a (weak) very short one Fair yield potential Middle rains, start norm. end of June: Early mat. barley, e. mat. maize Poor yield potential 1st rains, start norm. m. March: V. e. mat. barley; green onions, rapeseed leaves as vegetables (1st to middle rains) 2nd rainy season (resp. 3rd r.), start norm. end of O.: V. e. mat. barley Pasture and forage 3-5 ha/LU on nat. grassland6); subterr. clover as add. forage (a.o. see Table XI)

LH 5 = Lower Highland Ranching Zone LH 5 = Lower Highland Ranching Zone with t r trimodal rainfall LAIKIPIA GROUP 16

Not suitable for rainfed agriculture except in wetter parts (see Diagram Ngobit, Suguroi Estate) for early or very early mat. crops like barley cultivated with dry farming techniques: Water from first rains should be stored by contour ploughing resp. harrowing and stubble mulching for middle rains (June-August); the same method could be used for a cultivation in the 2nd rainy season (Oct.-D.), but for cultivation in following first rains this technique gives probably no success because the dry season in Jan. and F. is too severe. Pasture and forage More than 4.5 ha/LU on short grass highland savanna6);no proper forage up to now

LH 5 = Lower Highland Ranching Zone b r i with bimodal rainfall and intermediate rains Grazing potential almost the same as in LH 5 t r but the rains are so weak that there is no cultivation at all possible LH 5 = Lower Highland Ranching Zone b r with bimodal rainfall Middle rains are disappearing in the very eastern part of the district group. Potential for agriculture is very poor, the two agro-humid periods are very short. Pasture and forage are in lower places almost the same as in UM 5 (vs/s) + (vs/s) but stocking rates about 4 ha/LU

UM = UPPER MIDLAND ZONES UM 5 = Livestock-Sorghum Zone UM 5 = Livestock-Sorghum Zone (m/l) i with a (weak) medium to long cropping season and intermediate rains Small and unimportant LAIKIPIA GROUP 17

UM 5 = Livestock-Sorghum Zone (fs ^ with a fully (weak) short cropping season, vs) i followed by a (weak) very short one and intermediate rains See Diagram Segera Ltd. Fair yield potential 1st rains (to middle rains), start norm. end of March: High alt. dwarf sorghum like Legio (end of March-b. of July), high alt. sorghum like KARIA SH2 (end of March-mid S.); dwarf sunflower like KS-H 4038(end of March-end of June) Whole year: Sisal Some marginal crops with poor yield potential 1st to middle rains: E. mat. maize, e. mat. beans Pasture and forage More than 3.8 ha/LU on short grass savanna; with green fodder sorghum as add. forage and planted salt bushes (Atriplex nummularia) much higher stocking rate; suitable for grade cattle

UM 5 = Livestock-Sorghum Zone (vs/s) i with a (weak) very short to short cropping season and intermediate rains, (vs) i followed by a (weak) very short one and intermediate rains Fair yield potential 1st rains, start normally b. of April: High alt. dwarf sorghum like Legio (b. of Apr.-b. of July) Some marginal crops with poor yield potential High alt. sorghum (b. of Apr.-mid S.), e. mat. beans Whole year: Sisal (nearly 40 %) Pasture and forage More than 4 ha/LU on short grass savanna; with planted saltbushes somewhat higher stocking rate and more fodder reserves in dry years. Opuntia var. without prickles (also as vegetable and fruit ) LAIKIPIA GROUP 18

UM 5 = Livestock-Sorghum Zone (vs/s) with a (weak) very short to short cropping season + (vs/s) and a (weak) very short to short one Fair yield potential 1st rainy season, start norm. e. of March/b. of April: V. e. mat. sorghum IS 8595, v. e. mat. Katheka beans 1, French beans; Tepary beans (below 1 700m) 2nd rainy season, start norm, end of O.: The same crops Whole year: Sisal Pasture and forage More than 3.5 ha/LU on short grass savanna; with planted saltbushes somewhat higher stocking rate and more fodder reserves in dry years. Opuntia var. without prickles would thrive well; other forage see Table XI

UM 6 = Upper Midlands Ranching Zone UM 6 = Upper Midlands Ranching Zone tr with trimodal rainfall Not suited for rainfed agriculture Pasture and forage More than 4.8 ha/LU on short grass thornbush savanna; with planted salt bushes somewhat higher stocking rate and more fodder reserves in dry years

UM 6 = Upper Midlands Ranching Zone b r with bimodal rainfall Nearly the same as UM 6 t r but more than 5 ha/LU6)

LM = LOWER MIDLAND ZONES LM 6 = Lower Midland Ranching Zone LM 6 = Lower Midland Ranching Zone b r with bimodal rainfall Nearly the same as UM 6 b r but less stocking due to smaller rainfall and higher evaporation

1) Sometimes frost damage, local micro-relief important (lakes of cold air) 2) Med. mat. varieties fit better in the moisture supply than late mat. ones 3) Blight resistant varieties important 4) The bad tufted grasses Eleusine jaegeri and Pennisetum schimperi are expanding if the area is overgrazed 5) Bushland >6 ha/LU 6) On degraded and eroded pasture even more than 10 ha/LU LAIKIPIA GROUP 19 LAIKIPIA GROUP 20

SOIL DISTRIBUTION, FERTILITY AND MAJOR CHARACTERISTICS

The topographical situation of the Laikipia district group is dominated by Mt. Kenya in the southeast and the Aberdare Range in the southwest. The northern part of the district group is occupied by extensive plateaus and high-level structural plains. Some parts of the Ewaso Narok River are taken up by swamps or dissected erosional plains in the north. On the mountains, moderate to highly fertile soils occur (unit MV5). In the east of the district group, hills and minor scarps are covered by soil units HB1 and HV2. Soils of these units are of moderate to high fertility (HB1) or of variable fertility (HV2). The extensive soil units in the northern and north western parts are LB9, LB3, LB12 and LB13 which occur on plateaus and high-level structural plains. They are of high fertility. On plateaus all over the district group, soils of units LB11, LB6, LB7 and LB4 are found which are in general of moderate to high fertility. Volcanic footridges occupy the western, south western and some eastern regions of the district group, where the soils of units LB5, RB3 and RB5 are of moderate to high fertility. Soils which are developed on uplands can be found in the northeastern part of the district group (UU2, UUc1, PnU1, HU2). These soils are variable in fertility but most of them are of low to moderate fertility. Variably fertile soils occur along the Ewaso Narok River, and on lower landscape, soils of bottomlands (units BU1 and S1) of low fertility can be found.

