Machakos & Makueni 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 C1 Eastern Province M a c h a k o s & M a k u e n i 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 Eastern Province -

Subpart C1 Machakos & Makueni County

by 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, May 2009

MACHAKOS & MAKUENI COUNTY 1

3.5 MACHAKOS AND MAKUENI GROUP OF DISTRICTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS District Page 3.5.1 Natural Potential. 2 Introduction 2 Annual Rainfall Map 3 Table 1: Annual Rainfall 4 Table 2: Temperature 6 Table 3: Potential Evapotranspiration 6 Seasonal Rainfall Maps 7 Table 4: Climate in the Agro-Ecological Zones 9 Agro-Ecological Zones Map 10 Agro-Ecological Zones and Subzones (=Legend to the AEZ Map), with Land Use Potentials and Water Availability & Requirement Diagrams 11 Tables 5: Climatic Yield Potentials in Marginal and Semi-arid Zone 22 Appendix: Diagrams of Growing Periods in Semi-arid Zones Showing the Variablity 26 Soil Map 30 Soil Distribution, Fertility and Major Characteristics with Legend to the Soil Map 31 3.5.2 Population and Land. see the big Vol. C1 3.5.3 Agricltural Statistics see the big Vol. C1 3.5.4 Farm Survey 37 Table 16: Farm Survey Sites Representative of the Dominating Agro-Ecological Subzones and Units 36 Farm Survey Areas and Fertiliser Recommendations Map 37 3.5.5 Introduction to the Actual Land Use Systems and to the Potential Intensification by Better Farm Management in Dominating Agro-Ecological Subzones .38 Tables 19 a-g: Increase of Yields by Better Farm Management 39 UM 3 s/m + s/m of the Marginal Coffee Zone 39 UM 4 s + s of the Sunflower - Maize Zone 41 UM 5 vs/s + vs of the Livestock - Sorghum Zone 43 LM 4 vs/s + s/vs of the Marginal Cotton Zone 45 LM 3 s + s of the Cotton Zone 47 LM 5 vu + vs/s of the Livestock - Millet Zone 49 LM 5 vu + vs of the Livestock - Millet Zone 51 3.5.6 Fertiliser and Manure Recommendations for Important Agro-Ecological Units 52 Map of Important Agro-Ecological Units 53 Tables 20 a-g: Fertiliser and Manure Recommendations 54 UM 3 s/m + s/m, UU 1 & 8, UUC 2 of the Marginal Coffee Zone 54 UM 4 s + s & s/vs + s/vs, UUC 2 of the Maize - Sunflower Zone 54 UM 4 s + s, UU 1 of the Maize - Sunflower Zone 56 LM 4 vs/s + vs/s, PdUC 1 of the Marginal Cotton Zone 56 LM 4 vs/s + vs/s, UUC 2 of the Marginal Cotton Zone 58 LM 5 vu + vs, UUA of the Livestock - Millet Zone 58 LM 5 vs + vs/s, UUC 2 of the Livestock - Millet Zone 60 MACHAKOS & MAKUENI COUNTY 2

3.5.1 NATURAL POTENTIAL

Introduction

The centre of Machakos District and the northwestern Makueni District mainly consist of hills and small plateaus, rising to between 1800-2100 m. The district is surrounded by a large plateau that rises to about 1700 m in the West and slopes down to 700 m in the Southeast. This undulating peneplain is broken by isolated mountains like Oldoinyo Sabuk in the Northwest, the volcanic outflow of the Yatta Plateau in the East, and by a range of volcanic ashes, the Chyulu Hills, in the Southeast.

Rainfall is regionally very different: The total annual averages range between 500 and 1300 mm; the 66 % rainfall reliability during the growing period of the first rainy season is <100-450 mm, and that of the second rainy season 80-530 mm.

The rains are normally concentrated into two short seasons: end of March-May and end ofOctober- December in the middle of the district. From June to August, the higher parts get additional rains and mist on their eastern slopes that are caused by the windward effect of the hills on the southeastern trade winds blowing at that time so that the annual average exceeds 1000 mm there. This moist and cool climate on the hill tops belongs to Agro-ecological Zone LH 2, generally a Wheat/Maize-Pyrethrum Zone. However, these crops are usually not cultivated here because the farms are too small for wheat and the rainy seasons are slightly too short for maize so that only fair results can be expected and pyrethrum has a low pyrethrin content due to high air moisture and relatively low altitude (LH ranges here from 1800 to 2100 m). On the other hand, potatoes and dairy have good prospects here so that there is every reason for this zone to be named after these farming enterprises.

The coffee zone below gets enough rain only in the higher areas on the eastern slopes between 1650 and 1800 m (Main Coffee Zone= UM 2). Below that and on the rain-shadowed western slopes, coffee cultivation becomes marginal (Marginal Coffee Zone = UM 3). In the rain shadow, most of the Upper Midlands are too dry for coffee. Early maturing maize (Katumani) and sunflowers are the leading cropsSunflower-Maize ( Zone = UM 4). A few kilometres westward, it is too dry for this maize variety. Livestock is the economic mainstay and could be supplemented by early maturing sorghum (Livestock-Sorghum Zone = UM 5); on black soils some chickpeas could be grown up to the margin of rainfed cultivation (Ranching Zone = UM 6). Down to the Lower Midlands to the East, the climate is so dry, that the Cotton Zone (LM 3) is small and the yields become increasingly poor (Marginal Cotton Zone = LM 4). Cotton may be planted in LM 5 but with poorer yields and high risk.

One advantage for cotton cultivation is the fact that towards the Southeast, the second rainy season, i.e. the planting time for cotton, rainfall amount is more than during the first rainy season. But below 1100 m it becomes too dry for cotton and also for maize. It is also a Livestock-Millet Zone (LM 5), where early maturing sorghums as well as bulrush, proso and foxtail millet can grow. At present people still rely too much on maize and therefore famine often occurs.1) Especially during dry years, in which the rains are insufficient even for sorghum or millets, new perennial crops like buffalo gourds (from Arizona) and Marama beans (from Kalahari) could be a possibility. They have edible seeds rich in protein and form large nutritious tubers after a few years.

The colours in the rainfall maps give a first rough optical association of the possible land use. Because the rainfall is less concentrated than in Tharaka District, the threshold figures are a bit higher here. For detailed information see AEZ maps, potentials, and soil maps.

1) For the unreliability of rainfall see Braun, H.M.H.: The Reliability of Rainy Seasons in Machakos and Kitui Districts. Kenya Soil Survey M 12, Nairobi 1977. Development proposals and activities see the G.O.K./USAID; Consortium of International Development: Marginal/Semi-Arid Land Preinvestment Inventory (Nairobi 1978) and the work of the team of the Machakos MACHAKOS & MAKUENI COUNTY 3 MACHAKOS & MAKUENI COUNTY 4

TABLE 1: RAINFALL FIGURES FROM SELECTED TYPICAL STATIONS HAVING AT LEAST 15 YEARS OF RECORDS

Agro-Ecol. Annual Monthly rainfall in mm No. and Name of station Zone and Kind of rainfall altitude Subzone records mm J F M A M J J A S O N D 9137003 Malili UM 5-6 Average 635 40 36 78 159 70 9 3 4 9 40 122 65 1853 m Ranch Ltd. (vs/s) + vu 66% rel.1 544 23 19 31 126 55 0 0 0 0 13 102 41 9137010 Machakos UM 4 Av. 915 54 55 120 207 77 12 6 6 9 54 192 123 1640 m District Office s + s 66%2 767 21 17 60 151 35 1 0 0 0 22 155 87 9137012 Kiu UM 5 Av. 557 32 38 81 147 57 7 2 3 6 29 102 53 1461 m Primary School vs/s + vs 66% 463 4 14 43 82 28 0 0 0 0 11 64 31 9137014 Machakos UM 5 Av. 647 51 42 82 148 59 9 3 3 11 37 121 81 1650 m Potha Estate vs/s + vs 66% 532 20 19 34 103 40 2 0 0 0 12 113 44 9137020 Kangundo UM 2-3 Av. 984 60 55 122 210 71 6 3 7 5 72 250 123 1785 m D. O’s Office s/m + s/m 66% 748 25 3 55 171 3 2 0 5 1 50 176 121 9137028 Machakos LM 3 Av. 834 47 46 107 177 71 9 3 4 6 50 199 115 1097 m Matiliku s + s 66% 770 37 20 50 87 36 1 0 0 0 12 122 70 9137032 Sultan Hamud, UM 4 Av. 838 44 44 121 202 60 8 3 4 7 59 196 90 1388 m Kasikeu Sec. S. s + s 66%2 772 35 20 55 95 30 1 0 0 0 13 120 60 9137042 Konza Kapiti UM 6 Av. 541 40 30 62 132 62 10 2 3 7 33 95 65 1707 m Estate Ltd. b r 66% 395 5 3 22 71 38 0 0 0 0 4 54 29 Donyo Sabuk 9137054 UM 3 Av. 925 40 37 115 224 73 12 5 6 10 71 216 116 Kianzavi F.C.S. 1478 m s/m + s/m 8 14 55 166 35 3 0 0 2 26 176 51 Ltd. 66% 775 Muka Mukuu 9137055 UM 3 Av. 939 28 45 131 223 82 7 5 4 10 80 217 107 Farm. Coop 1487 m s/m + s/m 2 5 16 65 165 40 2 0 0 2 30 177 47 Society 66% 785 9137056 Makueni LM 3 Av. 736 40 30 84 158 61 7 1 3 10 56 180 108 1204 m Unoa Hill s + s 66% 558 28 13 65 96 29 0 0 0 0 14 103 71 9137058 Kabaa LM 4 Av. 753 31 31 97 173 54 9 3 3 10 60 193 89 1220 m Catholic Misson vs/s + vs/s 66% 583 9 0 77 90 13 0 0 0 0 19 110 45 9137065 Stony Athi UM 6 Av. 557 41 31 55 143 71 10 7 5 6 34 92 64 1615 m Estate (-’76) b r 66% 438 15 7 24 85 36 6 0 0 0 7 55 42 9137069 Makueni LM 5 Av. 690 41 37 79 118 44 4 1 3 3 45 205 110 870 m Athi Camp vu + vs 66% 459 10 4 45 70 19 1 0 1 0 3 46 68 9137070 Ngelani Station UM 3 Av. 915 56 52 106 198 79 11 7 3 8 65 193 137 1800 m Agric. Quarters s/m + s/m 66%2 765 22 18 55 148 36 1 0 0 0 26 156 95 9137071 Machakos, UM 4 Av. 711 54 43 72 154 61 6 3 3 6 39 174 96 1494 m Makabete s + s 66% 590 32 15 50 83 33 0 0 0 0 3 145 33 9137073 Aim Ma UM 4 Av. 632 39 37 75 169 76 10 2 4 10 39 115 56 1778 m Kilungu Ltd. s/vs + vs/s 66% 543 20 14 49 115 64 0 0 0 1 16 78 36 9137074 Kithimani LM 4 Av. 754 1260 m D.O’s Office vs/s + vs/s 66% 582 9137075 Makueni, LM 4-5 Av. 702 1120 m Kampi ya Mawe vs/s + vs/s 66%2 601 9137078 Mbooni UM 2 Av. 1249 1763 m Chief’s Office m/s + m/s 66% 845 Rohet Lukenya 9137082 UM 6 Av. 555 Ranching C.S. 1529 m b r Ltd. 66% 491 9137089 Katumani Exp. UM 4 Av. 673 1600 m Res. Station s/vs + vs/s 66% 582 MACHAKOS & MAKUENI COUNTY 5

TABLE 1: CONTINUED

Agro-Ecol. Annual Monthly rainfall in mm No. and Name of station Zone and Kind of rainfall altitude Subzone records mm J F M A M J J A S O N D 9137090 Donyo Sabuk, UM 4 Av. 920 53 38 123 216 83 14 5 5 8 76 212 87 1295 m Ngoliba Estate s + s 66%2 795 15 26 85 158 50 5 0 0 0 48 145 43 9137091 Kilome LH 2 Av. 1035 49 48 128 263 118 18 13 9 18 44 230 97 1981 m District Office m/s + m/s 66% 960 39 28 80 160 75 9 4 3 5 25 160 55 9137098 Machakos UM 4 Av. 760 51 52 94 169 64 10 10 4 10 49 158 89 1573 m Dam s/vs + vs/s 66%2 615 22 21 48 115 40 7 3 0 2 20 112 40 9137100 Nzau UM 3 Av. 1244 59 41 144 259 100 22 15 15 19 112 309 149 1615 m Forest Station s/m + s/m 66% 844 45 3 39 172 53 5 4 3 10 16 195 65 9137103 Thika UM 4 Av. 867 41 36 111 233 67 13 5 5 9 64 207 76 1524 m Yatta Furrow s/vs + s/vs 66%2 725 2 8 35 169 30 8 1 2 3 28 120 30 9137105 Uuni UM 4 Av. 885 45 40 108 194 56 14 3 4 9 66 260 86 1622 m Forest Station s + s 66% 750 32 20 38 160 25 8 0 0 0 21 155 29 9137107 B&T Malinda UM 6 Av. 487 35 35 52 126 53 12 8 5 10 30 76 45 1500 m Ranch, Lukenya b r 66%2 410 17 10 38 75 24 7 0 0 1 6 40 15 9137108 Koma Rock UM 5-6 Av. 621 35 53 81 167 33 6 6 2 6 32 144 56 1530 m Ranch Office (vs/s) + vu 66% 530 17 15 45 100 17 1 0 0 0 7 98 18 9137112 Konza UM 4-5 Av. 613 36 40 51 160 57 6 3 2 5 57 119 77 1675 m Ranch Office s/vs + vs 66%2 522 10 9 33 110 33 1 0 0 0 6 90 51 9137115 Rohet UM 6 Av. 573 28 46 60 119 68 25 9 9 14 33 106 56 1500 m Ranch b r 66% 505 9137117 Matuu Scheme LM 5 Av. 629 32 23 71 154 49 13 2 2 8 49 171 55 1230 m Sites Yatta vs + vs/s 66%2 510 2 1 22 110 22 7 0 0 2 23 115 20 9137119 Mwala LM 4 Av. 775 41 38 97 169 41 10 6 5 7 54 204 103 1230 m Locat. Centre vs/s + s/vs 66% 600 12 2 77 89 10 1 0 0 0 17 116 55 9137121 Ngoliba LM 4 Av. 846 33 33 104 235 66 16 7 16 10 79 184 63 1350 m Scheme vs/s + s/vs 66%2 710 3 5 34 170 30 10 2 5 4 35 100 25 9137143 Masii UM 4 Av. 739 39 30 77 165 42 9 3 6 13 48 203 106 1335 m Chief’s Office s + s 66% 565 11 1 28 138 20 5 0 0 3 16 140 36 9237000 Makindu LM 5 Av. 609 39 29 73 115 29 2 1 1 2 30 172 116 997 m Met. Station vs + vs/s 66%2 497 20 8 22 82 12 0 0 0 0 4 139 98 9237002 Kibwezi, DWA LM 5 Av. 659 46 29 81 122 29 4 3 2 4 26 177 136 914 m Plantation Ltd. vs + vs/s 66% 547 7 4 28 72 11 0 0 0 0 1 135 108 9237003 Simba LM 5 Av. 618 42 33 67 127 39 4 1 2 5 32 160 106 1036 m Railway Station vu + vs 66% 538 3 0 27 76 23 0 0 0 0 2 134 52 9237018 Kiboko LM 6-5 Av. 566 51 32 53 108 25 2 1 1 4 27 145 109 975 m Tsetse Station b r 66%2 436 16 3 33 72 18 0 0 0 0 1 118 71 9237057 A.D.C. Nzai LM 4 Av. 749 68 46 99 131 69 7 2 3 6 47 183 88 1170 m Ranch, Man. Hse vs/s + vs/s 66% 600 4 15 40 94 35 1 0 0 2 5 140 65 9238003 Masongaleni LM 5 Av. 603 29 32 58 119 27 3 1 1 3 28 160 141 855 m Railway Stn. vs + vs 66% 519 5 11 16 57 11 0 0 0 0 0 122 105 9238007 Darajani LM 4 Av. 531 22 24 54 109 19 4 1 1 4 20 153 120 784 m Railway Station vu + vs 66% 450 8 9 10 80 5 0 0 0 0 0 80 60 9238018 Bushwackers IL 5 Av. 589 44 21 66 90 53 2 1 4 8 29 171 102 700 m Camp vu + vs 66% 506 1 These figures of rainfall reliability should be exceeded normally in 10 out of 15 years. 2 Estimate of this reliability by correlation, no detailed data available to GTZ for enough years. MACHAKOS & MAKUENI COUNTY 6

TABLE 2: TEMPERATURE DATA Temperature in °C No. and Name of 1 Kind of Belt altitude station AEZ records limits J F M A M J J A S O N D Year

Mean max. 25.8 27.1 26.4 25.1 24.2 23 22.1 22.6 25.1 26.3 24.1 24.2 24.7 1800 m Katumani Mean temp. 19.8 20.7 20.9 20.4 19.3 17.5 16.9 17.1 18.7 20.1 19.6 19.3 19.2 9137089 UM Agric. Res. UM 4 1600 m Stn. Mean min. 13.8 14.3 15.3 15.7 14.3 12 11.6 11.6 12.2 13.8 15.1 14.3 13.7 1300 m

Abs. min. 8.1 5.6 8.6 10 7.8 6.7 6.1 3.4 6.1 0.1 8.5 9.5 6.7

Mean max. 29 30.7 30.8 29.5 28.3 27.4 26.4 26.8 28.6 29.8 28.5 27.6 28.6

Makindu Mean temp. 23.2 24.3 24.6 24 22.6 21.1 20.1 20.5 21.9 23.4 23.3 22.7 22.6 1300 m 9237000 Met. LM 5 LM 997 m Station Mean min. 17.3 17.8 18.4 18.5 16.9 14.7 13.8 14.2 15.1 16.9 18 17.8 16.6 750 m

Abs. min. 12.3 12.7 10.6 12.4 11.1 9.8 8.8 9.2 10.9 11.7 12.2 12.1 11.2

1 AEZ = Agro-ecological zone

TABLE 3: AVERAGE POTENTIAL EVAPOTRANSPIRATION Average Potential Evapotranspiration PET in mm Av. Rainfall No. and Name of Type1) altitude station AEZ Year % of J F M A M J J A S O N D Year in mm PET 9137089 Katumani Agric. calc. 164 158 167 133 120 104 103 114 100 173 141 145 1622 673 41% 1600 m Res. Stn. UM 4 9237000 Makindu Met. calc. 172 174 195 165 150 133 137 153 122 207 168 159 1934 609 31% 997 m Station LM 5

1) Type of equation: calc. = calculated by formula of Penman & McCulloch with albedo for green grass 0.2; see McCulloch (1965): Tables for the Rapid Computation of the Penman Estimate of Evaporation.- East African Agricultural & Forestry Journal, Vol. 30, No.3, p. 286-295; interp. = interpolated from neighbouring stations, considering altitude and rainfall difference.