LEGEND TO THE SOIL MAP OF LAIKIPIA GROUP OF DISTRICTS

1 Explanation of first character physiography( )

M Mountains and Major Scarps H Hills and Minor Scarps Hs Step-Faulted Scarps of the Rift Valley L Plateaus and High-Level Structural Plains Ls Step-Faulted Floor of the Rift Valley R Volcanic Footridges F Footslopes U Uplands, Upper, Middle and Lower Levels Pn Non-Dissected Erosional Plains Pd Dissected Erosional Plains S Swamps V Minor Valleys

2 Explanation of second character (lithology):

B Basic and Ultra-Basic Igneous Rocks (basalts, nepheline phonolites; older basic tuffs included) U Undifferentiated Basement System Rocks (predominantly Gneisses) V Undifferentiated or Various Igneous Rocks LAIKIPIA GROUP 21

3 Soil descriptions

MV5 Well drained, shallow to moderately deep, dark reddish brown to dark brown, friable, rocky and bouldery, clay loam to clay; in places with a humic topsoil: nito-chromic CAMBISOLS; with haplic PHAEOZEMS, lithic phase, LITHOSOLS, eutric REGOSOLS and Rock Outcrops

HB 1 Well drained, shallow, dark reddish brown, friable, rocky and stony, clay loam: chromic CAMBISOLS, lithic phase; with Rock Outcrops

HU 2 Somewhat excessively drained, shallow, reddish brown, friable, rocky or stony, sandy clay loam: eutric REGOSOLS, lithic phase; with Rock Outcrops and calcic CAMBISOLS

HsV 1 Well drained, shallow, dark reddish brown, friable, strongly calcareous, rocky or stony, clay loam; in many places saline: LITHOSOLS; with Rock Outcrops and XEROSOLS, lithic, bouldery and saline phase

LB 3 Well drained, moderately deep to deep, dark brown, friable to firm, clay loam to clay, predominantly with a thick humic topsoil: ortho-luvic PHAEOZEMS; with chromic LUVISOLS

LB 4 Well drained to moderately well drained, deep, very dark greyish brown, firm, cracking clay, with a (thick) humic topsoil: verto-luvic PHAEOZEMS

LB 5 Moderately well drained, very deep, dark greyish brown, firm clay, predominantly with a humic topsoil; in places abruptly underlying a firm topsoil of sandy clay loam to sandy clay: verto-luvic PHAEOZEMS; with eutric PLANOSOLS

LB 6 Imperfectly drained, deep, black to dark grey, very firm, cracking clay: pellic VERTISOLS and verto-luvic PHAEOZEMS

LB 7 Imperfectly drained, deep, dark greyish brown, firm clay (hardpan), abruptly underlying a topsoil of sandy clay loam: eutric PLANOSOLS

LB 9 Well drained, shallow to moderately deep, reddish brown, firm clay loam, with a humic topsoil: chromo-luvic PHAEOZEMS, partly lithic phase

LB 11 Imperfectly drained, deep, very dark greyish brown, very firm, cracking clay: chromic VERTISOLS

LB 12 Well drained, deep, red, friable to firm clay: nito-chromic/ferric LUVISOLS

LB 13 Well drained, moderately deep to deep, dark reddish brown to red, friable sandy clay to clay; in places shallow to moderately deep: chromic and ferric LUVISOLS; with LITHOSOLS LAIKIPIA GROUP 22

LBA Association of: soils of unit LB4: verto-luvic PHAEOZEMS and: soils of unit LB13: chromic and ferric LUVISOLS; with LITHOSOLS

LsB1 Well drained, moderately deep, dark reddish brown to reddish brown, friable to firm and slightly smeary, bouldery and stony, clay loam to clay; in places calcareous: ando-chromic CAMBISOLS, bouldery phase; with calcic XEROSOLS

RB3 Well drained, extremely deep, dusky red to dark reddish brown, friable clay; with inclusions of well drained, moderately deep, dark red to dark reddish brown, friable clay over rock, pisoferric or petroferric material: eutric NITISOLS; with nito-chromic CAMBISOLS and chromic ACRISOLS, partly lithic, pisoferric or petroferric phase

RB5 Well drained, moderately deep to deep, dark reddish brown, friable to firm clay, with a humic topsoil: chromo-luvic PHAEOZEMS

FU1 Well drained, very deep, yellowish red to dark reddish brown, loose, loamy coarse sand to friable sandy clay loam: chromic LUVISOLS, rhodic FERRALSOLS and luvic to ferralic ARENOSOLS

UU2 Well drained, shallow to moderately deep, strong brown to brown, firm, gravelly to stony, sandy clay to clay loam, over soft rock: orthic LUVISOLS, partly paralithic phase

UUC1 Complex of: well drained, shallow to deep, red to dark red, friable to firm, sandy clay loam to sandy clay; in places rocky: chromic and ferralo-chromic LUVISOLS; with chromic CAMBISOLS, lithic phase and Rock Outcrops

PnB1 Well drained, shallow, very dark reddish brown, friable, slightly calcareous, stony and bouldery, clay loam to clay: chromic CAMBISOLS, lithic and bouldery phase

PnU1 Well drained, moderately deep to deep, dark red to strong brown, friable to firm, sandy clay loam to clay: ferric and chromic LUVISOLS

PdUC2 Complex of: well drained, shallow to moderately deep, dark red to yellowish brown, non-calcareous to moderately calcareous, friable to firm, stony sandy clay loam, over petrocalcic material or guartz gravel: calcic CAMBISOLS, lithic or petrocalcic phase; with chromic LUVISOLS LAIKIPIA GROUP 23

S1 Poorly drained to very poorly drained, very deep, dark greyish brown to dark olive grey, firm to very firm, strongly calcareous, strongly saline, strongly sodic clay; in many places with fragipans at various depths: gleyic SOLOHCHAKS, sodic phase and partly fragipan phase

VC Complex of: well drained to poorly drained, shallow to deep, dark reddish brown to black, firm, silty clay to clay; in places calcareous and/or cracking; in places rocky and stony: GLEYSOLS, FLUVISOLS, CAMBISOLS, VERTISOLS etc.

NOTES for definitions (of underlined words) 1 mollic Nitisols and chromo-luvic Phaeozems: soils are equally important 2 mollic Nitisols, with chromo-luvic Phaeozems: Nitisols are prevalent 3 in places: in <30% of the area 4 in many places: in 30-50% of the area 5 predominantly: in >50% of the area 6 deeper subsoil: below 80 cm.

4.7.2 POPULATION AND LAND see main Volume Northern Rift Valley Province

4.7.3 AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS see main Volume Northern Rift Valley Province LAIKIPIA GROUP 24

4.7.4 FARM SURVEY

The Farm Survey (FS) was carried out during the year 2004 in two sites covering AEZs LH 3 and LH 4 (Table 20). The data collected during 2004 FS on various agricultural aspects are presented in Tables 21a-b while the cropping patterns are shown in Tables 22a-b. The farm size in the sample of Laikipia West is fairly alright with an average of 2.55ha in AEZ LH 3 but in the sample of Laikipia East it is not enough with 2.0ha in the less productive zone LH 4. Slightly more than half the total land is allocated to annual crops in both zones and 0.5ha is allocated to permanent pasture and fodder crops in zone LH 3, 0.8 ha in the drier LH 4. An average of 0.1ha is allocated to perennial crops (fruits) at AEZ LH 3. Maize, beans and wheat are the leading food and cash crops in Laikipia West, in Laikipia East the same plus Irish potatoes and peas. Total crop hectarage on the 30 farms during the 1st and middle rains is 44.88 ha and 38.41ha in agroecological zones LH 3 and LH 4, respectively. Maize and beans intercrop account for 57.5% in AEZ LH 3 while maize accounts for 30% in LH 4 of the total crop hectares during the 1st and middle rains (Tables 22a-b). A total of 9.71ha only is under crop farming during the 2nd rains in LH 4. No farming activity was recorded during the 2nd rains in LH 3 because it is too far in the West for these rains. Fruits, mainly mangoes, citrus and bananas are cultivated in LH 3, although on a small hectarage (2.92ha). The average total dairy animals kept per farm are 2.8 and 3.6 in LH 3 and LH 4, respectively. Zebu animals were not reported in any of both AEZs while the average number of sheep and goats in both AEZ LH 3 and LH 4 were 7. Respondents in both AEZs apply farm inputs to improve yields. These include nitrogen, phosphorus manure, improved seeds and insecticides. Although there is use of improved seeds in both AEZs, only 43.2% of the respondents use improved seeds in LH 4 compared to 68.9% in LH 3 because they are poorer in LH 4 and the climate is more risky.

Sustainable agriculture offers solutions to some of these aforementioned problems observed in Laikipia group of districts. These can be summarized as follows:

• Improved soil fertility: Conventional farming methods rely on artificial fertilizers to maintain fertility. Sustainable agriculture uses a range of techniques to maintain and improve soil fertility: organic fertilizers, mulching, cover crops, agro-forestry, crop rotation and multiple cropping. Farmers in Laikipia are practicing intercropping of maize and bean, more should be encouraged since this has the potential to optimize yield and improve soil fertility. • Better pest control: Conventional farming uses chemical pesticides to control pests as is the case in AEZ LH 3. These are expensive and often result in the emergence of new pests or the resurgence of the very pests they are trying to control. Instead of using insecticide, farmers should be encouraged to adopt integrated pest management approaches: a combination of natural enemies, crop rotations and mixtures and biological control methods. These methods cost less than the pesticides, and do not result in pest resurgence. • Controlling erosion: Sustainable agriculture includes a plethora of techniques to conserve precious topsoil and prevent it from being washed or blown away. These include using contour bunds, contour planting, check-dams, gully plugs, and maintaining cover crops or mulch to protect the soil from heavy rainfall. • Water conservation: Water is scarce in much of Kenya, and drought is never far away. Sustainable agriculture conserves water in the soil through a variety of methods. Fortunately, many of these are the same as those used to control soil erosion. Because it conserves water and uses a variety of crops instead of just one, sustainable agriculture is less risky than conventional mono cropping: it is more likely to produce food for the farm family even during a drought. Rain water harvesting techniques should be promoted to enable farmers cope with unreliable rainfall. • Reliance on local inputs: Farmers often do not realize the value of the inputs they have immediately to hand. They include manure from their animals (which very often is wasted in conventional systems), vegetation from roadsides and the field boundaries (used as mulch or to make compost), and local varieties of crops (many of which are ideally adapted to local conditions but which have been half-forgotten in the rush to adopt modern varieties). Farmers need to be encouraged to use these local inputs as this will not only reduce the cost of production but also reduce the negative effects of artificial inputs on the environment. • Indigenous knowledge: An important local input is the people’s own knowledge. Local people are experts on the plants, animals, soils and ecosystems they are surrounded by and on which they depend. Sustainable LAIKIPIA GROUP 25 agriculture draws on this wealth of knowledge, and encourages local people to use it, test it, and promote what works best. Here in this pastoral area the experience is more in livestock keeping however. • Local organizations and initiative: Equally important are the energy and capacity of local people to organize and cooperate to solve their own problems. Unlike conventional extension agencies, organizations that promote sustainable agriculture spend at least as much time in helping farmers organize as they do in teaching farming technologies. Ironically, many sustainable agriculture approaches are very similar to the techniques traditionally used by farmers before the advent of “modern” farming. That does not mean, though, that sustainable agriculture turns its back on modern inputs or ideas. Many types of sustainable agriculture use modern high-yielding crop varieties and artificial fertilizers wherever appropriate.