AEZ = Agro-Ecol. Zone, explaining table see general part. MACHAKOS & MAKUENI COUNTY 7 MACHAKOS & MAKUENI COUNTY 8 MACHAKOS & MAKUENI COUNTY 9

TABLE 4: CLIMATE IN THE AGRO-ECOLOGICAL ZONES

Agro-Ecological Subzone Altitude Annual Annual av. 66% reliability of 60% reliability of cereal and Zone in m mean rainfall rainfall 1) legumes growing period temp. in mm 3) in °C 1st rainy Middle 1st rainy Middle Total season 2) rains & season 2) rains in mm 2nd r. s. & 2nd in mm r. s. in days in days in days LH 2 Wheat/Maize- m/l i m 1830-2130 17.9-16.0 1000-1300 300-500 300-500 135-155 135-155 >250 Pyrethrum Zone LH 3 Wheat/Maize- s/m + s Very small, unimportant Barley Zone LH 4 Cattle-Sheep- s/vs + vs/s Very small, unimportant Barley Zone UM 2 m + m/s 980-1200 350-430 350-500 130-150 110-130 >240 1400-1770 20.5-18.1 Main Coffee Zone m/s + m/s 970-1100 350-410 350-450 115-130 110-130 >225 UM 3 m/s + s/m 950-1050 350-400 350-400 110-130 105-115 - Marginal Coffee 1400-1830 20.5-17.9 Zone s/m + s/m 900-1000 300-390 300-390 105-115 100-110 - UM 4 s + s 800-950 250-350 250-350 85-105 85-105 - Sunflower Maize 1520-1770 19.3-18.0 Zone s/vs + s/vs 700-800 200-280 200-250 75-85 70-85 - UM 5 vs/s + vs 600-750 150-250 150-230 65-75 50-65 - Livestock- 1460-1710 20.2-18.6 Sorghum Zone (vs/s) + i 550-600 150-200 150-200 65-70 20-40 - UM 6 Upper Midland br No rainfed agriculture possible except with runoff-water harvesting techniques Ranching Zone 3) LM 3 s + s 800-900 250-350 250-350 85-105 85-105 >170 1160-1350 22.0-20.9 Cotton Zone s/vs + s/vs 750-900 250-300 250-300 75-85 75-85 >150 3) LM 4 s/vs + s/vs 700-850 220-350 250-350 75-85 75-85 >150 3) Marginal Cotton 1160-1280 22.0-21.3 Zone vs/s + s/vs 700-800 190-300 250-350 55-75 75-85 >150 3) (vs/s) + vs/s 650-750 180-300 200-300 55-70 55-75 - LM 5 Lower Midland vs + vs/s 600-800 150-250 180-250 45-55 55-75 - 790-1220 24.0-21.6 Livestock - Millet vu + vs/s 600-700 80-160 180-250 20-40 55-75 - Zone vu + vs 600-700 50-160 150-220 20-40 45-55 - LM 6 Lower Midland br No rainfed agriculture possible except with runoff-water harvesting techniques Ranching Zone IL 6 Inner Lowland br No rainfed agriculture possible except with runoff-water harvesting techniques Ranching Zone

NOTES: 1) Amounts surpassed normally in 10 of 15 years, falling during the agro-humid period which allows growing of cereals and legumes. 2) Only added if rainfall continues at least for survival (> 0.2 PET) of certain long term crops. 3) From second to first rainy season of the following year, not counting the stop during the dry season. MACHAKOS & MAKUENI COUNTY 10 MACHAKOS & MAKUENI COUNTY 11

AGRO-ECOLOGICAL ZONES AND SUBZONES

LH = LOWER HIGHLAND ZONES

LH 2 = Wheat/Maize - Pyrethrum Zone LH 2 = Wheat/Maize - Pyrethrum Zone (resp. Dairy-Potato Zone) m + m/s with a medium and a medium to short cropping season No very good potential Good yield potential ( av. 60 - 80% of the optimum) 1 st rainy season, start norm. end of March: M. mat. wheat like Kenya Tembo (~60%)1), m. mat. barley1); peas, potatoes; cabbages, cauliflower, kales, carrots, beetroot, spinach, lettuch, tomatoes 2nd rainy season, start norm. end of Oct.: M. mat. wheat (~70%), m. mat. barley, very late mat. maize (Nov.-July, ~60%); peas, potatoes; vegetables like above Whole year: Black wattle, plums Fair yield potential ( av. 40 - 60% of the optimum) 1st rainy season: Finger millet; rapeseed, linseed; sweet potatoes 2nd rainy season: Late mat. maize (Nov.-June), finger millet; m. mat. sunflower like Hybrid S 301 A; m. mat. beans like (Red Cuarentino), sweet potatoes Whole year: Pyrethrum (~40%)2), tea (40-50%), apples, pears, avocvados, passion fruit Pasture and forage About 1 ha/LU on secondary pasture (originally montane forest), around 0.5 ha/LU on artificial pasture of Kikuyu grass, less than 0.3 ha/LU with Napier grass and fodder legumes for dairy cows

LH 3 = Wheat/Maize - Barley Zone LH 3 = Wheat/Maize - Barley Zone s/m + s with a short to medium and a short cropping season Very small at Mua Hills. E. mat. wheat and barley in 1st rainy season good1), m. mat. maize like H511-518 fair; no tea possibilities, pyrethrum poor; most other crops mentioned in LH 2 fair

LH 4 = Cattle - Sheep - Barley Zone LH 4 = Cattle - Sheep - Barley Zone s/vs + vs/s with a short to very short and a very short to short cropping season Very small. No good potentials except short to very short mat. barley varieties which are bred in Kashmir or Ladakh

UM = UPPER MIDLAND ZONES

UM 2 = Main Coffee Zone UM 2 = Main Coffee Zone m + m/s with a medium and a medium to short cropping season Good yield potential 1st rainy season, start norm. end of March: M. mat. maize like H 511-518; m. mat. beans, potatoes, sweet potatoes, m. mat. sunflower like Hybrid S 301 A, cabbages, kales, tomatoes, onions 2nd rainy season, start norm. mid Oct.: E. mat. maize like Katumani Comp. B, Meru foxtail millet, m. mat. sorghum like 2 KX 17; e. mat. beans, sweet potatoes (Aug./S.-Jan.); m. mat. sunflower like Hybrid S 301 A; kales, cabbages, onions, tomatoes Whole year: Arabica coffee; bananas, citrus, avocados, passion fruit, loquats, mountain paw paws, guavas (pink), Macadamia nuts Fair yield potential 2nd rainy season: M. mat. maize like (Aug./S.-Jan/F.), finger millet; e. mat. potatoes Whole year: Cassava, sugar cane in lower and wet places (valleys), coffee on less suitable soils; peaches and apricots MACHAKOS & MAKUENI COUNTY 12

Pasture and forage 0.6 - 1.0 ha/LU on secondary pasture of star grass (Cynodon dactylon), down to about 0.2 ha/LU feeding Napier or Bana grass with banana leaves and other forage

UM 2 = Cattle - Sheep - Barley Zone m/s + m/s with two medium to short cropping seasons Very small, yield potential in 1st rainy season like UM 3 m/s + s/m, in 2nd rainy season like UM 2 m + m/s. Yields of perennial crops and stocking rates like UM 2 m + m/s less 10%. UM 3 = Marginal Coffee Zone UM 3 Marginal Coffee Zone m/s + with a medium to short and a short to medium cropping season s/m Good yield potential 1st rainy season, start norm. end of March: E. mat maize like Katumani Comp. B (60-70%), e. mat. sorghum like KARI Mtama 1, ratoon of e. mat. sorghum from previous 2nd rainy season (70-80%); m. mat. sunflower like Kenya Fedha or Shaba; onions, cabbages 2nd rainy season, start norm. mid Oct.: E. mat. foxtail and proso millet (70-80%), e. mat. sorghum, e. mat. sunflower like 252 Whole year: Pineapples (lower places), Macadamia nuts, castor, guavas (pink), sweet potatoes Fair yield potential 1st rainy season: M. mat. maize H 511-518, finger millet; e. mat. beans, sweet potatoes; kales, tomatoes 2nd rainy season: Late mat. maize (Nov-June), Katumani Comp. B maize; e. mat. beans (50-60%), sweet potatoes; cabbages, kales, tomatoes Whole year: Arabica coffee (lower places poor, there addit. irrigation profitable), bananas, paw paws, passion fruits, citrus, in higher places peaches and apricots MACHAKOS & MAKUENI COUNTY 13

Pasture and forage 0.7-1.2 ha/LU on secondary high grass savanna with Zebra grass (Hyparrhennia rufa) and star grass (Cynodon dactylon); down to ~ 0.2 ha/LU feeding Napier or Bana grass (if well manured), maize stalks and other forage UM 3 Marginal Coffee Zone s/m + s/m with two short to medium cropping seasons Good yield potential 1st rainy season, start norm. end of March: Maize like KCB (60%); dwarf sunflower, e. mat. sunflower like 252 (60-70%); e. mat. cabbages, onions 2nd rainy season and whole year like UM 3 m/s + s/m. Fair yield potential similar as UM 2 m/s + s/m but coffee and bananas mostly marginal; stocking rates on medium grass savanna a bit less than above

UM 4 = Maize - Sunflower Zone UM 4 = Sunflower - Maize Zone s + s with two short cropping seasons (see Diagram Makabete) Good yield potential 1st rainy season, start norm. end of March: Katumani Comp. B maize (~60%), e. mat. sorghum like KARI Mtama 1, ratoon of sorghum; e. mat. beans; sunflower like Hybrid S 345 (below 1500 m) or 252 (above 1500 m); tomatoes, onions 2nd rainy season, start norm. mid of Oct.: The same, ratoon sorghum (Nov.-June) Whole year: Sisal MACHAKOS & MAKUENI COUNTY 14

Fair yield potential 1st rainy season: Finger millet; e. mat. cowpeas, bonavist beans (dolichos); sweet potatoes 2nd rainy season: The same as in st1 rainy season Whole year: Cassava (up to 1500 m), Macadamia nuts, pigeon peas, citrus, pineapples, paw paws, castor Pasture and forage 1-2 ha/LU on high grass savanna with Zebra grass (Hyparrhenia rufa) predominant; about 1 ha/LU on artificial pasture of Boma Rhodes; down to about 0.25 ha/LU feeding Bana grass (if well manured) and planting horse tamarind (Leucaena leucocephala) and saltbush (Atriplex nummularia) as best palatable shrubs

UM 4 = Sunflower - Maize Zone s/vs + s/vs with two short to very short cropping seasons Good yield potential 1st rainy season: V. e. mat. barley (above 1500 m), e. mat. sorghum like KARI Mtama 1 (~60%); dwarf sunflower, chick peas (on heavy black soils in lower places) 2nd rainy season: Dryland Comp. maize (~60%), e. mat. foxtail and proso millet, v.e. mat. barley (above 1500 m), v.e. mat. sorghum (up to 1800 m, 60-70%); dwarf sunflower (60-70%) Whole year: Sisal Fair yield potential 1st rainy season: Dryland Comp. maize (50-60%), Katumani maize (~40%), ratoon of e. mat. sorghum; e. mat. beans (40-50%), v. e. mat. cowpeas (50-60%, below 1500 m) 2nd rainy season: The same as in st1 rainy season plus ratoon sorghum (50-60%, Nov.-June) Whole year: Castor Pasture and forage Stocking rates 10-20% less than UM 4 s + s

UM 5 = Livestock - Sorghum Zone UM 5 = Livestock - Sorghum Zone vs/s + vs with a very short to short and a very short cropping season (see Diagram Potha Estate) Fair yield potential 1st rainy season, start norm. end of March: V. e. mat. sorghum like IS 8595, dwarf sorghum; chick peas (on heavy black soils in lower places); dwarf sunflower, rai (oilseed Brassica juncea from Jodhpur) 2nd rainy season, start norm. begin of Nov.: Yields a bit less, sunflower poor Poor yield potential 1st rainy season: Dryland Comp. (30-40%) and Katumani maize (20-30%); v. e. mat. beans like Katheka 1 Pasture and forage 1.8 - 3 ha/LU on short grass savanna with red oats grass (Themeda traindra) predominant. No forage cultivation necessary on good grassland soils, on degraded pastures and stony soils saltbush (Atriplex nummularia) and other fodder plants (see Table XII) advisable

UM 5 = Livestock - Sorghum Zone (vs/s) + vu with a (weak) very short to short cropping season and a very uncertain one Fair yield potential 1st rainy season like UM 5 vs/s + vs but less a third 2nd rainy season too small and unreliable Poor yield potential 1st rainy season: Dryland Comp. (20-30%) and Katumani maize (~20%); Katheka beans (20-30%) Pasture and forage 2 - 5-4 ha/LU on short grass savanna with buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) predominant. MACHAKOS & MAKUENI COUNTY 15

UM 6 = Upper Midland Ranching Zone UM 6 = Upper Midland Ranching Zone br with bimodal rainfall No rainfed agriculture advisable. Limited irrigation near Athi River Pasture and forage About 4 ha/LU on nearly treeless short grass savanna. Dominating black soils not suitable for fodder shrubs. Especially short rains are diminishing considerably west of hillsides.

LM = LOWER MIDLAND ZONES

LM 3 = Cotton Zone LM 3 = Cotton Zone s + s with two short cropping seasons Very good yield potential 2nd rainy season, start norm. mid of Oct.: E. mat. proso millet like Serere Good yield potential 1st rainy season, starts norm. end of March: Dryland Comp. maize, ratoon of e. mat. sorghum, e. mat. bulrush millet (but not recommended), e. mat. foxtail millet like 1 Se 285, finger millet; e. mat. beans, e. mat. cow peas, chick peas (on heavy black soils), e. mat. grams like KVR 22; e. mat. sunflower like Hybrid S 345 2nd rainy season: DLC maize, e. mat. sorghum like 2 KX 17, e. mat. bulrush millet; green grams, e. mat. cowpeas, pigeon peas (Oct.-Sep.), dwarf sunflower Whole year, best planting time end of Oct.: Sisal, castor like C 15, paw paws, guavas MACHAKOS & MAKUENI COUNTY 16

Fair yield potential 1st rainy season: E. mat. maize like Katumani Comp. B; dolichos beans (50-60%), e. mat. groundnuts like Makulu Red in light soils, e. mat. soya beans; sweet potatoes; Virginia tobacco; tomatoes, onions 2nd rainy season: Katumani Comp. B maize, dolichos beans, e. mat. beans, e. mat. groundnuts; cotton bimodal var. (end of Sep./Oct-Aug.), e. mat. sunflower Whole year: Cassava, pineapples, mangoes, Macadamia nuts, bananas, lemons, passion fruits Poor yield potential 2nd rainy season: Virginia tobacco; e. mat. sweet potatoes Pasture and forage 0.8 - 1.9 ha/LU on high grass savanna with Zebra grass (Hyparrhenia rufa) predominant, down to than 0.3 ha/LU feeding Bana grass, Siratro (Macroptilium atropupureum), horse tamarind (Leucaena leucocephala), a. o. (see Table XII) LM 3 = Cotton Zone s + s with two short cropping seasons Small, potential nearly as LM 3 s + s less about 10%. First rains are smaller and less reliable than 2nd rains. LM 4 = Marginal Cotton Zone LM 4 = Marginal Cotton Zone s/vs + with two short to very short cropping seasons s/vs Good yield potential 1st rainy season, start norm. end of March: Dryland Comp. maize ( on contour ridges, 60- 70%), ratoon of e. mat. sorghum like Serena or v. e. mat. like IS 8595 (70-80%), e. mat. bulrush millet (awned var .preferred), e. mat. foxtail or proso millet (70-80%); e. mat. beans like Mwezi moja (~60%); v. e. mat. cowpeas, black and green grams, chick peas (on heavy black soils); e. mat. sunflower like Issanka (~60%), rai (oilseed); v. e. mat. pumpkins 2nd rainy season, starts norm. end of Oct.: The same but planting the sorghum (for ratoon in next. r.) Whole year, best planting time end of Oct.: Sisal, cassava, buffalo gourds(on sandy soils) and Marama beans (both still experimental), Vigna, castor like C 15 (~60%) Fair yield potential 1st rainy season: Katumani maize (on contour ridges), m. mat. sorghum; e. mat. soya beans, dolichos beans, e. mat. bambarra groundnuts (on light poor soils); sweet potatoes; onions, tomatoes 2nd rainy season: The same and cotton bimodal var. (Oct.-Aug., on good soils, otherwise poor); pigeon peas Whole year: Macadamia nuts Safe yields in also dry years with runoff-catching agriculture (Fig. 2.6.1, p. 49). Pasture and forage 2 - 3.5 ha/LU on mixed undestroyed medium grass savanna with Makueni guinea (Panicum maximum) and Red oats grass (Themeda triandra) predominant; if degraded reseeding with Maasai love grass, buffel grass and Makueni guinea, and planting saltbush (Atriplex nummularia), horse tamarind and Mesquite (Prosopis juliflora)as palatable shrubs, and applering acacias (Gao tree, Ac. albida) for fruits and leaves; silage of fodder sorghum, vines of moth beans, and others (see Table XII)

LM 4 = Marginal Cotton Zone vs/s + with a very short to short and a short to very short cropping season s/vs Good yield potential 1st rainy season, start norm. end of March: E. mat. proso millet like Serere 1; e. mat. foxtail millet like 1 Se 285; v. e. mat. Katheka beans, v. e. mat cow peas, v. e. mat. grams like KVR 26, tepary beans, v. e. mat. soya beans, v. e. mat pumpkins 2nd rainy season, starts norm. end of Oct./Nov.: E. mat. foxtail millet; v. e. mat cowpeas, green grams, Katheka beans, tepary beans, v. e. mat. soya beans like Nyala, chick peas (on heavy black soils); v. e. mat. pumpkins Whole year:Buffalo gourdsand Marama beans (both on sandy soils, still experimental) MACHAKOS & MAKUENI COUNTY 17

Fair yield potential 1st rainy season: Dryland Comp. maize (~40%), v. e. mat. sorghum like KARI Mtama 1, e. mat. bulrush millet like Serere Comp. II; black grams, v. e. mat. cowpeas, chick peas (on heavy black soils); dwarf sunflower, rai (oilseed) 2nd rainy season: Dryland Comp. maize (~50%), v. .e mat. sorghum like KARI Mtama 1, e. mat. bulrush millet (50-60%); pigeon peas (Nov. - Aug., 40-50%), Mwezi moja beans, dolichos beans, black grams; e. mat. soya beans, cotton (on very good soils 40-50%, otherwise poor); sweet potatoes; tomatoes, onions Whole year: Cassava (40-50%), castor C-15 Pasture and forage 2.5 - 4 ha/LU on medium to short grass savanna and bushland; if degraded improvable like LM 4 s/vs + s/vs; down to 0.3 ha/LU with silage of fodder sorghum or hay of moth beans vines, fodder plants like in LM 4 s/vs + s/vs, and others (see Table XII)

LM 4 = Marginal Cotton Zone vs/s + with two very short to short cropping seasons vs/s (see Diagram Makueni, Kampi ya Mawe) Good yield potential 1st rainy season, start norm. end of March: As in LM 4 vs/s + s/vs, see above 2nd rainy season, starts norm. end of Oct.: E. mat. proso millet like Serere 1; e. mat. foxtail millet like 1 Se 285; Katheka beans, v. e. mat. cowpeas, v. e. mat. grams like KVRE 26, tepary beans, moth beans; v. e. mat. pumpkins Whole year: Buffalo gourds(on sandy soils) and Marama beans (both still experimental), Opuntia (spineless var. for fruits and vegetable, also fodder) Fair yield potential 1st rainy season: Dryland Comp. maize, e. mat. bulrush millet (bird peeling awned var. preferable), e. mat. sorghum, e. mat. proso millet like Serere 1 (50-60%), e. mat. foxtail millet; black and green grams, v. e. mat. cowpeas, chick peas (on heavy black soils); dwarf sunflower, v. e. mat. groundnuts (on light soils) 2nd rainy season: Dryland Comp. maize, e. mat. bulrush millet (nearly 60%), sorghum (nearly 60%), e. mat. foxtail millet (nearly 60%); Mwezi moja beans (40-50%), black and green grams (50-60%), moth beans (50-60%), v. e. mat. cowpeas (50-60%), chick peas (on heavy black soils) (50-60%); rai (oilseed), dwarf sunflower (50-60%), v. e. mat. groundnuts (on light soils) like Makulu Red. Whole year: Sisal , castor like C-15 Poor yield potential 2nd rainy season: Katumani maize (~30%), cotton (Nov.-Aug., ~30%, only on patches of good soils), pigeon peas Yields improve and risk of crop failure reduced by runoff-water harvesting agriculture (see Fig. 2.6.2, p. 50 main volume) Pasture and forage 2.5 - 5 ha/LU depending on degradation on mixed short grass savanna or bushland with buffel gras (Cenchrus ciliaris) and horsetail grass (Chloris roxburghiana) predominant. Down to aboput 0.4 ha/LU with silage of fodder sorghum, hay of moth beans and other forage; saltbush best palatable shrub to improve degraded pasture and to establish fodder reserves for dry seasons or year. Good potential for bee-keeping MACHAKOS & MAKUENI COUNTY 18

LM 5 = Lower Midland Livestock - Millet Zone LM 5 = Lower Midland Livestock - Millet Zone (vs/s) + with a weak very short to short and a very short to short cropping season vs/s Very small. Potential in 1st rainy season ca. 10% less than in LM 4 vs/s + vs/s, cotton poor LM 5 = Lower Midland Livestock - Millet Zone vs + with a very short and a very short to short cropping season vs/s Good yield potential 1st rainy season, start norm. end of March: V. e. mat. grams (on medium soils) 2nd rainy season, start norm. end of Oct.: V. e. mat. foxtail millet like 1 Se 285, Katheka beans (Kat/Beans 1), tepary beans, v. e. mat. cow peas like MTW 610, grams like KVR 26, v. e. mat. soya beans like Nyala Fair yield potential 1st rainy season: V. e. mat. proso millet; v. e. mat. cowpeas and green grams (KVR 26) 2nd rainy season: Dryland Comp. maize, e. mat. pearl millet, e. mat. proso millet (Kat Pro 1), e. mat. bulrush millet like Serere Comp. II, e. mat. sorghum like KARI Mtama-1, e. mat. beans like Rosecoco, e. mat. cowpeas like K80, e. mat. dolichos beans (Kat/DL-1), e. mat. groundnuts like Makulu Red; v. e. mat. pumpkins, e. mat. onions Whole year: Sisal, castor, yeheb nuts Poor yield potential 1st rainy season: Dryland Comp. maize (high risk), diff. millets (see Table 5a); e. mat. dolichos beans, tepary beans and other pulses 2nd rainy season: Finger millet MACHAKOS & MAKUENI COUNTY 19

Pasture and forage As in -LM 4 vs/s + vs/s but ca. 15% lower stocking rates in the 1st rainy season. Grass seeding in fenced plots has proved to be a profitable part of farming (seeds available in Kiboko Range Res. Stn.)

LM 5 = Livestock - Millet Zone (vs) + with a weak very short and a very short to short cropping season vs/s (See Diagram Kibwezi and Tables 5a and b and using runoff-water harvesting techniques, see Fig. 2.6.2 in Chapter 2.6, p. 50 in main volume) Good yield potential (except for green grams only on occuring Ferralsols) 2nd rainy season, start end of Oct.: V. e. mat. foxtail millet; Katheka beans, v. e. mat. cowpeas, v. e. mat. green grams (KVR 26), tepary beans, moth beans, v. e. mat. soya beans (Nyala), v. e. mat. rai (oilseed) Whole year: Buffalo gourds(on light soils) and Marama beans (both still exp.) Fair yield potential 1st rainy season, start end of March: on Ferralsols: V. e. mat. proso millet, hog millet, green grams (KVR 26) 2nd rainy season, on Ferralsols: Dryland Comp. maize, e. mat. proso millet (KatPro 1), e. mat. finger millet (Kat/FM 1), pearl millet (Kat PM 1-3), e. mat. bulrush millet like Serere Comp. II, e. mat. sorghum; v. e. mat. cowpeas (K 80), black grams, chick peas (on heavy black soils); e. mat. dolichos beans, e. mat. beans, e. mat. groundnuts; v. e. mat. pumpkins, e. mat. onions; on Luvi- & Acrisols: Same cereals except DLC maize plus pulses from good potential (except KVR 26) Whole year: Castor C- 15, sisal, e. mat. cassava, yeheb nuts Poor yield potential 1st rainy season, start norm. end of March: V. e. mat. foxtail millet, v. e. mat. proso millet (on Luvi- & Acrisols); tepary beans (more crops see Tables 5a & b) 2nd rainy season: KCB maize, finger millet, e. mat. sorghum (more crops see Tables 5a & b) Pasture and forage 3.5-5.5 ha/LU on undisturbed natural pasture, if degraded well improvable with horsetail grass (Chloris roxburghiana) and grazing rotation; down to less than 0.7 ha/LU with saltbush, Mesquite (Prosopis juliflora) and Algarrobo (Pr. chilensis), moth bean vines as hay, silage of fodder sorghum for dry seasons, and other fodder plants (see Table XII)

LM 5 = Livestock - Millet Zone vs + vs with two very short cropping seasons Fair yield potential 1st rainy season, start norm. end of March: V. e. mat. foxtail and hog millet; v. .e. mat green grams (KVR 26), v. e. mat. cowpeas, moth beans, chick peas (on heavy black soils), v. e. mat. bambarra groundnuts (on light soils); v. e. mat. pumpkins 2nd rainy season, start end of Oct.: same crops but less crop failures Whole year: Buffalo gourds (on light soils) and Marama beans (both still experimental) Pasture and forage Almost as in LM 5 (vs) + vs/s but ca. 15% lower stocking rate in 2nd rainy season.

LM 5 = Livestock - Millet Zone vu + vs/s with a very uncertain first cropping season and a very short to short second one Small, potential see Tables 5c & d, Makindu, and this subzone in Kitui district (diagram of Makindu in Chapter 2.5 of main volume)

LM 5 = Livestock - Millet Zone vu + vs with a very uncertain first cropping season3) and a very short second one Fair to good yield potential 2nd rainy season, start norm. begin of Nov.: V. e. mat. foxtail and hog millet Whole year: Buffalo gourds (on light soils) and Marama beans (both still experimental)) MACHAKOS & MAKUENI COUNTY 20

Fair yield potential 2nd rainy season: E. mat. bulrush millet (~40%), v. e. mat. sorghum (~40%); moth beans, v. e. mat. green grams (KVR 26), v. e. mat. cowpeas, chick peas (on heavy black soils); v. e. mat. bambarra groundnuts (on light soils); v. e. mat. pumpkins Risk of total failure of maize: 6 out of 10 seasons Whole year: Sisal (40-50%), castor, yeheb nuts Poor yield potential 2nd rainy season: V. e. mat. proso millet, e. mat. dolichos beans, e. mat. onions Runoff-catching agriculture see Fig. 2.6.2, p. 50 main volume Pasture and forage 3.5-5.0 ha/LU, down to about 0.8 ha/LU with silage of fodder sorghum and hay of moth bean vines, grass and palatable shrubs as saltbush and others (see Table XII)

LM 6 = Lower Midland Ranching Zone LM 6 = Lower Midland Ranching Zone br with bimodal rainfall No rainfed agriculture possible with runoff-catching techniques (see fig. 2.6.2 main volume). Limited small-scale irrigation possibilities 4-5 ha/LU on undisturbed grass savanna MACHAKOS & MAKUENI COUNTY 21

IL = INNER LOWLAND ZONES

IL 5 = Inner Lowland Livestock-Millet Zone IL 5 = Inner Lowland Livestock-Millet Zone vu + vs with a very uncertain first cropping season and a very short second one Very small, potential nearly the same as in LM 5 vu + vs, few possibilities for irrigation and ground water use (even for bananas) near Athi River

IL 6 = Inner Lowland Ranching Zone

Conditions as in LM 6 br, but at least 4.5 ha/LU

End notes 1) Not advisable to small scale farmers here 2) Measured according to pyrethrine content which is low because of high air moisture and relatively low altitude 3) It means the probability for a minimum growing period of at least 45 days is less than 60%. Cultivation is therefore too risky except with special techniques (see Fig. 2.6.2, p. 50 main volume) MACHAKOS & MAKUENI COUNTY 22

TABLES 5: CLIMATIC YIELD POTENTIALS IN MARGINAL AND SEMI-ARID SUBZONES

TABLES 5a: CLIMATIC YIELD POTENTIALS OF SEASONAL CROPS1) in LM 5 (vs) + vs/s (calc. for station 9237002 Kibwezi Dwa Plant. with locally occuring Ferralsols)

First rainy season Second rainy season (start end of March till end of April) (start end of October till end of November) Total Estim. Total crop Estim. Yield crop average failure average Potential failure Crop variety yield out of 10 Crop variety yield (kg/ (in % of out of 10 (kg/ha)2) seasons ha)2) optimum) seasons Very good (80-100%) Foxtail millet (ISe 285) 1990 0 Tepary beans 790 0 Katheka beans (Kat/Bean 1) 730 1 Cowpeas (HB48/10E) 800 1 Good Cowpeas (60-80%) (MTW 63; MTW 610) 930 1 Moth beans (Jodhpur) 1030 0 Grams (KVR 26) 760 0 Grams (Kat Dengu 26) 650 0 Soyabeans (Nyala) 1610 0 Proso millet (Serere 1) 1020 2 Maize (DLC) 1070 0 Hog millet (Jodhpur) 610 2 Finger millet (Kat/FM 1) 490 0 Grams (KVR 26) 440 2 Pearl millet (Kat/PM1, PM2) 1230 0 Pearl millet (Kat/PM3) 960 0 Proso millet (Kat/Pro 1) 960 0 Bulrush millet (Serere Comp. II) 1940 0 Sorghum (Seredo) 1150 0 Sorghum (KARI Mtama-1) 1450 0 Fair Katheka beans (Kat X 56) 750 1 (40-60%) Beans (Mwitemania) 550 1 Beans (Mwezi moja) 590 1 Beans (Rosecoco) 720 1 Cowpeas (K 80) 1000 1 Green grams 700 1 Black grams 780 0 Dolichos beans (Kat/DL-1) 1040 0 Chickpeas 840 0 Groundnuts (Makulu Red) 1220 1 Maize (DLC) 540 3 Maize (KCB) 1240 1 Pearl millet (Kat/PM1, PM2) 550 2 Finger millet (Ekalakala) 1040 1 Pearl millet (Kat/PM3) 430 2 Foxtail millet (Kat/Fox-1) 590 1 Proso millet (Kat/Pro 1) 430 2 Sorghum (IS 8595) 1410 1 Foxtail millet (ISe 285) 910 2 Sorghum (Serena) 1300 1 Poor Tepary beans 400 3 Sorghum (IS 76) 650 1 (20 - 40%) Moth beans (Jodhpur) 500 2 Black grams 340 3 Grams (Kat Dengu 26) 310 2 Dolichos beans (Kat/DL-1) 450 3 Chickpeas 370 3 Soyabeans (Nyala) 790 3 1) Only crops listed with total crop failures (TCF) generally less than 33 % (yield estimates acc. to calculations with MARCROP model of Hornetz; see Methodology in Vol. II/M of the handbook). 2) Well manured, fertilized and protected. Water loss as surface runoff is stopped by contour ridges. Calculated with MARCROP. MACHAKOS & MAKUENI COUNTY 23

TABLES 5b: CLIMATIC YIELD POTENTIALS OF SEASONAL CROPS1) in LM 5 (vs) + vs/s (calc. for station 9237002 Kibwezi Dwa Plant. with locally occuring Luvi-/Acrisols)

First rainy season Second rainy season (start end of March till end of April) (start end of October till end of November) Total Estim. Total crop Estim. Yield crop average failure average Potential failure Crop variety yield out of 10 Crop variety yield (kg/ (in % of out of 10 (kg/ha)2) seasons ha)2) optimum) seasons Very good (80-100%) Good Foxtail millet (Jodhpur) 1180 0 (60-80%) Grams (KVR 26) 670 0 Finger millet (Kat/FM 1) 410 1 Pearl millet (Kat/PM1, PM2) 1030 1 Pearl millet (Kat/PM3) 800 1 Proso millet (Kat Pro 1) 800 1 Bulrush millet (Serere Comp. II) 1630 1 Foxtail millet (ISe 285) 1650 0 Tepary beans 670 1 Katheka beans (Kat/Bean 1) 600 2 Fair Katheka beans (Kat X 56) 630 1 (40-60%) Cowpeas (HB48/10E) 580 2 Cowpeas (MTW 63; MTW 610) 720 1 Cowpeas (K 80) 740 1 Moth beans (Jodhpur) 890 1 Black grams 610 1 Grams (Kat Dengu 26) 550 1 Dolichos beans (Kat/DL-1) 810 1 Chickpeas 700 1 Soyabeans (Nyala) 1350 1 Proso millet (Serere I) 630 2 Maize (DLC) 930 1 Foxtail millet (ISe 285) 690 3 Maize (KCB) 930 1 Tepary beans 290 3 Finger millet (Ekalakala) 780 1 Moth beans (Jodhpur) 330 3 Foxtail millet (Kat/Fox-1) 430 1 Grams (KVR 26) 340 2 Sorghum (Serena) 980 1 Poor Grams (Kat Dengu 26) 210 3 Sorghum (IS 8595) 1060 1 (20 - 40%) Sorghum (IS 76) 570 1 Sorghum (Seredo) 850 1 Sorghum (KARI Mtama-1) 1070 1 Beans (Mwitemania) 330 3 Green grams 560 1 Groundnuts (Makulu Red) 850 1 1) Only crops listed with total crop failures (TCF) generally less than 33 % (yield estimates acc. to calculations with MARCROP model of Hornetz; see Methodology in Vol. II/M of the handbook). 2) Well manured, fertilized and protected. Water loss as surface runoff is stopped by contour ridges. Calculated with MARCROP. MACHAKOS & MAKUENI COUNTY 24