TABLE 20: FARM SURVEY SITES (Representative of the Dominating Agro-Ecological Zones, Subzones and Units)

District Agro-Ecological Unit 2004 No. in Farm Survey Sites Kenya AEZone Subzone Soil Unit Ngarua Division, Kinamba Location, 100 LH 3 (l/vl) RB 5 Mwenje Sub-location Laikipia (m/s) i + Central Division, Daiga Location, Umande 101 LH 4 (vs/s) LBA Sub-location.

Tables 21 a - b: ASSETS, LAND USE, FARMING INTENSITY AND INPUTS see main Volume Northern Rift Valley Province Tables 22 a - b: CROPPING PATTERN see main Volume Northern Rift Valley Province LAIKIPIA GROUP 26 LAIKIPIA GROUP 27

4.7.5 INTRODUCTION TO THE ACTUAL LAND USE SYSTEMS AND POTENTIAL INTENSIFICATION BY BETTER FARM MANAGEMENT IN DOMINATING AGRO- ECOLOGICAL SUBZONES

LAIKIPIA WEST DISTRICT

Subzone LH 3 (l/vl) of the Wheat/Maize-Barley Zone

This is the Lower Highland Wheat/Maize-Barley Zonewith a (weak) long to very long cropping season found in Ngarua Division, Kinamba Location, Mwenje Sub-location. The dominant soil type in this Subzone is well drained, moderately deep to deep, dark reddish brown, friable to firm clay, with a humic topsoil: chromo-luvic PHAEOZEMS. The annual average rainfall amount is between 850 – 950 mm. The first rainy season can expect more than 300 – 350 mm in 10 out of 15 seasons and middle rains > 230 – 280 mm. The 60% reliability of the growing periods during the 1st and middle rains is 80 - 90 and 130 – 140 days, respectively, which can be combined together to 210 – 230 days.

A number of crops are grown in this Subzone during the first and middle rains. In order of importance the crops are: maize pure stand, beans pure stand, maize and beans intercrop, Irish potatoes, peas, wheat and kales. No crops were reported for the short rainy season which is too weak and unreliable here. The perennial crops include mangoes, bananas and citrus fruits (see Table 22a).

Data in Table 21a show that farmers in this Subzone reported using nitrogen and phosphorus based fertilisers to improve the soil fertility status on their farms. This is an encouraging trend that needs to be harnessed and sustained. Yields near the optimum agroecological unit yield potential for the staple crop maize could be realized if the correct fertiliser and manure application rates were utilized. If this can be put into practice, significant maize yields could be achieved as shown in Table 23a under the dominant soil type of well drained, moderately deep chromo-luvic PHAEOZEMS. LAIKIPIA GROUP 28

TABLE 23a: INCREASE OF YIELDS BY BETTER FARM MANAGEMENT IN AGRO-ECOLOGICAL UNIT1) LH 3 (l/vl), RB 5 Subzone: (l/vl), Soil Unit: RB 5 Survey Area 100 (Mwenje) Crop Yields3) AEZ: LH 3 WHEAT/(MAIZE)-BARLEY ZONE and Inputs Sub-zone: (l/vl) (Periods in days2): 1st rainy season 80 - 90, middle rains 130 - 140 days) Unit with predom. Soil: RB 5= well drained, moderately deep chromo-luvic PHAEOZEMS Reliable rainfall: 1st rainy season 300 – 350 mm in at Middle rains: 230 – 280 mm in at least 10 out least 10 out of 15 years of 15 years Farmers in Prod. Level Farmers in Prod. Level Maize local I= low II= med.4) III= high5) AEU Pot.6) I= low II= III= AEU monocropped med.4) high5) Pot.6) Yields3) kg/ha Fertiliser7): N kg/ha

P2O5 kg/ha K2O kg/ha Manure t/ha Hybrid maize Yields3) kg/ha 4000 6000 8000 11000 Late mat. maize continues Fertiliser7): N kg/ha 10 20 30

P2O5 kg/ha 15 20 30 K2O kg/ha - - - Manure t/ha 5 7 12 Maize local intercropped with beans Yields3) kg/ha - - - - - Fertiliser7): - N kg/ha - - - - -

P2O5 kg/ha - - - - - K2O kg/ha - - - - Manure t/ha - - - - - Maize hybrid intercropped with beans Yields3) kg/ha 4500 7000 9000 11000 Late mat. maize continues Fertiliser7): N kg/ha 15 23 32

P2O5 kg/ha 15 23 32 K2O kg/ha - - Manure t/ha 5 8 12

NOTES: 1)Source: Interview of 30 farmers (if possible 10 in each level) 2004 by Divisional and Field staff 2)Figures of these cereals growing periods should be reached or surpassed in 6 out of 10 years; growing periods may be considered longer due to immediately following second rainy season by middle rains. Then the second growing period is shorter than the given figures 3)Achieved average yields with average rainfall 4)Farmers with medium inputs 5)Farmers with high inputs of fertiliser, insecticides, soil and water conservation 6)Potential yield according to crop list and local climate of this Agro-Ecological Unit if soils are optimally fertilized, plus optimal crop management 7)Fertiliser applications are averaged at 20 % of pure nutrient *Agroecological unit potential for local maize variety not yet established LAIKIPIA GROUP 29

LAIKIPIA EAST DISTRICT

Subzone LH 4 (m/s) i + (vs/s) of the Cattle-Sheep-Barley Zone

This is the Lower Highland Cattle-Sheep-Barley Zone with a (weak) medium to short cropping season, intermediate rains, and a (weak) very short to short one found in Central Division, Daiga Location, Umande Sub-location. The dominant soil type in this Subzone is an association of well drained to moderately well drained, deep very dark greyish brown, firm, cracking clay, with a (thick) humic topsoil: verto-luvic PHAEOZEMS and chromic and ferric LUVISOLS (with LITHOSOLS). The annual average rainfall amount is between 700 – 800 mm. The first rainy season can expect more than 210 – 250 mm in 10 out of 15 seasons and second rainy season > 110 – 150 mm. The 60% reliability of the growing periods during the 1st and 2nd seasons is 100 - 110 and 60 – 70 days, respectively.