TABLES 5c: CLIMATIC YIELD POTENTIALS OF SEASONAL CROPS1) in LM 5 vu + vs/s (calc. for station 9237000 Makindu Met. Stn. with locally occuring Ferralsols)

First rainy season Second rainy season (start end of March till end of April) (start end of October till end of November) Total Estim. Total crop Estim. Yield crop average failure average Potential failure Crop variety yield out of 10 Crop variety yield (kg/ (in % of out of 10 (kg/ha)2) seasons ha)2) optimum) seasons Very good (80-100%) Good Foxtail millet (Jodhpur) 1080 0 (60-80%) Grams (KVR 26) 650 0 Maize (DLC) 1360 0 Maize (KCB) 1530 0 Finger millet (Kat/FM 1) 430 0 Pearl millet (Kat/PM1, PM2) 1160 0 Pearl millet (Kat/PM 3) 910 0 Proso millet (Kat Pro 1) 910 0 Bulrush millet (Serere Comp. II) 1700 0 Foxtail millet (ISe 285) 1690 0 Sorghum (Seredo) 1230 0 Sorghum (KARI Mtama-1) 1540 0 Tepary beans 630 1 Katheka beans (Kat/Bean 1) 620 2 Fair (40-60%) Katheka beans (Kat X 56) 660 2 Cowpeas (HB48/10E) 630 2 Cowpeas (MTW 63; MTW 610) 760 2 Cowpeas (K 80) 850 2 Moth beans (Jodhpur) 880 1 Green grams 530 3 Black grams 730 1 Grams (Kat Dengu 26) 580 0 Dolichos beans (Kat/DL-1) 970 1 Chickpeas 770 1 Soyabeans (Nyala) 1425 1 Bambarra groundnuts (N-Cameroon) 540 2 Proso millet (Serere I) 940 2 Finger millet (Ekalakala) 930 2 Foxtail millet (Jodhpur) 580 2 Foxtail millet (Kat/Fox-1) 520 2 Foxtail millet (ISe 285) 790 2 Sorghum (IS 8595) 1260 2 Hog millet (Jodhpur) 500 2 Sorghum (Serena) 1160 2 Poor Moth beans (Jodhpur) 410 3 Sorghum (IS 76) 690 2 (20 - 40%) Grams (KVR 26) 380 2 Beans (Mwitemania) 410 3 Grams (Kat Dengu 26) 250 3 Beans (Mwezi moja) 430 3 Beans (Rosecoco) 570 3 Beans (New Mwezi moja) 270 3 Groundnuts (Makulu Red) 730 3 1) Only crops listed with total crop failures (TCF) generally less than 33 % (yield estimates acc. to calculations with MARCROP model of Hornetz; see Methodology in Vol. II/M of the handbook). 2) Well manured, fertilized and protected. Water loss as surface runoff is stopped by contour ridges. Calculated with MARCROP. MACHAKOS & MAKUENI COUNTY 25

TABLES 5d: CLIMATIC YIELD POTENTIALS OF SEASONAL CROPS1) in LM 5 (vs) + vs/s (calc. for station 9237000 Makindu Met. Stn. with locally occuring Luvi-/Acrisols)

First rainy season Second rainy season (start end of March till end of April) (start end of October till end of November) Yield Estim. Total Estim. Total Potential average crop average crop Crop variety yield failure Crop variety yield failure (in % of (kg/ out of 10 (kg/ out of 10 optimum) ha)2) seasons ha)2) seasons Very good (80-100%) Good (60-80%) Maize (DLC) 1070 1 Foxtail millet (Jodhpur) 930 0 Foxtail millet (Ise 285) 840 0 Tepary beans 510 2 Katheka beans (Kat/Bean 1) 480 2 Fair Cowpeas (HB 48/10E) 480 2 (40-60%) Cowpeas (MTW63; MTW 610) 600 2 Moth beans (Jodhpur) 690 2 Grams (KVR 26) 530 1 Grams (Kat Dengu 26) 480 2 Soyabeans (Nyala) 1110 2 Bambarra groundnuts (N-Cameroon) 410 2 Proso millet (Serere 1) 740 3 Maize (KCB) 1160 1 Foxtail millet (Jodhpur) 42 3 Finger millet (Ekalakala) 680 3 Foxtail millet (Ise 285) 600 3 Finger millet (Kat/FM 1) 370 2 Hog millet (Jodhpur) 390 3 Pearl millet (Kat/PM1, PM2) 900 2 Grams (KVR 26) 340 2 Pearl millet (Kat/PM 3) 700 2 Proso millet (Kat Pro 1) 700 2 Bulrush millet (Serere Comp. II) 1480 2 Foxtail millet (Kat/Fox-1) 420 3 Sorghum (Serena) 850 3 Poor (20 - 40%) Sorghum (IS 8595) 920 3 Sorghum (IS 76) 560 3 Sorghum (Seredo) 960 1 Sorghum (KARI/Mtama-1) 1210 1 Katheka beans (Kat X 56) 540 3 Cowpeas (K 80) 680 3 Green grams 450 3 Black grams 560 1 Dolichos beans (Kat/DL-1) 740 1 Chickpeas 580 1 1) Only crops listed with total crop failures (TCF) generally less than 33 % (yield estimates acc. to calculations with MARCROP model of Hornetz; see Methodology in Vol. II/M of the handbook). 2) Well manured, fertilized and protected. Water loss as surface runoff is stopped by contour ridges. Calculated with MARCROP. MACHAKOS & MAKUENI COUNTY 26

Appendix: Diagrams of Growing Periods in Semi-arid Zones Showing the Variability ------106 50 369 80 168 50 180 60 271 60 396 110 205 50 2nd AHP 70 365 100 75 60 ------244 70 340 80 325 80 459 110 139 50531 110 200 80 543 170 197 50 395 100 258 80 457 80 295 60299 348 70 (172) 80 (60) 261 378 80 262 70 370 90 361 110 775122 80 60 317 80 360 80 525 120 425 70 1st AHP 299 262 Rainfall / c.& leg. gr.p. ### ### 333 303 w = weak m = moderate s = strong Ew Aw NEm 440 70 304 100 As Aw Am NN 191 50 442 179 90 60 153 70 Ew Ew N Aw Ew Es N 347 80 600 130 N Es Ew N 333 100 204 70 Ew As Em N 250 60 303 90 N 256 70 N Ew N Am Am Aw Am Ew Am N 336 110 Es Ew NN 152 70 281 863 80 110 374 110 N 408 80 238 70 Em fall in AHP Median rain- 60%-reliable length of AHP rainf. in AHP's ENSO-class. 87/88 84/85 85/86 86/87 88/89 83/84 75/76 80/81 81/82 76/77 77/78 89/90 74/75 79/80 82/83 78/79 56/57 57/58 58/59 59/60 90/91 73/74 72/73 71/72 60/61 Year 52/51 52/53 53/54 54/55 55/56 64/65 70/71 63/64 65/66 66/67 91/92 69/70 61/62 62/63 67/68 68/69 0 g g g 0 g 0 0 g 29 65 0 0 g 0 0 0 0 g g 0 0 g 55 55 54 55 g0 g0 0 g 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 g g 0 0 g 0 0g 0 g 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 g g g g g g 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 g g g = El-Nino-year (ENSO) = Anti-ENSO-year 0 0 0 0 g g g 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 66 130 130 172 182 182 33 33 174 196 196 E A ENSO-classification: N = Normal-year g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g December January February 50 85 159 168 168 55 163 164 164 87 120 142 222 250 253 268 303 303 55 145 168 176 257 262 262 g g g g g g g g g 74 118 160 161 167 32 74 80 166 192 193 200 59 115 128 154 208 208 275 303 327 327 374 393 455 554 653 717 774 775 775 November g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g 76 8846 181 50 260 94 305 106 308 106 338 340 77 132 198 206 259 284 284 376 377 36 45 158 163 203 204 204 98 105 138 172 176 180 42 81 109 140 164 172 39 100 193 205 205 84 141 276 367 425 425 425 110 134 151 157 179 179 g g g g g g 34 87 135 154 177 243 322 339 437 455 459 48 63 91 124 179 185 245 303 303 304 87 108 132 193 279 286 322 360 360 365 35 58 90 90 122 134 153 48 77 119 169 232 292 292 307 328 483 587 593 600 40 53 101 180 275 339 348 348 48 126 245 256 315 344 366 368 368 396 396 31 165 181 186 197 78 78 138 199 238 238 238 114 255 284 325 338 359 369 369 107 173 202 253 263 271 115 247 510 604 605 654 763 815 815 854 863 g g g g 51 106 128 210 358 441 455 457 102 132 198 240 282 307 317 317 g g g g Subzone: during agro-humid period in mm s/vs + vs/s September October g g g g g August 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 000000000000 July 000000000000 00000000000000 000000000000 0000000000000 0000000000000 00000000000 g g g g 00000000000000 g g 0g 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 g g g g 0000000000000 0000000000000 g g g g 00000000000000 000000000000 0000000000000000 000000000000 00000000000000 000000000000 June 00000000000000 00000000000000 000000000000000 g 00000000000000g g 00000000000000 00000000000000 000000000000000 g 000000000000000 =agro-humid period (AHP) minimum 40 days =grass growing period only g g g g g g g g g g g g May g g g g g g 57 167 207 219 239 243 244 88 110 133 139 139 71 102 180 182 191 82 17078 219 187 277 244 295 272 295 289 297 299 60 201 217 249 250 250 April 86 255 258 323 336 400 408 408 g g 77 84 309 356 440 440 440 30 126 149 224 247 258 261 65 98 136 158 215 245 258 258 87 192 201 226 256 256 256 31 49 99 117 117 122 44 89 110 112 129 152 152 41 203 253 293 331 354 358 360 42 54 92 150 193 281 281 281 138 202 212 276 311 335 369 370 370 1600m UM 4 0 ggggggggggggg g g 39 98 149 219 302 320 323 325 42 172 219 350 354 406 441 442 442 43 119 200 256 323 341 347 347 66 78 221 268 291 339 347 383 395 395 March 0 g g0 g g g 0 000000000000000000000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 g 0 0 0 0 000000000000000000000000 g g g g g gg g g g0 g g g g g g 000000000000000000000000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 g g g g g g g g g g g g 7 11 20 21 27 27 27 27 25 16 8 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 14 23 27 29 30 29 26 20 16 13 8 7 7 86 100 129 297 360 444 483 531 531 531 40 55 140 169 191 221 244 333 333 333 67 67 8998 149 109 314 174 373 205 374 266 378 316 329 334 336 28 24 15 13 7 7 7 7 9 19 27 34 34 34 34 35 35 35 35 35 35 35 33 21 11 7 5 3 4 7 12 17 20 25 26 26 107 107 201 360 397 437 443 471 471 474 495 506 539 542 543 393 457 477 477 506 578 596147 629 227 729 281 731 288 735 311 443 471 475 508 525 525 20% 31% 57% 62% 79% 79% 79% 79% 74% 46% 23% 3% 3% 3% 3% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 6% 40% 68% 79% 85% 90% 86% 73% 40% 48% 39% 24% 21% 21% 66% reliab. of 88/89 85/86 86/87 87/88 89/90 84/85 76/77 81/82 82/83 77/78 78/79 75/76 83/84 79/80 57/58 58/59 59/60 60/61 90/91 74/75 73/74 72/73 52/53 53/54 54/55 55/56 56/57 52/51 91/92 65/66 64/65 66/67 71/72 61/62 62/63 63/64 67/68 68/69 69/70 Year Katumani Exp. Res. Station 9137089 Station no. Altitude AEZ Cereal and legumes growing period Dry conditions precipitation Cumulated Ew Aw N Em As Aw Am N N Ew Ew Aw Es N N Es Ew N N As Em N Ew 80/81 N Ew N Am Am Am Ew #AHP cond. %AHP/valid y. m. grass gr.p. median AHP Aw Ew Am Am N ENSO-class. to August 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 1 2 3 4 5 6 since August mm days mm days Ew 70/71 N N N N #no AH cond. Em MACHAKOS & MAKUENI COUNTY 27 ) 120 ( ------445 60 272 80 577 110 185 50 343 70 2nd AHP (236) (50) (666) 60 60 ------274 70 506 80 114 50 191 90 491 80 240 80 479 80 230 60 311 120 703 130 419 70 291 60 (367) (60) 262 90 242 60 307 70 345 100 179 50 162 60 353 70 352 90 Rainfall / c.& leg. gr.p. 1st AHP 240 343 ### ### 282 345 m = moderate w = weak s = strong Ew N (178) (60) 234 70 N Es N 591 90 Ew Es N 196 80 154 50 N 303 80 N 185 70 647 60 Aw Aw Ew N 354 70 359 90 N 149Aw 60 345 100 Am N 383 90 Em N 360 80 399 60 Ew Em NEw 230 70 475 90 Ew As Am N 347 80 284 90 Em As Aw Am Ew Ew N fall in AHP Median rain- 60%-reliable r length of AHP rainf. in AHP's ENSO-class. ea Y 79/80 80/81 56/57 57/58 81/82 58/59 82/83 59/60 60/61 61/62 83/84 84/85 63/64 85/86 62/63 64/65 65/66 66/67 86/87 67/68 87/88 68/69 89/90 90/91 69/70 88/89 70/71 71/72 72/73 73/74 74/75 75/76 77/78 76/77 78/79 g 0 0 0 g 72 71 30 g 48 77 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 g g g 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 g g g 0 0 77 149 149 63 112 129 g g g g g g g g g 0 0 0 0 g 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 g g g g g 0 0 0 0 0 0 g g g g g g g g g g 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 = Anti-ENSO-year = El-Nino-year (ENSO) A E N = Normal-year ENSO-classification: 0 0 0 0 0 0 g 97 159 159 159 g g g g g g December January February g g g g 0 66 103 114 194 244 244 244 284 284 107 108 154 154 154 g 38 66 150 183 236 55 177 186 213 276 276 280 311 345 345 215 292 353 414 452 491 491 491 121 174 339 345 403 473 479 479 116 204 250 302 328 335 343 November g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g 98 140 176 196 234 234 234 48 72 195 233 233 233 260 272 50 114 294 369 419 419 419 66 125 144 151 185 278 278 316 342 345 28 119 150 234 316 357 49 157 215 240 240 242 39 79 79 149 154 162 41 76 130 266 333 335 391 471 634 664 665 666 259 305 308 312 339 410 143 183 328 430 439 445 124 141 167 185 185 g g g g g g g g g 56 120 132 231 270 312 319 359 359 72 109 129 221 422 433 460 475 475 173 194 218 399 399 399 g g g g g g 39 216 409 633 644 647 39 68 121 215 234 238 311 311 311 59 206 252 313 362 393 438 441 552 577 577 105 134 141 234 381 492 501 506 0 0 0 g g Subzone: during agro-humid period in mm vs/s + September October 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 August 000000000000 July 000000000000 000000000000 00000000000000 00000000000000 000000000000 000000000000 0000000000000 000000000000 000000000000 000000000000 000000000000 00000000000000 00000000000000 g g 00000000000000 00000000000000000 June 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0000000000000000 000000000000000000 0 0 0 0 0 0 000000000000 000000000000000 000000000000000 g 0 0 0 0 0 0 minimum 40 days =agro-humid period (AHP) =grass growing period only g 00000000000000 0000000000000000 g 000000000000000 g 0000000000000000 Cereal and legumes growing period Dry conditions Cumulated precipitation 00000000000000000 g g g g g g g g May g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g 29 69 79 149 149 149 49 87 98 116 161 169 170 189 191 150 205 205 206 230 230 April 0 0 0 66 137 137 169 177 178 44 114 143 221 273 274 274 30 88 103 120 185 185 185 41 262 282 302 312 355 360 360 31 161 184 189 195 g g g g g g g g g 75 129 247 268 353 353 354 37 49 191 274 276 347 347 347 110 134 153 167 179 103 197 204 326 340 352 353 1120m LM 4 g g g 0 ggggggggggg 0 0 0 0 64 104 213 241 278 300 300 303 35 43 99 111 114 43 166 237 276 305 305 307 38 46 140 171 226 226 230 155 296 467 510 520 549 590 591 591 122 138 232 273 285 291 March 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 g g0 g 0 g 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 g 0 0 0 0 0 0000000000000000000000 g 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 13 17 22 25 25 24 21 14 9 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 7 18 23 25 25 24 23 16 12 8 6 6 7 55 55 127 128 141 165 188 196 83 100 110 155 192 233 234 240 66 88 119 239 319 341 348 352 96 173 266 280 318 374 404 404 404 22 17 13 10 7 7 7 10 17 23 29 30 29 30 30 28 28 28 30 30 30 29 25 22 12 7 5 5 6 7 13 17 21 25 25 24 149 179 188 340 397 436 442 446 208 273 329 447 504 628 634 646 665 701 701 703 141 146 193 211 229 229 262 262 27% 43% 57% 69% 78% 78% 77% 68% 45% 28% 9% 6% 3% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 14% 24% 60% 77% 83% 83% 80% 77% 55% 41% 28% 19% 19% 23% 66% reliab. of r 79/80 56/57 81/82 57/58 58/59 82/83 59/60 83/84 60/61 61/62 62/63 84/85 85/86 64/65 86/87 63/64 65/66 66/67 67/68 87/88 68/69 88/89 ea 69/70 90/91 89/90 71/72 72/73 73/74 74/75 75/76 76/77 77/78 78/79 Y Makueni Kampi Ya Mawe 9137075 Station name Station no. Altitude AEZ ENSO-class. to August 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30N 31 32 33 34 35 36 1 2 3 4 5 6#AHP cond. since August%AHP/valid y. mm daysm. grass gr.p. mm days median AHP Ew 80/81 Am N N Es N Ew Es N N N Aw Aw Ew N N Aw Am N Em N Ew Em N #no AH cond. Ew 70/71 As Am N Em As Aw Am Ew Ew () Brackets mean it may be more but lack of rainfall records mean it may be more () Brackets MACHAKOS & MAKUENI COUNTY 28

Station name Cereal and legumes growing period Dry conditions Cumulated precipitation ENSO-classification: Kibwezi Dwa Plantation =agro-humid period (AHP) during agro-humid period in mm E = El-Nino-year (ENSO) w = weak Station no. Altitude AEZ min. 40 days Subzone: A = Anti-ENSO-year m = moderate 9237002 914m LM 5 =grass growing period only vs/s + vs/s N = Normal-year s = strong

Year Year Rainfall / c.& leg. gr.p. March April May June July August September October November December January February ENSO-class. ENSO-class. 1st AHP 2nd AHP to August 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 123456 since August mm days mm days

A 30/31 115 149 197 331 346 463 557 559 559 000000000000000088 120 149 310 367 369 369 0 ggg30/31 N 559 90 369 70 N 31/32 ggggggg 00000000000000000051 94 207 207 207 00000031/32 N - - 207 50 N 32/33 g 90 91 128 187 242 268 284 287 g 00000000000000gg138 217 292 324 421 532 536 539 0032/33 N 287 80 539 80 N 33/34 00000000000000000000000gg101 205 427 433 437 00000033/34 N - - 437 50 N 34/35 00000000000000000000000000038 113 113 113 00g 72 116 34/35 N - - 116 50 N 35/36 42 50 62 85 96 98 127 137 g 00000000000000036 70 142 182 201 238 273 274 278 00g 35/36 N 137 80 278 90 N 36/37 g 65 65 125 190 190 208 gg 0000000000000069 101 107 207 272 319 364 364 371 000036/37 N 208 60 371 90 N 37/38 g 36 36 167 204 276 374 416 416 416 000000000000g 49 88 129 243 243 243 000000037/38 N 416 90 243 60 N 38/39 00gg75 99 145 145 153 000000000000000069 192 245 256 329 349 350 g 00038/39 A 153 50 350 70 A 39/40 00ggggggg 000000000000000ggggggggg 0057 39/40 N - - 57 - N 40/41 104 162 167 256 316 330 330 gg 0000000000000000g 127 155 159 187 187 g 000040/41 E 330 70 187 50 E 41/42 gggg74 179 219 220 220 00000000000000076 151 230 457 461 505 535 535 535 ggg41/42 E 220 50 535 90 E 42/43 ggggggggg 0000000000000038 92 116 174 186 186 g 00000042/43 A - - 186 60 A 43/44 00ggggggg 000000000000000ggggggggggg 0 43/44 N---- N 44/45 0063 152 255 255 280 280 g 00000000000000ggg137 222 326 326 326 gg 00044/45 N 280 60 326 50 N 45/46 0000000000000000000000000216 277 320 320 324 00000045/46 N - - 324 50 N 46/47 000ggggg 000000000000000g 92 110 129 185 202 237 284 302 309 309 0046/47 N - - 309 100 N 47/48 158 158 228 239 331 439 487 490 490 000000000000000g 39 111 271 305 427 438 438 000g 47/48 N 490 90 438 70 N 48/49 gggggggg 000000000000000094 128 135 155 300 352 370 370 g 00048/49 N - - 370 80 N 49/50 0000gggg 0000000000000000035 42 106 184 266 266 266 000049/50 A - - 266 70 A 50/51 0 32 115 117 132 gg 000000000000000000060 107 188 192 192 0000050/51 Am 132 40 192 50 Am 52/51 0 34 174 269 353 412 445 486 486 486 000000000000g 53 91 151 188 227 292 357 357 385 385 g 0052/51 N 486 90 385 100 N 52/53 0000000000000000000000083 94 128 151 178 185 253 333 333 333 00052/53 Ew - - 333 100 Ew 53/54 0 g 92 127 154 164 171 g 00000000000000000196 326 326 326 000000053/54 N 171 50 326 40 N 54/55 00071 85 164 179 223 226 282 315 315 315 00000000000073 129 211 216 216 00000054/55 Am 315 100 216 50 Am 55/56 0000gggg 00000000000000000ggg108 115 224 303 322 340 340 g 55/56 Am - - 340 70 Am 56/57 000000000000000000000000188 239 255 296 379 415 56/57 N-- N 57/58 57/58 Es Es 58/59 00058/59 Ew Ew 59/60 38 38 167 180 244 263 263 g 0000000000000000g 46 165 182 209 217 217 gggg 0 59/60 N 263 70 217 60 N 60/61 0 ggggggg 000000000000000000000000000060/61 N---- N 61/62 000gggggg 00000000000ggg59 378 622 685 711 758 821 876 876 876 gg 0 61/62 N - - 876 100 N 62/63 0 104 153 153 195 215 237 237 g 000000000000000gg121 150 189 265 268 268 gggg62/63 N 237 70 268 60 N 63/64 g 57 103 103 165 179 189 196 g 00000000000000047 150 295 396 450 548 617 617 617 ggg63/64 Ew 196 70 617 90 Ew 64/65 ggg129 192 192 192 000000000000000000062 366 468 564 605 607 607 00064/65 Aw 192 40 607 70 Aw 65/66 0000000000000000000000070 98 138 194 216 247 247 251 0 gggg65/66 Am - - 251 80 Am 66/67 g 29 166 227 263 268 272 00000000000000000000gggg 0000066/67 N 272 60 - - N 67/68 00057 266 266 274 000000000000000072 113 139 408 424 424 g 00000171 67/68 N 274 40 424 60 N 68/69 138 162 209 285 309 434 454 464 478 487 g 000000000000050 108 351 497 524 524 526 000gg68/69 Em 487 100 526 70 Em 69/70 gg48 48 91 153 155 155 00000000000000000167 246 282 282 289 00000069/70 Ew 155 60 289 50 Ew 70/71 00157 174 217 227 227 253 256 g 0000000000000063 100 100 186 196 239 239 239 000070/71 Am 256 70 239 80 Am 71/72 0000159 304 305 321 gg 0000000000000000173 227 270 318 356 358 358 gg 0 71/72 N 321 40 358 70 N 72/73 0000000000000000000000036 208 267 325 331 421 430 476 483 483 00072/73 Em - - 483 100 Em 73/74 00000gggg 000000000000000194 277 301 318 318 g 00000073/74 As - - 318 50 As 74/75 00197 252 254 321 321 321 000000000000000055 110 117 144 151 174 200 200 g 00074/75 Aw 321 60 200 80 Aw 75/76 000000000000000000000 00000000075/76 Am -- Am 76/77 00ggggggg 0000000000000000g 126 182 208 243 245 254 gggg76/77 Ew - - 254 60 Ew 77/78 ggg181 219 233 400 400 400 000000000000 59 158 583 634 727 761 763 797 799 799 926 926 77/78 Ew 400 60 926 120 Ew 78/79 10 105 169 187 195 246 247 g 00000000000000065 113 201 283 463 572 572 629 718 943 967 968 g 78/79 N 247 70 968 120 N 79/80 0 61 71 156 194 262 263 263 317 322 g 00000000000052 180 266 272 297 354 467 467 467 497 497 gg79/80 Ew 322 90 497 110 Ew 80/81 ggggggg 00000000000000000238 259 273 326 361 363 363 0000080/81 N - - 363 70 N 81/82 0 g 179 329 329 361 374 391 gg 000000000000000146 151 182 233 247 247 g 000081/82 N 391 60 247 60 N 82/83 0039 111 146 202 265 380 388 388 0090 90 149 149 149 000028 96 135 139 373 518 652 692 692 701 0000082/83 Es 388 130 701 100 Es 83/84 000000000000000000000000056 78 177 177 224 261 261 261 00083/84 Aw - - 261 80 Aw 84/85 00000000000000000000040 43 88 281 320 455 455 523 543 544 g 0 31 110 110 84/85 Aw - - 544 120 Aw 85/86 110 0 ggggggg 0000000000000075 95 147 216 276 318 347 361 364 g 00085/86 N - - 364 90 N 86/87 000065 123 195 199 230 230 g 0000000000000039 180 275 294 301 312 g 000086/87 Em 230 60 312 60 Em 87/88 0000041 79 107 109 117 0000000000000030 79 143 177 178 178 263 324 324 324 0087/88 Ew 117 50 324 100 Ew 88/89 0 g 131 225 243 251 261 g 0000000000000000136 143 305 337 399 603 609 650 653 653 0088/89 As 261 50 653 100 As 89/90 000177 190 234 238 266 266 g 000000000000075 98 186 265 384 406 411 426 g 000089/90 N 266 60 426 80 N 90/91 109 179 237 428 436 480 491 491 00000000000000000185 253 425 593 593 632 632 g 00090/91 Ew 491 80 632 70 Ew 91/92 0065 116 123 142 146 gggg 0000000000000054 101 198 264 327 338 338 000091/92 Es 146 50 338 70 Es 92/93 0039 68 100 136 136 142 00000000000000040 125 136 266 281 386 425 497 595 715 717 783 784 92/93 Ew 142 60 784 120 Ew 93/94 g 0 44 46 104 104 104 000000000000000031 78 98 140 243 285 312 93/94 N 104 50 N 94/95 94/95 Ew Ew 95/96 95/96 Aw Aw 96/97 96/97 N N 97/98 97/98 Es Es 98/99 98/99 Am Am 99/00 99/00 As As 00/01 nnnnnn00/01 N #no AH cond. 53 45 34 29 25 25 25 36 46 54 61 61 60 61 61 61 61 62 62 62 62 58 58 43 30 14 6 6 5 10 15 28 41 51 55 55 Median rain- 265 339 #AHP cond. 9 17 28 33 37 37 37 26 16 8 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 2 2 17 31 47 55 56 57 52 45 32 19 10 6 6 fall in AHPs ### ### %AHP/valid y. 15% 27% 45% 53% 60% 60% 60% 42% 26% 13% 2% 2% 3% 2% 2% 2% 2% 0% 0% 0% 0% 3% 3% 28% 51% 77% 90% 90% 92% 84% 75% 53% 32% 16% 10% 10% 66% reliab. of 247 324 m. grass gr.p. rainf. in AHPs median AHP 60%-reliable 40 60 length of AHP () Brackets mean it may be more but lack of rainfall records MACHAKOS & MAKUENI COUNTY 29

Station name Cereal and legumes growing period Dry conditions Cumulated precipitation ENSO-classification: Simba Railway Station =agro-humid period (AHP) during agro-humid period in mm E = El-Nino-year (ENSO) w = weak Station no. Altitude AEZ min. 40 days Subzone: A = Anti-ENSO-year m = moderate 9237003 1036m LM 5 =grass growing period only vu + vs N = Normal-year s = strong

A 30/31 00081 81 137 334 347 356 368 g 0000000000000g 115 212 231 305 312 312 0000g 30/31 N 368 70 312 60 N 31/32 gggggggggg 0000000000000000111 239 239 239 00000031/32 N - - 239 40 N 32/33 00000000000000000000000056 86 108 167 219 249 318 439 460 460 g 0 32/33 N - - 460 100 N 33/34 000000000000000000000000074 211 356 363 363 00000033/34 N - - 363 50 N 34/35 00000000000000000000000000ggggg 0037 79 111 34/35 N---- N 35/36 155 160 160 0000000000000000000000gggggggg 00102 35/36 N 239 60 - - N 36/37 136 302 302 401 502 502 521 537 ggggg 00000000000ggg42 111 158 158 179 gg 0036/37 N 537 90 179 50 N 37/38 57 96 109 118 223 239 283 303 303 g 00000000000000052 188 319 405 405 425 445 gggg37/38 N 303 90 445 70 N 38/39 gg54 101 128 136 183 183 203 gg 0000000000000061 314 350 360 397 422 422 g 00038/39 A 203 70 422 70 A 39/40 0029 45 121 142 142 170 170 g 0000000000000000000000000175 39/40 N 170 70 - - N 40/41 289 289 301 336 441 477 488 525 531 531 00000000000000034 147 166 166 g 00000040/41 E 531 110 166 40 E 41/42 ggg84 137 165 174 200 200 g 0000000000000066 170 189 262 288 306 361 361 361 00041/42 E 200 60 361 90 E 42/43 39 58 112 127 127 ggggg 000000000000074 139 155 237 239 264 264 g 000gg42/43 A 127 50 264 70 A 43/44 gg 0000000000000000000000034 72 72 189 228 236 256 316 316 316 0 43/44 N - - 316 100 N 44/45 00g 220 255 267 279 279 g 0000000000000060 60 209 302 362 409 409 409 0000044/45 N 279 50 409 80 N 45/46 0000063 110 159 252 252 252 gg 000000000000160 220 295 295 297 00000045/46 N 252 60 297 50 N 46/47 000gggg 000000000000ggggggggggggggg 0046/47 N---- N 47/48 00000146 229 267 267 267 000000000000000g 59 198 198 231 231 g 000g 47/48 N 267 50 231 50 N 48/49 gg29 29 131 161 161 161 0000000000000000033 52 212 293 387 395 395 000048/49 N 161 60 395 70 N 49/50 00000000000000000000000000033 123 149 149 149 000049/50 A - - 149 50 A 50/51 ggggggggg 000000000000000g 62 82 129 136 142 g 000gg50/51 Am - - 142 50 Am 52/51 36 36 148 322 530 696 703 755 758 758 000000000000g 102 224 279 323 409 431 514 514 514 000052/51 N 758 100 514 90 N 52/53 0095 95 169 197 210 228 259 259 g 000000000000gggggg111 177 177 177 00052/53 Ew 259 80 177 40 Ew 53/54 000ggggg 00000000000000ggg101 227 341 341 341 00000053/54 N - - 341 50 N 54/55 000149 156 176 217 217 g 0000000000000070 100 153 207 247 247 247 00gggg54/55 Am 217 50 247 70 Am 55/56 00034 108 108 135 135 g 0000000000000000ggg96 117 172 245 287 290 290 0 55/56 Am 135 50 290 70 Am 56/57 0000000000000000000000051 107 185 227 227 312 337 56/57 N-- N 57/58 57/58 Es Es 58/59 00g 58/59 Ew Ew 59/60 gggggggggg 0000000000000031 68 193 206 215 g 38 58 147 204 204 g 59/60 N - - 215 50 N 60/61 0 115 149 198 203 283 290 290 000000000000000000000000000060/61 N 290 70 - - N 61/62 000g 50 86 95 108 gg 0000000000000174 399 584 751 778 848 848 948 948 948 ggg61/62 N 108 40 948 100 N 62/63 gg44 44 86 127 137 167 167 g 0000000000000035 113 218 255 274 323 323 323 359 373 gg62/63 N 167 70 373 100 N 63/64 gggg88 152 212 235 279 292 301 305 g 0000000000067 223 358 480 517 597 703 703 703 756 756 g 63/64 Ew 305 80 756 110 Ew 64/65 gg37 128 159 225 234 235 0000000000000000047 98 275 295 317 411 429 429 g 0064/65 Aw 235 60 429 80 Aw 65/66 00gggggggg 000000000000gg36 81 110 110 126 g 00029 103 6 65/66 Am - - 126 50 Am 66/67 37 68 216 261 292 305 305 gggg 000000000000000000000000066/67 N 408 100 - - N 67/68 00038 260 260 292 311 311 g 0000000000000186 244 317 677 677 677 000000067/68 N 311 60 677 60 N 68/69 ggg252 268 326 349 364 384 429 429 429 000000000000133 173 379 477 477 477 00000068/69 Em 429 90 477 60 Em 69/70 101 101 156 156 156 00000000000000000031 37 164 275 322 322 326 00000069/70 Ew 156 50 326 70 Ew 70/71 0048 73 118 118 118 00000000000000000039 39 92 92 98 00000070/71 Am 118 50 98 50 Am 71/72 0000197 306 306 329 329 g 0000000000000000000000000071/72 N 329 50 - - N 72/73 0000000000000000000000g 59 106 118 128 g 0043 101 101 101 170 31 72/73 Em - - 170 90 Em 73/74 39 41 00gggggg 00000 73/74 As 110 40 As 74/75 74/75 Aw Aw 75/76 00000075/76 Am Am 76/77 00028 184 185 185 00000000000000000087 204 229 252 255 261 ggg 0076/77 Ew 185 40 261 60 Ew 77/78 00096 121 132 188 188 189 000 0000000050 56 126 206 209 355 398 398 544 544 77/78 Ew 189 60 (544) (100) Ew 78/79 000 00000000000000000179 207 219 351 489 548 548 555 610 783 818 818 g 78/79 N (-) (-) 818 120 N 79/80 0 40 46 173 413 431 452 452 501 505 g 0000000000000140 182 182 187 245 281 281 281 319 319 0079/80 Ew 505 90 319 100 Ew 80/81 0000ggggg 000000000000000132 145 167 204 217 217 g 0000080/81 N - - 217 60 N 81/82 0071 189 209 241 282 334 334 334 000000000000gggggggggg 000081/82 N 334 80 - - N 82/83 0048 103 184 217 240 268 280 280 gggggg 00000062 66 89 189 304 345 360 360 g 0000082/83 Es 280 80 360 80 Es 83/84 00000000000000000000000000083 128 291 308 308 gg 0083/84 Aw - - 308 50 Aw 84/85 0 ggggg 0000000000000000097 267 287 345 345 411 422 422 0 33 70 123 g 84/85 Aw - - 422 110 Aw 85/86 g 0 gg55 58 103 109 109 0000000000000069 147 149 246 305 325 359 362 394 394 g 0085/86 N 109 50 394 100 N 86/87 00000000000000000000000033 69 213 272 291 325 347 347 g 00086/87 Em - - 347 80 Em 87/88 000000000000000000000000ggggg 000000087/88 Ew ---- Ew 88/89 00185 228 249 249 g 000000000000000000000gggggg 0088/89 As 249 40 - - As 89/90 00000000000000000000000000000000000089/90 N---- N 90/91 00000000000000000000000000000000000090/91 Ew ---- Ew 91/92 00ggggg 0000000000000000031 68 98 119 119 g 00000091/92 Es - - 119 50 Es 92/93 00000000000000000000000ggggg35 35 94 198 277 286 286 0 92/93 Ew - - 286 70 Ew 93/94 000000000000000000000000031 99 145 162 175 182 g 000093/94 N - - 182 60 N 94/95 00 94/95 Ew Ew 95/96 95/96 Aw Aw 96/97 96/97 N N 97/98 97/98 Es Es 98/99 98/99 Am Am 99/00 99/00 As As 00/01 nnnnnn00/01 N #no AH cond. 52 50 40 31 27 27 29 32 40 49 57 58 59 59 59 59 59 59 59 59 59 59 58 45 34 20 18 16 14 18 29 35 42 46 49 54 Median rain- 156 275 #AHP cond. 9 11 20 28 32 32 31 28 20 11 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 14 25 39 41 43 45 41 30 24 17 13 10 5 fall in AHPs ### ### %AHP/valid y. 15% 18% 33% 47% 54% 54% 52% 47% 33% 18% 5% 3% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 2% 24% 42% 66% 69% 73% 76% 69% 51% 41% 29% 22% 17% 8% 66% reliab. of 217 297 m. grass gr.p. rainf. in AHPs median AHP 60%-reliable - 50 length of AHP () Brackets mean it may be more but lack of rainfall records MACHAKOS & MAKUENI COUNTY 30 MACHAKOS & MAKUENI COUNTY 31