A number of crops are grown in this Subzone during the first rainy season. In order of importance the crops are: maize pure stand, beans pure stand, maize and beans intercrop, Irish potatoes, peas and wheat. During the short rainy season the crops grown are beans pure stand, Irish potatoes, peas and wheat. No perennial crops were reported in this Subzone (see Table 22b) because the dry seasons are too hard.

The data in Table 21b indicate that at least farmers in this Subzone reported using nitrogen and phosphorus based fertiliser, though at low application rates. There is need for the extension officers to educate farmers on the correct fertiliser application rates for specific crops. This is very important if high crop yields are to be realized and hence food security. The incorrect use of fertiliser application rates means that farmers are not realizing the optimum agroecological unit yield potential of staple crops like maize. This has far reaching implications on the food security situation in this Subzone. Farmers need to be encouraged and supported (by microcredits) take up farming as a business enterprise and invest more in fertilisers and manure to replenish the impoverished soils. If this is done at the correct application rates, significant maize yields even in zone LH 4 could be achieved as shown in Table 23b under the good dominant soil type of well drained moderately deep verto-luvic PHAEOZEMS. LAIKIPIA GROUP 30

TABLE 23b: INCREASE OF YIELDS BY BETTER FARM MANAGEMENT IN AGRO-ECOLOGICAL UNIT1) LH 4 (m/s) i + (vs/s) , LBA

Subzone: (m/s)i + (vs/s), Soil Unit: LBA Survey Area 101 (Umande) Crop Yields3) AEZ: LH 4 CATTLE-SHEEP-BARLEY ZONE and Inputs Sub-zone: (m/s) i + (vs/s) (Periods in days2): 1st rainy season 115 - 125, 2nd rainy season 60-70 days) Unit with predom. Soil: LBA= ass. of well drained moderately deep verto-luvic PHAEOZEMS and LUVISOLS Reliable rainfall: 1st rainy season 210 – 250 mm in at 2nd rainy season: 110 – 150 mm in at least 10 out least 10 out of 15 years of 15 years Farmers in Prod. Level Farmers in Prod. Level Maize local I= low II= med.4) III= high5) AEU Pot.6) I= low II= III= AEU monocropped med.4) high5) Pot.6) Yields3) kg/ha 3500 4900 * Fertiliser7): N kg/ha 5 15

P2O5 kg/ha 5 15 K2O kg/ha - - Manure t/ha 3 8 Hybrid maize Yields3) kg/ha 3900 5000 7500 9000 Fertiliser7): N kg/ha 6 20 25

P2O5 kg/ha 5 20 25 K2O kg/ha - - - Manure t/ha 3 8 12 Maize local intercropped with beans Yields3) kg/ha - - - - - Fertiliser7): N kg/ha - - - - -

P2O5 kg/ha - - - - - K2O kg/ha - - - - - Manure t/ha - - - - - Maize hybrid intercropped with beans Yields3) kg/ha 4000 5200 7800 * Fertiliser7): N kg/ha 7 20 25 -

P2O5 kg/ha 7 20 25 - K2O kg/ha - - - Manure t/ha 3 8 12 -

4.7.6 FERTILISER AND MANURE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPORTANT AGRO- ECOLOGICAL UNITS

The Fertiliser Use Recommendation Project of the GTZ (FURP) from 1986 till 1992 had 2 trial sites in the former Laikipia District –one at Upepo Farm/Nanyuki in Agro-Ecological Zone LH 4 (Cattle-Sheep-Barley Zone). This site is representing the fertile chromic Luvisols and Phaeozems in the southeastern part of the district group between Nanyuki and Timau; the soils have developed on tertiary basalts, phonolites and tuffs of the Mt. Kenya system. This soil type is also occurring in neighbouring Meru District. Another trial site was established at Ol Ngarua in the AEZ LH 3 (Wheat/Maize-Barley Zone), representing the highly fertile nito-ferric Luvisols in the western plains of the Laikipia Plateau. The southwestern parts of the district group –bordering Nyandarua- are covered by nito-chromic Luvisols and Phaeozems (AEZ UH 2, Wheat- Pyrethrum Zone); the soils are described by FURP data from neighbouring Charagita site in Nyandarua. In the utmost southern part of the district group, south of Ngobit, small patches of very fertile ando-luvic Phaeozems are occurring in AEZ LH 4 (Cattle-Sheep-Barley Zone). This soil unit is stretching into the neighbouring districts of Nyeri and Nakuru and is described by FURP data from Ol Kalou/Nyandarua. Large parts of the district group (particularly in the central, northern and eastern regions) are too dry for crop cultivation; therefore, these areas are not covered by FURP soil analysis. Recommended rates of an Agro-Ecological Unit (AEU) increase towards the wetter subzones and decrease into the dry ones if the soil unit extends there (see small maps). Generally, we have tended to lower the rates due to the low financial base of the smallholder farmers. If a system could be put in place to give the starter fertiliser on credit, repayable with part of the money obtained from harvest, then higher rates would be used by the farmers. The optimum can be calculated from the yield functions in MURIUKI & QURESHI (2001)1. In the long run the optimal amount must be given to maintain the nutrient content. Some quantities for this can be seen in chapter 3.1 under the ‘General Remarks’ section. Higher application rate recommendations are given in the Smallholder Farming Handbook of the IRACC and MSS, Nairobi 1997, but the economic investment and risk is too high for the local farmers. A rural small credit system for the inputs could help a lot. Where scientific sources for quantifying the rates are lacking, some conclusions can be drawn from the difference of inputs and yields between the low and high production levels of the Farm Survey 2004. An empty column in the recommendation tables denoted as “Other Nutrients Recommended” does not mean that there is nothing to be done but it is because of lack of trial data. Symptoms of deficiencies and methods of addressing these can be found in MURIUKI & QURESHI (2001), Table 1&2, p.22-23. Finally it must be emphasized once more that fertilising alone will increase the yields only for some few years. The micronutrients that are not included in the fertiliser become exhausted very fast. Manuring almost up to the full return of the extracted nutrients is a must in order to have a stable agrobiological system for continuous sustainable production2. This advice is also valid for the fertile volcanic soils in the district, which still have a high nutrient content. Foliar feeds with micronutrients are a first step in the necessary direction (Table 27). Water is the major limiting factor to crop production in most areas of the district group (AEZ LH 4). Therefore, soil and water conservation measures are necessary to increase water availability and to minimize the risk of fertiliser application; timely planting is essential. In the western areas of the AEZ UH 2 with a high risk of water logging drainage measures may be necessary to produce at least sufficient crop yields. On juvenile soils with high yields in the beginning of cultivation the extraction of nutrients should be observed and monitored; if necessary, compensation with mineral fertiliser should be performed.