SOIL DISTRIBUTION, FERTILITY AND MAJOR CHARACTERISTICS

Most of Machakos district lies to the west of Yatta plateau, and the Tana River forms the boundary in the northeast. Relief differences are great in some parts, but generally lessen towards the southeast. Apart from the Chyulu Hills and an area near Tala, the underlying geology is Basement System rocks. These rocks are mainly gneisses outcropping in a number of hills such as the Mua Hills, Machakos Hills etc; relicts of a very old mountain belt.

The soils of the mountains (unit MU1) have a variable fertility according to depth. The soils of the hills (HP1, HU2) have a variable fertility, too. On the associated footslopes soils are found which increase in clay with depth and they have a moderately low fertility (FUC). These soils are also found together with those of the uniform profile development and with humic topsoil (unit UU8). On the piedmont plains East of the Chyulu Hills volcanic soils of unit YPC occur, rich in minerals but stony.

In the northwest part of the district, a number of plateaus on top of basalts contain soils of unit LB8 with a moderate to high fertility, also soils with humic topsoil (LB16) with a high fertility. Soils with a marked textural change below the topsoil (LB5) or a combination of soil units LB5 and LB8 occupy this area, too.

On the undulating topography, of the uplands, the dominant soils have low natural fertility (UUC2). In the north they are associated with soils of unit UPFC having moderate to high natural fertility. In the southeast of the district an association occurs of unit UUA with low fertility to moderately fertile soils. In the northeast around Kagonde, soils with a low fertility occur on the uplands (UUC2).

Plains are found in a long fertile alluvial zone along the Athi River west of the Yatta plateau (AA1) and low fertility in the area around Makindu (PnU2) and east of Mtito Andei (PnF1m). Soils of unit PdUC1 the dissected erosional plains are stony or sandy, while soils of unit UUA occur on the non-dissected erosional plains and have a better topography but a low fertility due their age. Only one area of volcanic footslope ridges occurs near Tala (UU1). It has a moderate to high fertility.

LEGEND TO THE SOIL MAP OF MACHAKOS AND MAKUENI DISTRICTS

1 Explanation of first character physiography( )

M Mountains and Major Scarps H Hills and Minor Scarps L Plateaus and High Level Structural Plains F Footslopes Y Piedmont Plains U Uplands, Upper, Middle and Lower Levels Up Upland/Plain Transitional Lands Pn Non-Dissected Erosional Plains Pd Dissected Erosional Plains Pv Volcanic Plains A Floodplains La Lava Flows V Minor Valleys MACHAKOS & MAKUENI COUNTY 32

2 Explanation of second character (lithology):

A Alluvial Sediments from Various Sources B Basic and Ultra-Basic Igneous Rocks (basalts, nepheline phonolites; older basic tuffs included) F Gneisses Rich in Ferromagnesian Minerals and Hornblende Gneisses N Biotite Gneisses P Pyroclastic Rocks Q Quartzites R Quartz-Feldspar Gneisses U Undifferentiated Basement System Rocks (predominantly Gneisses) U+ Undifferentiated Basement System Rocks with Volcanic Ash Admixture V Undifferentiated or Various Igneous Rocks

3 Soil descriptions

MU 1 Somewhat excessively drained, shallow to moderately deep, reddish brown, rocky and stony, sandy clay loam: Eutric CAMBISOLS, partly lithic phase; with LITHOSOLS, orthic LUVISOLS, eutric REGOSOLS and Rock Outcrops

HP 1 Well drained, moderately deep to deep, black, very friable and smeary, very gravelly loam, with a humic top soil: Mollic ANDOSOLS

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

HUC Complex of: excessively drained to well drained, shallow, dark red to brown, friable, sandy clay loam to clay; in many places rocky, bouldery and stony and in places with an acid topsoil dystric REGOSOLS, lithic phase; with LITHOSOLS, humic CAMBISOLS, lithic phase and rock outcrops

LB 1 Well drained, very deep, dark red, very friable clay: Nito-rhodic FERRASOLS

LB 6 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 7 Imperfectly drained, deep, dark greyish brown, firm clay (hardpan), abruptly underlying a topsoil of sandy loam: Eutric PLANOSOLS

LB 8 Imperfectly drained, very deep, dark grey to black, firm to very firm, bouldery and stony, cracking clay; in places with a calcareous, slightly saline deeper subsoil; in places with a humic topsoil: Pellic VERTISOLS, stony phase and partly saline phase; with verto-orthic GREYZEMS and orthic RENDZINAS MACHAKOS & MAKUENI COUNTY 33

LB 16 Imperfectly drained, moderately deep to deep, very dark grey to black, firm to very firm, slightly calcareous, cracking clay; in many places with a humic topsoil and a gravelly, calcareous deeper subsoil: Pellic VERTISOLS and orthic RENDZINAS

LB 17 Well drained, shallow to deep, dark red, friable clay; in many places rocky and bouldery: Nito-rhodic FERRALSOSL and chromic CAMBISOLS, lithic and/or bouldery phase

LRA Association of: imperfectly drained, moderately deep, friable, dark greyish brown to black, very firm, gravelly, cracking clay; in places saline; on gentle slopes: Pellic VERTISOLS, partly saline phase PLANOSOLS and imperfectly drained, moderately deep, dark greyish brown to black, very firm, gravelly clay; abruptly underlying a topsoil of gravelly sandy clay loam; on level higher parts: Eutric PLANOSOLS

FUI 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

FU 2 Well drained, very deep, dark red, loose coarse sand to friable sandy clay loam: Rhodic FERRALSOLS; with ferralic ARENOSOLS and ferralo-chromic LUVISOLS

FUC Complex of: somewhat excessively drained to well drained, deep to very deep, dark red to dark yellowish brown soils of varying consistence and texture; in places gravelly: Ferralic ARENOSOLS; with ferralo-chromic/orthic LUVISOLS and ACRISOLS

FPC Complex of: well drained, shallow to deep, greyish brown to black, very friable and smeary, rocky or bouldery, gravelly, sandy clay loam to caly; with a humic topsoil: Mollic ANDOSOLS, rocky phase and haplic CHERNOZEMS, stony and partly lithic phase

UN 1 Well drained, very deep, dark red, friable to firm clay: Nito-rhodic FERRALSOLS

UN 3 Well drained, moderately deep to deep, dark reddish brown to brown, friable to firm, sandy clay loam to clay; in places with an acid humic topsoil: Ferralo-orthic ACRISOLS; with dystric and humic CAMBISOLS and humic ACRISOLS

UQ 1 Well drained, shallow to deep, dark red to yellowish brown, loose loamy sand to friable sandy clay loam; in places rocky and stony: Ferralic AERONOSOLS and ferralo-orthic LUVISOLS; partly lithic and stony phase

UU 1 well drained, moderately deep to deep, dark red to yellowish red, friable, sandy clay loam to clay rhodic and orthic FERRALSOLS; with ferralo-chromic/orthic/ferric ACRISOLS MACHAKOS & MAKUENI COUNTY 34

UU 8 Well drained, moderately deep to very deep, reddish brown to dusky red, friable, sandy clay to clay; in places shallow, stony and rocky; in places with an acid humic topsoil: Rhodic FERRALSOLS; with humic CAMBISOLS and LITHOSOLS

UUA Association of: well darined, moderately deep to deep, dark red to dark reddish brown, friable to firm, sandy clay to clay; on slopes: Chromic LUVISOLS and well drained, very deep, light brown to strong brown, very friable clay; on flat interfluves: Orthic and xanthic FERRALSOLS

UUC 2 Well drained, moderately deep to very deep, drk reddish brown to dark yellowish brown, friable to firm, sandy clay to clay; in many places with a topsoil of loamy sand to sandy loam: Ferralo-chromic/orthic/ferric ACRISOLS and LUVISOLS; with FERRALSOLS

UUC 3 Complex of: well drained, shallow, black to very dark brown, very friable loam, with an acid humic topsoil; in places rocky: RANKERS and well drained, moderately deep, dark brown, friable clay loam, with a very thick acid humic topsoil: Humic CAMBISOLS

UVA Association of: well drained to imperfectly drained, moderately deep to very deep, dusky red to very dark greyish brown, friable to firm, clay loam to caly; in many places stony and bouldery and/ or cracking; with severe gully erosion and many rock outcrops: Eutric NITISOLS; with chromic CAMBISOLS, bouldery phase, VERTISOLS and Rock Outcrops and: somewhat excessively darined, shallow, dark reddish brown, friable to firm, gravelly and bouldery clay loam: Chromic CAMBISOLS, lithic and bouldery phase

UpFC Complex of: imperfectly drained, deep, black, firm, cracking, moderately calcareous clay (70%): Pellic VERTISOLS and: well drained, shallow to deep, dark red, friable to firm, compact clay (30%): Chromic LUVISOLS, partly lithic phase

PnF 1 Well drained, deep to very deep, dusky red to dark red, friable sandy clay: Rhodic FERRALSOLS

PnU 2 Well drained, deep to very deep, dark red to strong brown, friable sandy clay to clay: Rhodic and orthic FERRALSOLS MACHAKOS & MAKUENI COUNTY 35

PnU +1 Well drained, moderately deep to very deep, dusky red to dark brown, friable to firm, sandy clay loam to clay: Ferralic and nito-chromic LUVISOLS

PdUC 1 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 petrocalcaic material or quartz gravel: Calcic CAMBISOLS, lithic or petrocalcic phase; with chromic LUVISOLS

PvB 2 Well drained, extremely deep, dusky red to dark reddish brown, friable clay: Eutric NITISOLS

AA 1 Well drained to imperfectly drained, very deep, brown to dark brown, friable, micaceous, slightly calcareous, sandy loam, to clay loam; in places with a saline-sodic deeper subsoil: Eutric FLUVISOLS

AA 5 Imperfectly drained to poorly drained, very deep, dark reddish brown to dark greyish brown, firm to very firm, cracking clay; in many places mottled and with a calcareous, saline and sodic deeper subsoil: Chromic VERTISOLS, saline-sodic phase

AA 10 Moderately well drained, shallow to moderately deep, dark brown, friable, strongly calcareous, sandy clay to clay loam, over petroclacic material: Calcic CAMBISOLS, petrocalcic phase

Lava Excessively drained, exceedingly bouldry to stony, extremely rocky land: Boulders and Rock Outcrops

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. MACHAKOS & MAKUENI COUNTY 36

3.5.2 POPULATION AND LAND see main Volume Eastern Province 3.5.3 AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS see main Volume Eastern Province

3.5.4 FARM SURVEY

Inherently low fertile soils and an unfavourable climate make smallholder agriculture a rather risky enterprise in much of Machakos and Makueni districts. The Farm Survey was conducted in seven main agro-ecological zones and the respective dominant subzones in Machakos and Makueni districts as shown in Table 16. The sample farm sizes were: 0.86 ha (UM 3), 1.42 ha (UM 4), 0.92 ha (UM 5), 5.45 ha (LM 3), 2.88 ha (LM 4), 5.37 ha (LM 5+) and 3.68 ha (LM 5-) (Table 17). Compared to the Farm Survey of 1978, there is evidence of a tremendous decrease in farm sizes over the years. For example, in 1978 the farm sizes in agro-ecological zones UM 2 – 4 averaged 5.6 ha. This decrease can be explained in terms of the increasing population and the resulting subdivision of the land at the household level. With the reduced farm size (which means continuous maize cropping) and low application of farm inputs (Table 17), it is no wonder that crop yields, particularly of the staple maize crop are extremely low in the two districts (Table 19). There is an urgent need for farmers to address the problem of soil infertility if there is any hope of improving the crop yields in the near future.

In all the surveyed agro-ecological zones, the cattle kept are mainly of local zebu type (Table 17). Maize and beans still remain the most important and dominant annual crops in all the surveyed seven agro-ecological zones (Table 18), even in some areas where maize in particular is not suitable. A case in point here is AEZ LM 5 which is better suitable for millets. It is this mismatch of crops against the suitability of the agro- ecological zone that contributes to persistent crop failures in these areas. TABLE 16: FARM SURVEY AREAS IN MACHAKOS AND MAKUENI DISTRICTS Agro-Ecological Unit District No. in Farm Survey Sites Kenya AEZone Subzone Soil Unit 164 Kangundo Division, Kangundo Location, UM 3 s/m + s/m FUC Muisuni Sub Location 165 Central Division, Muvuti Location, UM 4 s + s UUC 2 Muvuti Sub Location MACHAKOS 166 Yathui/Mwala Division, Kyawango LM 4 vs/s + vs/s AA 1 Location, Kyawango Sub Location 167 Central Division, Katheka-Kai Location, LM 4 s + s UU 1 Katelembo Sub Location 168 Mbitini Division, Mulala Location, Iteta LM 3 s + s FUC Sub Location MAKUENI 169 Makindu Division, Nguumo Location, LM 5-4 vu + vs/s PnU 2 Muuni Sub Location 170 Kibwezi Division, Masongaleni Location, LM 5 vu + vs UUA Masongaleni Sub Location The yields of the basic food crop maize have generally declined because of soil fertility depletion and the vagaries of weather. In the typical maize zone UM 4 on the rhodic Ferralsols, for example, the average yields during the 1st rainy season according to the Farm Survey of 1978 were 1756 kg/ha compared to 710 kg/ha in 2004 with insufficient inputs (Table 19) The reason behind this alarming decline is that the soils are deficient of important micronutrients and the farmers are not using inputs to enhance crop yield. While appreciating that fertilizer inputs are expensive for a majority of the farmers in this area, crop yields can only be improved by giving back to the soil what has been removed! Increased biomass production of “composting plants” like Tithonia, increased use of fertilizers and manure in order to maintain soil fertility, and increased food output per unit area, is of immediate concern for the intensively cultivated smallholdings of AEZs UM and LM 3 & 4. The mechanization of field activities using oxen or cows as a source of draught power is one way of increasing yields and returns to those farmers who still have enough land. Planting of perennial forages should help to increase the output from livestock. A high yielding perennial cash crop that is drought resistant could be a basis for earning cash income in the Lower Midlands. It is interesting to note that a majority of farmers are growing mangoes in LM 4, which have a ready market in nearby market centres and Nairobi city. Some farmers have continued to grow local mangoes in LM 5 but the quality is poor, though they could be used for the production of beverage concentrates. In LM 5 and IL 5 neem trees could be planted for use as bio-pesticide. MACHAKOS & MAKUENI COUNTY 37 MACHAKOS & MAKUENI COUNTY 38

Tables 17 a - g: ASSETS, LAND USE, FARMING INTENSITY AND INPUTS see main Volume Eastern Province Tables 18 a - g: CROPPING PATTERN see main Volume Eastern Province

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

Due to many subzones in this district group, this introduction deals with the more important one only. A more detailed description can be found together with calculations of profitability in the Farm Management Guidelines of each district and in the KARI Fertilizer Use Manual (Muriuki and Qureshi, 2001).

Subzone UM 3, s/m + s/m of the Marginal Coffee Zone

This is aMarginal Coffee Zone with two short to medium cropping seasons, represented in Muisuni sub-location of Machakos district. Average annual rainfall is between 900 - 1000 mm. The 66 % reliability of rainfall during the first rainy season (March – May) and the second rainy season (October – February) is similar, i.e. 300 – 390 mm. The dominant soils are rhodic and orthic Ferralsols (Table 19). The annual subsistence crop mix consists of the following in order of importance: maize, beans, kales, tomatoes, cassava, onions, sweet potatoes, capsicum, arrow roots and ground nuts (Table 18). Maize is usually intercropped with beans. No farmer reported growing improved maize variety in this zone (Table 19). The yields of maize are generally very low because of soil infertility. The cash crops grown in this zone in order of importance are: coffee, French beans, bananas, macadamia nuts, avocados, mangoes, guavas and passion fruits (Table 18). Maca- damia growing is increasingly becoming important in this zone because of better cash returns compared to coffee.

There is evidence of land conservation through terracing in this zone. Research has shown that a combination of run off-harvesting and farmyard manure significantly increases grain yields in these semi-arid areas. Farmers should therefore be encouraged to embrace these technologies if crop yields, particularly of cereal grains and legumes, are to improve. During the Small Farm Survey that was conducted in February 2004, the farmers listed their critical problems as follows: 1. Small land size: Due to the increasing human population, the land is increasingly becoming subdivided to units that are no longer economically viable. 2. Low income: There are no viable income-generating enterprises available within their locality. 3. High cost of inputs: The available farm inputs like fertilisers, pesticides and fungicides are expensive and hence out of reach to the majority of the farmers. This explains why a majority of them apply very little or no inputs at all to their farming enterprises. 4. Poor coffee prices: For a long time now, the market price of coffee has discouraged farmers from caring the crop. Majority of the farmers have pruned back the crop and largely plant maize and legumes in what was once a purely sole cropped coffee plantation. Current attempts to revamp the coffee industry are yet to convince the farmers to revert back to its production. 5. Inadequate off-farm income: Majority of farmers lack any other alternative income off their farms. In the absence of income generating enterprises in the area, income levels are very low and poverty is real. The consequences of such conditions are detrimental to any sought of development of the area. 6. Inadequate availability of pure breeds in livestock: Most farmers keep livestock breeds, which are of poor quality, hence fetching very low prices in markets. The dead weight of such breed of animals is very low and discourages would be buyers from purchasing such animals. If any purchase does take place, then the prices offered are extremely very low. Farmers are yet to embrace the need of improving their livestock through cross breeding. 7. Inadequate market channels: Unavailability of market for farmers’ produce discourages many farmers from engaging in serious market oriented farming enterprises. This problem is compounded by the existing poor road infrastructure. Most of the existing feeder roads are impassable, particularly during the rainy season. This results in heavy losses of farm produce at this point in time. Cases of farmers selling their farm produce at a throw away prices are very common in this area. MACHAKOS & MAKUENI COUNTY 39

TABLE 19a: INCREASE OF YIELDS BY BETTER FARM MANAGEMENT IN AGRO-ECOLOGICAL UNIT1) UM 3, s/m + s/m, UU 1

Subzone: s/m + s/m, Soil Unit: UU 1 Survey Area 164 (Muisuni) AEZ: UM 3 MARGINAL COFFE ZONE Sub-zone (Periods in days2): 1st rainy season: 105 - 115, 2nd rainy season 100 - 110) 3) : s/m + s/m Crop Yields Unit with predom. Soil:UU 1 = rhodic and orthic FERRALSOLS; with ferralo-chromic/orthic/ferric and Inputs ACRISOLS Reliable rainfall: 1st rainy season : 2nd rainy season: 300 – 390 mm in 300 - 390 mm at least 10 out of 15 years Farmers in Prod. Level Farmers in Prod. Level I= low II= med.4) III= high5) AEU Pot.6) I= low II= med.4) III= high5) AEU Pot.6) Maize local Kat. CB pure stand Yields3) kg/ha 1400 1409 2893 ca. 4500 980 983 1929 ca. 4000 Fertiliser7): N kg/ha - - ? - - *

P2O5 kg/ha ------K2O kg/ha ------Manure t/ha - - ? - - * Hybrid maize Yields3) kg/ha ------Fertiliser7): ------N kg/ha ------

P2O5 kg/ha ------K2O kg/ha ------Manure t/ha

Maize intercropped with beans beans beans beans beans beans beans beans beans Yields3) kg/ha 190 335 335 ca. 800 194 252 252 ca. 700 Fertiliser7): N kg/ha ------

P2O5 kg/ha ------K2O kg/ha ------Manure t/ha ------

Hybrid maize intercropped with beans Yields3) kg/ha ------Fertiliser7): N kg/ha

P2O5 kg/ha K2O kg/ha Manure t/ha

NOTES: 1) Source: Small Farm Survey (2004) 2) Figures of these cereals growing periods should be reached or surpassed in 6 out of 10 years; 3) Achieved average yields with average rainfall 4) Farmers with medium inputs 5) Farmers with high inputs of fertilizer, 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 * Potential not known; no experimental results MACHAKOS & MAKUENI COUNTY 40

Subzone UM 4, s + s of the Sunflower - Maize Zone

This is theSunflower-Maize Zone with two short cropping seasonsfound in Muvuti sub-location of Machakos district. The average annual rainfall is between 800 - 950 mm. The 66 % reliability of rainfall during the first rainy season (March – May) and the second rainy season (October – February) is between 250 - 350 mm, respectively. The dominant soil type is eutric Cambisols (Table 19). The area is increasingly experiencing population pressure. This explains why most of the farms are small in size (1.42 ha) (Table 17). The majority of farmers are subsistent, relying mainly on the production for home consumption and disposing off any surplus to the nearest local markets.

During the Small Farm Survey conducted in February 2004, the majority of farmers interviewed apply very little or no farm inputs at all (Table 17). They rely mainly on using local seed material, which they have been selecting for years. Use of manure is very limited because they keep very few animals due to land scarcity, and inorganic fertiliser is beyond their reach. This explains the low soil fertility status and hence low productivity of the farms. Even though most farms have bench terraces to conserve the soil, most of them are poorly maintained, thus rendering them less effective in controlling soil erosion.

The main subsistence food crops grown in order of importance are maize, beans, pigeon peas, cowpeas, cassava and pumpkins (Table 18). The yields of the staple maize crop are considerably low in this zone compared to the agroecological unit potential (Table 19). The reason for the low yields is the decline in soil fertility, which is not being replenished by the farmers. This problem must be seriously addressed if the food security situation in this zone is to be maintained in the coming years. The Perennial crops are coffee, bananas and paw paws. Some farmers are now growing improving their fruit trees by planting the grafted types and tissue culture bananas. This has considerably increased the productivity of these fruits thus earning some extra cash for the household. Surprisingly, though this is a sunflower zone, very few farmers grow this crop. Most farmers indicated that they would wish to grow it but the constraints of access to seed and eventually market for the crop has discouraged them from engaging in this enterprise. MACHAKOS & MAKUENI COUNTY 41

TABLE 19b: INCREASE OF YIELDS BY BETTER FARM MANAGEMENT IN AGRO-ECOLOGICAL UNIT1) UM 4, s + s, MU 1

Subzone: s + s, Soil Unit: MU 1 Survey Area 165 (Muvuti) AEZ: UM 4 SUNFLOWER - MAIZE ZONE Sub-zone (Periods in days2): 1st rainy season: 85 - 105, 2nd rainy season 85 - 105) 3) : s + s Crop Yields Unit with predom. Soil:MU 1 = eutric CAMBISOLS, partly lithic phase; with LITHOSOLS, orthic and Inputs LUVISOLS, eutric REGOSOLS and ROck Outcrops Reliable rainfall: 1st rainy season : 2nd rainy season: 250 – 350 mm in 250 - 350 mm at least 10 out of 15 years Farmers in Prod. Level Farmers in Prod. Level I= low II= med.4) III= high5) AEU Pot.6) I= low II= med.4) III= high5) AEU Pot.6) Maize local/ KCB pure stand Yields3) kg/ha - 427 977 * - 905 2186 * Fertiliser7): N kg/ha - - - - P O kg/ha 2 5 - - - - K O kg/ha 2 - - - - Manure t/ha - - - - Improved maize Yields3) kg/ha - - - ca. 3000 - - - ca. 3500 Fertiliser7): N kg/ha

P2O5 kg/ha K2O kg/ha Manure t/ha

Maize intercropped with beans - - ? - - * Yields3) kg/ha - Fertiliser7): N kg/ha

P2O5 kg/ha K2O kg/ha Manure t/ha

Improved maize intercropped with beans Yields3) kg/ha ------Fertiliser7): N kg/ha

P2O5 kg/ha K2O kg/ha Manure t/ha

Subzone UM 5, vs/s + vs of the Livestock - Sorghum Zone

This is the Livestock-Sorghum Zone with a very short to short and a very short cropping season typified by Katelembo sub-location of Machakos district. The average annual rainfall is between 600 - 750 mm. The 66 % reliability of rainfall during the first rainy season (March – May) is between 150 - 250 mm and in the second rainy season (October – February) it is between 150 - 230 mm. The dominant soils are pellic Vertisols (Table 19). Majority of farmers produce for subsistence focusing on the growing of local maize varieties, beans and sorghum (Table 18). Cereal intercrops are common in this zone. Several reasons for intercropping were mentioned during field interviews. Spreading risk of crop failure due to low erratic rainfall and small cropping land were noted as the main reasons. Inter-cropping as a risk spreading strategy addresses pests as well as drought. The “poorer” farmers are more vulnerable to the shocks and stress resulting from the unpredictable climatic conditions than the “richer” farmers. This has led to the abandonment of local sorghum varieties due to lack of planting seed material. There is need for breeders and crop protection researchers to focus on a seed initiative that would reduce seed losses/shortages and provide the resource- poor farmers with choice of more varieties. Such an initiative could include research on improved seed preservation technology(s). Crop protection research could explore the possibility of using the already available packaged innovations from KARI. In addition, the possibility of introducing seed bulking among farmer field schools should be explored. Livestock keeping could be a suitable source of income but it only comprises the local breeds. The majority of farmers keep local breeds of oxen used in the ploughing of farms and for transporting produce. MACHAKOS & MAKUENI COUNTY 43

TABLE 19c: INCREASE OF YIELDS BY BETTER FARM MANAGEMENT IN AGRO-ECOLOGICAL UNIT1) UM 5, vs/s + vs, LRA

Subzone: vs/s + vs, Soil Unit: LRA Survey Area 166 (Katelembo) AEZ: UM 5 LIVESTOCK - SORGHUM ZONE Sub-zone: vs/s + vs (Periods in days2): 1st rainy season: 65 - 75, 2nd rainy season: 50 - 65) Crop Yields3) and Inputs Unit with predom. Soil: LRA = pellic VERTISOLS, partly saline phase and eutric PLANOSOLS Reliable rainfall: 1st rainy season : 2nd rainy season: 150 – 230 mm in 150 - 250 mm at least 10 out of 15 years Farmers in Prod. Level Farmers in Prod. Level I= low II= med.4) III= high5) AEU Pot.6) I= low II= med.4) III= high5) AEU Pot.6) Maize local pure stand Yields3) kg/ha 792 892 1125 * 310 334 675 Fertiliser7): N kg/ha ------

P2O5 kg/ha ------K2O kg/ha ------Manure t/ha - - 2 - - -

Improved maize Yields3) kg/ha ------Fertiliser7): N kg/ha

P2O5 kg/ha K2O kg/ha Manure t/ha

Maize intercropped with beans Yields3) kg/ha 479 1483 1667 * 483 666 1125 * Fertiliser7): N kg/ha - - - - -

P2O5 kg/ha ------K2O kg/ha ------Manure t/ha - 0.5 0.8 - - -

Improved maize intercropped with beans Yields3) kg/ha ------Fertiliser7): N kg/ha

P2O5 kg/ha K2O kg/ha Manure t/ha

Subzone LM 4, vs/s + s/vs of the Marginal Cotton Zone

This is theMarginal Cotton Zone with a very short to short and a short to very short cropping season typified by Kyawango sub-location of Machakos district. The average annual rainfall is between 700 - 800 mm. The 66 % reliability of rainfall during the first rainy season (March – May) is between 190 - 300 mm and the second rainy season (October – February) is between 250 - 350 mm. (Table 19). The predominant soils are eutric Fluvisols (Table 19). There exist a few isolated soil conservation structures like bench terraces though neglected. During the Small Farm Survey conducted in February 2004, farmers reported growing the following subsistence food crops in order of importance: maize, beans, cowpeas, pigeon peas, water melons, green grams and butter nuts (Table 18). The use of farm inputs like fertilizer and manure is restricted to only a few farmers who have some off-farm income. Majority of the farmers use very little farm inputs. The perennial crops grown include fruit trees: mangoes, citrus, paw paws and oranges. There is evidence that many farmers are adopting the growing of grafted mangoes, avocados, citrus and pawpaws. This enterprise is generating the much-needed income for a majority of households. Livestock keeping comprises mainly the local breeds of cattle, sheep and the Galla goats. Access to markets by farmers has been identified as the most critical problem being experienced. This explains why the farm gate prices for most of their produce are very low. MACHAKOS & MAKUENI COUNTY 45

TABLE 19d: INCREASE OF YIELDS BY BETTER FARM MANAGEMENT IN AGRO-ECOLOGICAL UNIT1) LM 4, vs/s + s/vs, AA 1

Subzone: vs/s + s/vs, Soil Unit: AA 1 Survey Area 167 (Kyawango) AEZ: LM 4 MARGINAL COTTON ZONE Sub-zone: vs/s + s/vs (Periods in days2): 1st rainy season: 75 - 85, 2nd rainy season: 75 - 85) Crop Yields3) and Inputs Unit with predom. Soil: AA 1 = eutric FLUVISOLS Reliable rainfall: 1st rainy season : 2nd rainy season: 250 – 350 mm in 190 - 300 mm at least 10 out of 15 years Farmers in Prod. Level Farmers in Prod. Level I= low II= med.4) III= high5) AEU Pot.6) I= low II= med.4) III= high5) AEU Pot.6) Maize local/ DLC pure stand Yields3) kg/ha 135 634 1291 * 540 1605 2773 * Fertiliser7): N kg/ha ------

P2O5 kg/ha ------K2O kg/ha ------Manure t/ha ------

Hybrid maize Yields3) kg/ha ------Fertiliser7): N kg/ha

P2O5 kg/ha K2O kg/ha Manure t/ha Maize local / DLC intercropped with beans beans beans beans beans beans beans Yields3) kg/ha 49 239 437 135 456 943 Fertiliser7): N kg/ha ------

P2O5 kg/ha ------K2O kg/ha ------Manure t/ha ------

Hybrid maize intercropped with beans Yields3) kg/ha ------Fertiliser7): N kg/ha ------

P2O5 kg/ha ------K2O kg/ha ------Manure t/ha ------

Subzone LM 3, s + s of the Cotton Zone

This is the Cotton Zone with two short cropping seasons occurring in Iteta sub-location of Makueni district. The average annual rainfall is between 800 - 900 mm. The 66 % reliability of rainfall during the first rainy season (March – May) is between 250 - 350 mm and the second rainy season (October – February) is between 250 - 350 mm. The soils in this zone are ferralic Arenosols (Table 19). The existing soil conservation measures in this Subzone include terraces fortified by Napier grass to provide fodder for livestock.