______1 MURIUKI, A.W. & QURESHI, J.N. (2001): Fertiliser Use Manual.- Nairobi 2 Southern China has parts with similar soils to Rift Valley Province and stabilized productivity there for hundreds of years by returning the kitchen waste as well as human and animal excrements to the fields. The organic material could be used together with the urea for biogas production first to reduce the hygienic and energy problems. Ecosan toilets are a solution for households to produce manure. LAIKIPIA GROUP 32 LAIKIPIA GROUP 33

TABLE 25a: FERTILISER AND MANURE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE AGRO-ECOLOGICAL UNITS of the Cattle-Sheep- Barley Zone, here Maize-Potatoes Subzones LH 4 (s/m) i + (vs/s) and LH 4 (m/s) i + (vs/s), Soils LB A, LB 7 & LB 13

Av. Exp. Yield + Recommended Average Yield Average Yield Other Crop varieties and Response Fertiliser Increase if this Increase if Nutrients Season Rates 1 Rate is Applied 5t/ha Manure Recom- -curve 2 4 kg/ha kg/ha * kg/ha are Applied mended First rainy season Hybrid maize (H 614) 3027 + 12 N 3 - - 100 kg - Hybrid maize (H 614) 2734 (maize) - - - - & beans (GLP 1004) 434 (beans) Potatoes (Kenya Pink) 17316 - - - - Second rainy season 5

Sources: MURIUKI, A.W. & QURESHI, J.N.: Fertiliser Use Manual.- Nairobi 2001, p. 114 & 115, and conclusions from the Farm Survey 2004; KARI (Ed.): Fertilizer Use Recommendations. Vol. 10, Laikipia District.- Fertiliser Use Recommendation Project (FURP), Nairobi ca. 1997; LIGEYO, D.O. & OMBAKHO, G.A.: Maize research for Kenyan highlands.- KARI/NARC Kitale 2009. The AEU of the trial site is underlined. 1 Crop production is generally more limited by available soil water/rainfall than by soil fertility (FURP, p. 2); therefore, timely planting is very essential. The economic risk of applying fertiliser is very high due to limited water availability (FURP, p. 4). Soil and water conserving measures are essential (MURIUKI/ QURESHI, p. 114). Organic matter as well as available P in the soil is sufficient (FURP, p. 10). For sustainability some manure should be given each year except in dry ones. 2 Low response of maize due to high organic matter of the soil (FURP, p. 10). Application of organic fertiliser is recommended in seasons with adequate rainfall (MURIUKI/QURESHI, p. 114). 3 Application of N fertiliser is not economical due to limited water availability. However, in seasons with favourable rainfall conditions and hence higher yield levels, application of N should be considered (FURP, p. 10). 4 Soil tests are recommended regularly (every 3-4 years) to monitor soil pH, N, P, cations (in particular Ca and K) and organic C (MURIUKI/QURESHI, p. 114). 5 No experiments were performed during the second rainy season. It is too short and weak. * The actual conversion into the real nutrient content can be seen in Annex table I, p. 37. LAIKIPIA GROUP 34 LAIKIPIA GROUP 35

TABLE 25b: FERTILISER AND MANURE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE AGRO-ECOLOGICAL UNITS of the Wheat/Maize- Barley Zone LH 3 (vl/l) i or two, Soil LB 12

Av. Exp. Yield + Recommended Average Yield Average Yield Other Crop varieties and Response Fertiliser Increase if this Increase if Nutrients Season Rates Rate is Applied 5t/ha Manure Recom- -curve 3 6 kg/ha kg/ha * kg/ha are Applied mended First rainy season Hybrid maize (H 625) 7 6362 + 35.7 N 75 N 1 2860 830 kg - Hybrid maize (H 625) 7 4859 + 56.8 N – 50 N 1 1890 (maize) - - & beans (GLP 2) 0.38 N2 (maize) 848 – 0.01 N2 (beans) Potatoes (Annet) 9614 + 19.9 N + - 2, 5 - - potassium 13.2 P for potatoes Cabbages (Copenhagen) 42628 4 - 2 - - -

Beans (GLP 2) 933 + 13.8 P – 15 P2O5 180 - - 0.14 P2 Second rainy season Beans (GLP 2) 687 - 2, 5 - - -

Sources: MURIUKI, A.W. & QURESHI, J.N.: Fertiliser Use Manual.- Nairobi 2001, p. 114 & 115, and conclusions from the Farm Survey 2004; KARI (Ed.): Fertilizer Use Recommendations. Vol. 10, Laikipia District.- Fertiliser Use Recommendation Project (FURP), Nairobi ca. 1997; LIGEYO, D.O. & OMBAKHO, G.A.: Maize research for Kenyan highlands.- KARI/NARC Kitale 2009. 1 Even higher amounts are possible and should be tested (FURP, p. 6). 2 Economic risk of applying mineral fertiliser is too high under current conditions (FURP, p. 3); N and P fertilization should be performed for compensation (FURP, p. 6). 3 Regular application of organic fertiliser to maize is recommended (MURIUKI/QURESHI, p. 114). 4 Applications of P and/or Farm Yard Manure may become necessary in the long run to maintain the high level in cabbage production (MURIUKI/QURESHI, p. 114). 5 Application of P is beneficial for potatoes and beans (if fertiliser and/or crop prices are economical) (MURIUKI/QURESHI, 114). 6 Soil tests are recommended regularly (every 3-4 years) to monitor soil pH, N, P, cations (in particular Ca and K) and organic C; P content in the soil should be observed in particular due to high removal from the fields with the high yields recorded (MURIUKI/QURESHI, p. 114). 7 Recommendations for commercial and new varieties in highland areas (1500-2400 m) with high rainfall

acc. to LIGEYO & OMBAKHO: 60 kg/ha N plus 60 kg/ha P2O5 or 10 t/ha FYM (alternatively: 30 kg/ha N plus 30 kg/ha P2O5 plus 5 t/ha FYM). * The actual conversion into the real nutrient content can be seen in Annex table I, p. 37. LAIKIPIA GROUP 36 LAIKIPIA GROUP 37

TABLE 25c: FERTILISER AND MANURE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE AGRO-ECOLOGICAL UNITS of the Sheep-Dairy Zone UH 1 vl i and the Pyrethrum-Wheat Subzones UH 2 vl i or two and UH 2 vl/l or two, Soil RB 3

Av. Exp. Yield + Recommended Average Yield Average Yield Other Crop varieties and Response Fertiliser Increase if this Increase if Nutrients Season -curve 1 Rates Rate is Applied 5t/ha Manure Recom- kg/ha kg/ha * kg/ha are Applied 5 mended 6 First rainy season Maize (H 611D) 8 3078 + 7.01 N + - 3 - - Mg 7 4.66 P Maize (H 611D) 8 & peas 2893 + 11.2 N - 3 - - “ (local) 2 (maize) Potatoes (Annet) - - - - “

Cabbages (Copenhagen) 43618 + 83.7 P + 75 P2O5 6425 2000 kg “ 1.98 NP Second rainy season 4 Semi-perennial crops Pyrethrum 300 1 teaspoon 600-700 - - of DSP per planting hole before planting, after 2 months 1 kg CAN or ASN per 80 m of row

Sources: MURIUKI, A.W. & QURESHI, J.N.: Fertiliser Use Manual.- Nairobi 2001, p. 121 & 122, and conclusions from the Farm Survey 2004; Information Research and Communication Centre (IRACC): Small Holder Farming Handbook for Self Employment.- Nairobi 1997, p. 183; KARI (Ed.): Fertilizer Use Recommendations. Vol. 19, Nyandarua District.- Fertiliser Use Recommendation Project (FURP), Nairobi ca. 1997; LIGEYO, D.O. & OMBAKHO, G.A.: Maize research for Kenyan highlands.- KARI/NARC Kitale 2009. The AEU of the trial site is underlined. 1 During the experimental period crops suffered from water logging in 50 % of the years (FURP, p. 6); therefore, there is a the high risk of fertiliser application. The improvement of drainage measures in areas prone to water logging is recommended (MURIUKI/QURESHI, p. 121). 2 Peas did not produce any yield due to water logging (FURP, p. 7). 3 Maize responded very little to N and P fertiliser; therefore, application is not economical (FURP, p. 7). 4 No experiments performed during the second rainy season. 5 Although the organic matter content of the soil is generally high, periodic (5 years) application of organic fertilisers may be necessary in continuously cultivated fields (MURIUKI/QURESHI, p. 121). 6 Soil tests are recommended regularly (every 3-4 years) to monitor soil pH, P, cations, N and organic C (MURIUKI/QURESHI, p. 121). 7 Mg application is necessary to achieve a favourable Ca/Mg ratio (MURIUKI/QURESHI, p. 121). 8 Recommendations for commercial and new varieties in highland areas (1500-2400 m) with high rainfall

TABLE 25d: FERTILISER AND MANURE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE AGRO-ECOLOGICAL UNITS of the Western Cattle- Sheep-Barley Zone, here Maize-Potatoes Subzones LH 4 (vs^s) + (vs/s) and LH 4 (s/m) + (vs/s), Soils LB 4 & LB 5

Av. Exp. Yield + Recommended Average Yield Average Yield Other Crop varieties and Response Fertiliser Increase if this Increase if Nutrients Season Rates Rate is Applied 5t/ha Manure Recom- -curve 3 5 kg/ha kg/ha * kg/ha are Applied mended First rainy season Maize (H 611D, H 614) 6 6899 - 1, 2 - - - Maize (H 611D, H 614) 6553 (maize) - 1, 2 - - - 6 & green peas (local)/ 71.5 + 2.59 N – beans (GLP 2) 0.03 N2 (gr. peas) Potatoes (Pimpernel, 27209 - 1, 2 - - - R.Tana) Cabbages (Copenhagen) 62428 - 1, 2 - 7800 kg -

Second rainy season 4

Sources: MURIUKI, A.W. & QURESHI, J.N.: Fertiliser Use Manual.- Nairobi 2001, p. 121 & 122, and conclusions from the Farm Survey 2004; KARI (Ed.): Fertilizer Use Recommendations. Vol. 19, Nyandarua District.- Fertiliser Use Recommendation Project (FURP), Nairobi ca. 1997; LIGEYO, D.O. & OMBAKHO, G.A.: Maize research for Kenyan highlands.- KARI/NARC Kitale 2009. The AEZ of the trial site is underlined. Ol Soro Orok ARC is AEZ UH 3, therefore the maize yields are lower here. 1 Responses of all crops tested were very low or insignificant to N and P fertiliser due to high natural fertility of the soils; therefore, applications of N and P is not recommended. As yields are high, nutrient removal may be high over the years, so that nutrient contents should be monitored every 3-4 years and compensated if necessary (FURP, p. 11-12). 2 Farmer’s fields next to the trial site were low in P levels, so that P application is recommended (MURIUKI/QURESHI, p. 121), 125 -500 kg DAP in wet years (see Table 26). 3 Regular application of organic fertiliser is recommended to maintain favourable N and organic C (MURIUKI/QURESHI, p. 121). 4 No experiments performed during the second rainy season, too short and weak. 5 Soil tests are recommended regularly (every 3-4 years) to monitor soil pH, P, cations, N and organic C (MURIUKI/QURESHI, p. 121). 6 Recommendations for commercial and new varieties in highland areas (1500-2400 m) with high rainfall

acc. to LIGEYO & OMBAKHO: 60 kg/ha N plus 60 kg/ha P2O5 or 10 t/ha FYM (here alternatively: 30 kg/ha N plus 30 kg/ha P2O5 plus 5 t/ha FYM). * The actual conversion into the real nutrient content can be seen in Annex table I, p. 37. LAIKIPIA GROUP 40 LAIKIPIA GROUP 41

The fertilizer recommendations in Tables 25a-d are different from the ones in the District Farm Management Guidelines. It is especially evident in Nyahururu District (Table 26). The Fertiliser Use Recommendation

Project FURP had tested only nitrogen (N) and phosphate (P2O5) with the main crops on different soils in dominating AEZs. Since the FURP trials in the late eighties a lot of nutrients have gone. The recommendations by the present Agricultural Officers are therefore higher. The guideline recommendations are good if they come from local experience, but they can be misleading if they are taken from textbooks, not specified for local soils and Agro-Ecological Zones. In the recommendations for Nyahururu District, which has the zones UH 2, LH 3 and LH 4, there are listed between typical crops as wheat and maize, some crops as cassava and cowpeas which cannot grow there properly. Please DAOs, check such errors before publication that the important information about necessary potash, magnesium, micronutrients and trace elements reaches clearly the farmers for the important task to increase agricultural production and to make it sustainable.

TABLE 26: FERTILISER RATES RECOMMENDED IN THE FARM MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES OF NYAHURURU DISTRICT

Crop Varieties Fertilizer & rate/ha Yield/ha Maize H 628 DAP 125 kg 75 bags

H 627 =23 kg N and 68 kg P2O5 H 614 H 513 H 511 40 bags Katumani 30 bags Composite Wheat Kwale DAP 200 kg 24-40 bags

Nyangumi =36 kg N and 92 kg P2O5 Mbuni BAYFOLAN 2.5 ltr. Mbega Nduma Ngamia 91 D 33 Beans Rosecoco DAP 200 kg 20 bags from pure stand

=36 kg N and 92 kg P2O5 Canadian Wonder 10 bags from intercrop Mwezi moja Katumani Beans 4 & 9, x56, x69 Mwitemania Wairimu Garden Peas Local var. Farm yard manure 80-120 bags of pods Green feast DAP 200 kg or 20-30 bags of grains (5-6 tons/ha) Irish Potatoes Kerr´s Pink DAP 500 kg 100-200 bags Annet in two splits i.e. during Roslin Eburu planting and six weeks Desiree later Dutch Robjin „Nyayo“ Roslin Tana Tigoni

Source: Farm Management Guidelines December 2010 LAIKIPIA GROUP 42

4.7.7 FINAL STATEMENTS

The main part of Laikipia Group of Districts is ranching or pastoral land. According to the Agro-Ecological Zones LH 5, LH 6 & UM 6 and the trimodal distribution of rainfall (central and western parts) it is the best way of land use there. Chances for rain-fed agriculture in the marginal zones were analyzed most detailed by M. FURY.1)

The peripheral parts which are suitable for agriculture are endangered by overpopulation. Intensification of land use is necessary. More vegetables are one way, especially in drainage and irrigation areas. The other way is better nutrient management for all crops: Manure is valuable but many farms are too small to keep livestock. They should use Ecosan toilets to produce own compost manure, together with kitchen waste, ashes and charcoal debris. As long as farmers still have some money or can rise a cheap credit (the rainfall is too unreliable for a normal bank credit), the additional use of fertilizers makes sense. But it must be kept in mind that nitrogen and phosphate alone push yields only for some years. Trace elements and micronutrients are necessary for a long term sustainability. Foliar feeds can cover a substantial part of this demand (Table 27), but for a complete supply the recycling with humus and manure is unavoidable.

TABLE 27a: NUTRIENT CONTENTS IN FERTILIZERS AND FOLIAR FEEDS

Type of Nutrient Contents Unit Price/Unit Fertilizer in KSh 2010 % N % P2O5 % K2O Others DAP 18 46 0 - 50 kg 2000-3000 CAN 27 0 0 - 50 kg 1400-2100 UREA 46 0 0 - 50 kg 2000 AS 21 0 0 50 kg TSP 0 46 0 24s 50 kg MAP 11 52 0 - 50 kg MAVUNO 10 26 10 - 10 kg 600-800 NPK 20 20 0 - 50 kg 2600 NPK 17 17 17 50 kg 2600 Omex 24 24 18 Trace elem. 1 litre 550 Agro feed 9 4 6 Micronutr. 1 litre 250 and MgO Murphy 22 21 17 Trace elem. 1 litre 250-300 Booster foliar 12 8 8 TE +0.2 MgO 1 litre 250-300 Evergreen 22 21 17 Micronutr. 1 litre 130 foliar Farmphokap- 12 10 7 4 MgO 1 litre 260-300 lus Easygro 14 11 33 Trace elem. 1 kg 250-300 Strufol 11 6 5 Trace elem. 1 litre 250-300 Bayfolan 11 8 6 Micronutr. 1 litre 320 & Trace elem., growth hormones

Source: Farm Management Guidelines Nyahururu District, compiled by DADO David K. Njoroge Dec. 2010

1) Manuel FURY: Rain-Fed Agriculture in the Central Division, Laikipia District. Kenya-African Studies Series A6, Inst. of Geogr. Univ. of Berne 1987 LAIKIPIA GROUP 43

TABLE 27b: PRICES OF ORGANIC MANURE IN NYAHURURU DISTRICT

Type of Manure Unit Price/Unit Remarks Farm yard manure - - - Cattle 1 ton 1000-1500 Available Shoats 1 ton 1500-2500 Available Layers 1 ton 1500-2500 Scarce Pigs 1 ton 1500-2500 Scarce

Source: Farm Management Guidelines Nyahururu District, compiled by DADO David K. Njoroge Dec. 2010

These statements are not only directed to the Laikipia Group of Districts but to all other agricultural districts also. Therefore, the end of this handbook is the right place for it.