According to the Small Farm Survey conducted in February 2004, farmers grew the following annual food crops in order of importance: maize, pigeon peas, green grams, beans, cowpeas, sorghum and millet (Table 18). Maize is intercropped with the legumes and the yields are relatively very low (Table 19). Seed material used for planting is of local variety. There is very little or no use of improved seed varieties and farm inputs by the farmers. Most farmers indicated that they have no extra income to invest in improved farming technologies or purchase farm inputs. Evidence of severe nitrogen deficit can be seen from the yield differences under sole crop and intercrop (Table 19). Under the intercrop, higher yields are obtained because of nitrogen accumulation by legumes. Note that although this is a Cotton Zone, no farmer reported growing it. Its importance has diminished due to the poor market prices of the crop. Improved mangoes have replaced cotton in importance because the cash returns from it are much higher. Fruit trees play a significant role here as household cash earners. The most important fruit trees include: mangoes, citrus and oranges. There is increased demand for grafted varieties of these fruits. Livestock keeping mainly consists of local cattle breeds and goats. Most farmers keep several oxen and use during land preparation and transportation of produce from their farms after harvest. MACHAKOS & MAKUENI COUNTY 47

TABLE 19e: INCREASE OF YIELDS BY BETTER FARM MANAGEMENT IN AGRO-ECOLOGICAL UNIT1) LM 3, s + s, FUC

Subzone: s + s, Soil Unit: FUC Survey Area 168 (Iteta) AEZ: LM 3 COTTON ZONE Sub-zone (Periods in days2): 1st rainy season: 85 - 105, 2nd rainy season: 85 - 105) 3) : s + s Crop Yields Unit with predom. Soil: FUC = ferralic ARENOSOLS; with ferralo-chromic / orthic LUVISOLS and and Inputs ACRISOLS Reliable rainfall: 1st rainy season : 2nd rainy season: 250 – 350 mm in 250 - 350 mm at least 10 out of 15 years Farmers in Prod. Level Farmers in Prod. Level I= low II= med.4) III= high5) AEU Pot.6) I= low II= med.4) III= high5) AEU Pot.6) Maize local/ KCB pure stand Yields3) kg/ha 372 405 498 * 168 205 217 * Fertiliser7): N kg/ha ------

P2O5 kg/ha ------K2O kg/ha ------Manure t/ha - - 2 - - -

Hybrid maize Yields3) kg/ha ------Fertiliser7): N kg/ha

P2O5 kg/ha K2O kg/ha Manure t/ha Maize local / KCB intercropped with beans maize maize maize maize maize maize Yields3) kg/ha 1127 2110 2741 * 200 840 931 * Fertiliser7): N kg/ha ------

P2O5 kg/ha ------K2O kg/ha ------Manure t/ha 0.4 0.6 1.0 - - -

Maize Var.H622 intercropped with beans Yields3) kg/ha ------Fertiliser7): N kg/ha

P2O5 kg/ha K2O kg/ha Manure t/ha

Subzone LM 5, vu + vs/s of the Livestock - Millet Zone

This is aLivestock-Millet Zone with very uncertain first rains and a very short to short cropping season, occurring in Muuni/Thande sub-Locations of Makueni district. The average annual rainfall is between 600 - 700 mm. The 66 % reliability of rainfall during the first rainy season (March – May) is between 80 - 160 mm and the second rainy season (October – February) is between 180 - 250 mm. The soils have been developed on non- dissected erosional plains (rhodic and orthic Ferralsols) (Table 19). The “+” sign means that this zone tends toward zone 4. Inspite of the very uncertain first rainy season, farmers try to plant maize because in 4 out of 10 years, the growing period reaches 65 days or more. During the Farm Survey of 2004, it was observed that a majority of the farmers do not use any inputs to improve their farm productivity. Adoption of new farming technologies is almost non-existent (Table 17). The farming enterprises are restricted to basically growing the following crops in order of importance: maize, beans, cowpeas, green grams, pigeon peas, sorghum, finger and pearl millets and dolichos beans (Table 18). Maize is generally intercropped with these legumes. The low average yield of maize is compensated by a relatively large acreage. The yields are relatively higher when intercropped with beans because of nitrogen build up which is taken up by the maize crop. Livestock keeping comprises the local breed cattle, where the oxen dominate the stock. The oxen are mainly used for land preparation and also transporting the farm produce. MACHAKOS & MAKUENI COUNTY 49

TABLE 19f: INCREASE OF YIELDS BY BETTER FARM MANAGEMENT IN AGRO-ECOLOGICAL UNIT1) LM 5, vu + vs/s, PnU 2

Subzone: vu + vs/s, Soil Unit: PnU 2 Survey Area 169 (Thande) AEZ: LM 5 LIVESTOCK - MILLET ZONE Sub-zone: vu + vs/s (Periods in days2): 1st rainy season: 20 - 40, 2nd rainy season: 55 - 75) Crop Yields3) and Inputs Unit with predom. Soil: PnU 2 = rhodic and orthic FERRALSOLS Reliable rainfall: 1st rainy season : 2nd rainy season: 180 – 250 mm in 80 - 160 mm at least 10 out of 15 years Farmers in Prod. Level Farmers in Prod. Level I= low II= med.4) III= high5) AEU Pot.6) I= low II= med.4) III= high5) AEU Pot.6) Maize local pure stand Yields3) kg/ha 340 649 712 * 201 232 746 * Fertiliser7): N kg/ha ------

P2O5 kg/ha ------K2O kg/ha ------Manure t/ha ------

Improved maize Yields3) kg/ha ------Fertiliser7): N kg/ha

P2O5 kg/ha K2O kg/ha Manure t/ha Maize local / DLC intercropped with beans maize maize maize maize maize maize Yields3) kg/ha 1213 7) 1529 7) 1861 7) * 282 465 1834 * Fertiliser7): N kg/ha ------

P2O5 kg/ha ------K2O kg/ha ------Manure t/ha 0.4 0.6 1.0 - - -

Improved maize intercropped with beans Yields3) kg/ha ------Fertiliser7): N kg/ha

P2O5 kg/ha K2O kg/ha Manure t/ha

NOTES: 1) Source: Small Farm Survey (2004) 2) Figures of these cereals growing periods should be reached or surpassed in 6 out of 10 years; 3) Achieved average yields with average rainfall 4) Farmers with medium inputs 5) Farmers with high inputs of fertilizer, 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) These relatively high amounts seem to be not averages but yields of good seasons * Potential not known; no experimental results MACHAKOS & MAKUENI COUNTY 50

Subzone LM 5, vu + vs of the Livestock - Millet Zone

This is the extremely harsh climatic environment of the Livestock-Millet Zone with very uncertain first rains and a very short cropping season as typified by Masongaleni sub-location of Makueni district. The average annual rainfall is between 600 - 700 mm. The 66 % reliability of rainfall during the first rainy season (March – May) is between 50 - 160 mm and the second rainy season (October – February) is between 150 - 220 mm. The soils have been developed on non-dissected erosion plains (rhodic and orthic Ferralsols) (Table 19). During the Small Farm Survey conducted in 2004, it was observed that majority of the farmers do not use any inputs to improve their farm productivity. Adoption of new farming technologies is minimal among the resource-poor farmers. The would definitely require support through some form of credit system. The crop diversity is restricted to growing the following crops in order of importance: beans, maize, pigeon peas, cowpeas, green grams, cassava, sweet potatoes, cotton, kales and dolichos beans (Table 18). Crop failure for maize in this zone is a frequent phenomenon. Despite the fact that the first rainy season is very uncertain and the second one has a very short but reliable growing period, the average yields of maize though low, are much higher in the first rainy season (Table 19). In 4 out of 10 seasons, enough rainfall is received for 60 or more days of a growing period, but there are more total crop failures (which most farmers forget to include in the average). There is very little millet planted because these farmers have migrated from areas with no tradition of millet growing. They still consider millet as a “poor mans” crop. The perennial crops comprise of mangoes (Table 18). Livestock keeping comprises the local breed cattle, where the oxen dominate the stock. The households with oxen mainly use them for land preparation and also transporting the farm produce from the farms after harvesting. MACHAKOS & MAKUENI COUNTY 51

TABLE 19g: INCREASE OF YIELDS BY BETTER FARM MANAGEMENT IN AGRO-ECOLOGICAL UNIT1) LM 5, vu + vs, PnU 2

Subzone: vu + vs, Soil Unit: PnU 2 Survey Area 170 (Masongaleni) AEZ: LM 5 LIVESTOCK - MILLET ZONE Sub-zone: vu + vs (Periods in days2): 1st rainy season: 20 - 40, 2nd rainy season: 45 - 55) Crop Yields3) and Inputs Unit with predom. Soil: PnU 2 = rhodic and orthic FERRALSOLS Reliable rainfall: 1st rainy season : 2nd rainy season: 150 – 220 mm in 50 - 160 mm at least 10 out of 15 years Farmers in Prod. Level Farmers in Prod. Level I= low II= med.4) III= high5) AEU Pot.6) I= low II= med.4) III= high5) AEU Pot.6) Maize local pure stand Yields3) kg/ha 741 934 994 7) 188 282 420 ? Fertiliser7): N kg/ha ------

P2O5 kg/ha ------K2O kg/ha ------Manure t/ha ------

Improved maize Yields3) kg/ha ------Fertiliser7): N kg/ha

P2O5 kg/ha K2O kg/ha Manure t/ha

Maize local intercropped with beans maize maize maize maize maize maize Yields3) kg/ha 1200 7) 1398 7) 1557 7) ? 283 683 703 ? Fertiliser7): N kg/ha ------

P2O5 kg/ha ------K2O kg/ha ------Manure t/ha 0.2 0.3 0.5 - - -

Improved maize intercropped with beans Yields3) kg/ha ------Fertiliser7): N kg/ha

P2O5 kg/ha K2O kg/ha Manure t/ha

NOTES: 1) Source: Small Farm Survey (2004) 2) Figures of these cereals growing periods should be reached or surpassed in 6 out of 10 years; 3) Achieved average yields with average rainfall 4) Farmers with medium inputs 5) Farmers with high inputs of fertilizer, 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) These relatively high amounts seem to be not averages but yields of good seasons ? Potential for local maize not known; no experimental results MACHAKOS & MAKUENI COUNTY 52

3.5.6 FERTILISER AND MANURE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPORTANT AGRO- ECOLOGICAL UNITS

The Fertiliser Use Recommendation Project of the GTZ (1986 - 92) had four trial sites in the former Machakos district: one was located on Ferralsols at Kilome Upete in UM 3 and another in Katumani National Dryland Farming Research Center in UM 4 on a mixture of Ferralsols and Cambisols, while the third was in Makutano which is within zone LM 3-4 on Acrilsols with low fertility and the fourth in Kampi-ya-Mawe on Acrisols and Arenosols in LM 4(-5). For the other zones, subzones and units Muriuki and Qureshi showed which results from other districts could be representative (see map of Fertiliser Recommendations and Farm Survey Areas) and made curves for fertiliser response1.

Recommended rates of an AEU increase towards the wetter subzone and decrease into a drier subzone if the soil unit extends there (see dark and light grey shades in the small maps). We have tended to lower the rates due to the low financial basis of the smallholder farmers. The optimum can be calculated from the curve formulas in Muriuki & Qureshi Fertiliser Use Manual, KARI, Nairobi 2001. In the long run the sustainable amount of nutrients must be applied to the soil in order to maintain the nutrient content. Some quantities for it can be seen in the chapter 3.1 under General Remarks.

Higher 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 here. A rural small credit system for the inputs could help the farmers a great deal if it was in place. Where scientific sources for quantifying the rates are lacking, some conclusions have been drawn from the difference of inputs and yields between the low and high production levels of the Farm Survey 2004/05. An empty column Other Nutrients Recommended does not mean that there is no fertiliser to be added, but it simply indicates lack of trial results. Crop physical signs of nutrient deficiencies and methods of alleviating this are shown in Muriuki, A.W. and Qureshi, J.N. (2001), Table 1&2, p.22-23.

Finally it must be mentioned again that fertilising of the soil alone will only increase the yields in the short term. The micronutrients that are not included in the fertiliser become exhausted sooner than later. Thus, manuring almost up to the full return of the extracted nutrients is inevitable in order to have a stable agrobiological system with continuous crop production2.

On the other hand even macronutrients like potassium (K) which is not usually mentioned based on the assumption that it is still enough in the soil, must be applied in the long run because 1 t of maize needs 23 kg K, 1 t of sorghum even 45 kg, 1 t of groundnuts 50 kg. Cassava is less demanding, only 7 kg K per t, but needs additionally 2 kg of cobalt (Co) and 1 kg of magnesium (Mg) 3.

______1 Muriuki, A.W. & Qureshi, J.N.: Fertiliser Use Manual. Nairobi KARI . 2 Southern China has parts with similar soils to Kenya and stabilized productivity there for hundreds of years by returning to the fields as much as possible, even the ashes, excrements and urea. The organic material could be used first for biogas production to reduce the hygenic and energy problems. 3 Figures in handbooks, from international experience. MACHAKOS & MAKUENI COUNTY 53 MACHAKOS & MAKUENI COUNTY 54

TABLE 20a: FERTILISER AND MANURE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR AGRO-ECOLOGICAL UNITS UM 3 s/m + s/m, UU 1 & 8, UUC 2 of the MARGINAL COFFEE ZONE

Average Yield Recommended Average Yield Increase if Crop varieties and Fertiliser Rates Increase if this Rate Other Nutrients Season 5t/ha Manure are Recommended is Applied Applied kg/ha kg/ha * kg/ha First rainy Season

Kat. CB maize 50 N + 30 P 1769 310 Maize & beans 40 N 520 maize 570 m., 100 beans Sorghum 40 N 820 -

Second Rainy Season 1) Ca, K, Mg after Kat. CB maize 50 N + 30 P ca. 2000 540 some cropping Maize & beans 30 N 1275 maize 580 m., 40 beans seasons without manuring Permanent

Coffee 45 C.A.N. 2) ca. 500 *

Sources: Muriuki & Qureshi: Fertiliser Use Manual 2001, p.138; KARI and GTZ: Fertiliser Use Recomm., Vol.23 Machakos District, Nairobi 1994; conclusions from the Farm Survey 2004, area 164; IRACC: Small Holder Farming Handbook 1997, p.147. 1 Climatic conditions are more favourable for maize in 2nd rainy season 2 Per 10 trees. per year (see IRACC 1997, p. 147) * No data available

TABLE 20b: FERTILISER AND MANURE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR AGRO-ECOLOGICAL UNITS UM 4 s + s & s/vs + s/vs, UUC 2 of the MAIZE - SUNFLOWER ZONE

Maize KCB 20 N + 20 P ca. 450 1) ca. 300 Maize & beans 20 P ca. 400 maize * Sorghum (at s/vs) 30 N ca. 380 1) * Ca, K, Mg after Second Rainy Season some cropping Maize KCB 30 N 330 1) ca. 400 season without manuring Maize & beans not economical * Sunflower (at s) 170 SSP 2) + 100 C.A.N. 3) ca. 800 *

Sources: Muriuki & Qureshi: Fertiliser Use Manual 2001, p.138; KARI and GTZ: Fertiliser Use Recomm., Vol.23 Machakos District, Nairobi 1994; conclusions from the Farm Survey 2004, area 165; IRACC: Small Holder Farming Handbook 1997, p.111. 1 Under present prices fertilisers are not economical, response farming to the character of the season recommended and manure. 2 at planting 3 top dressing * No data available MACHAKOS & MAKUENI COUNTY 55 MACHAKOS & MAKUENI COUNTY 56

TABLE 20c: FERTILISER AND MANURE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR AGRO-ECOLOGICAL UNIT UM 4 s + s, UU 1 of the MAIZE - SUNFLOWER ZONE

Average Yield Recommended Average Yield Increase if Crop varieties and Season Fertiliser Rates Increase if this Other Nutrients 5t/ha Manure Recommended Rate is Applied are Applied kg/ha kg/ha * kg/ha First rainy Season Maize KCB 75 N + 25 P 1230 170 1) Lime, K, Mg Maize & beans not economical * 3) Sunflower 170 SSP + 2) 100 C.A.N. 4) ca. 800 * Second Rainy Season Hybrid maize 25 N 223 *2) Maize & beans not economical * 170 SSP 3) + Sunflower 100 C.A.N. 4) ca. 800 *

Sources: Muriuki & Qureshi: Fertiliser Use Manual 2001, p.126 & 140; KARI and GTZ: Fertiliser Use Recomm., Vol.23 Machakos District, Nairobi 1994; conclusions from the Farm Survey 2004, area 167; IRACC: Small Holder Farming Handbook 1997, p.111.

1 Together with 50N & 50P 1250 kg more yield. ² Recommended for soil improvement and better water storage capacity in any case. 3 at planting 4 top dressing * No data available

TABLE 20d: FERTILISER AND MANURE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR AGRO-ECOLOGICAL UNIT LM 4 vs/s + vs/s, PdUC 1 of the MARGINAL COTTON ZONE

Average Yield Recommended Average Yield Increase if Crop varieties and Season Fertiliser Rates Increase if this Other Nutrients Recom- 5t/ha Manure mended Rate is Applied are Applied kg/ha kg/ha * kg/ha First rainy Season Maize DLC 30 N 440 ca. 300 Maize & cowpeas (30 P) 1) (200) 1) * Second Rainy Season Maize DLC 30 N 540 ca. 400 Ca, K, Mg after some cropping Maize & cowpeas not economical * seasons without manuring Biseasonal (2nd to 1st r.s.)

Cotton 150 DSP ca. 500 * Pigeon peas 25 P 400 340

Sources: Muriuki & Qureshi: Fertiliser Use Manual 2001, p.138; KARI and GTZ: Fertiliser Use Recomm., Vol.23 Machakos District, Nairobi 1994; conclusions from the Farm Survey 2004, area 166; IRACC: Small Holder Farming Handbook 1997, p.155; 1 May be not economical * No data available MACHAKOS & MAKUENI COUNTY 57 MACHAKOS & MAKUENI COUNTY 58

TABLE 20e: FERTILISER AND MANURE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR AGRO-ECOLOGICAL UNIT LM 4 vs/s + vs/s, UUC 2 of the MARGINAL COTTON ZONE

Average Yield Recommended Average Yield Increase if Crop varieties and Season Fertiliser Rates Increase if this Other Nutrients 5t/ha Manure Recommended2) Rate is Applied are Applied kg/ha kg/ha * kg/ha First rainy Season Maize DLC 20 N 450 ca. 300 1) Maize & cowpeas not economical - Second Rainy Season Maize DLC not economical, drought risk ca. 400 1) Ca, K, Mg after some cropping Maize & cowpeas 20 P 420 maize - seasons without Biseasonal (2nd to 1st r. s.) manuring 150 SSP 2) + * Cotton 80 C.A.N. 3) Pigeom peas 10 P 4) 30 4) -

1) May be less but manuring is necessary for humus content and moisture storage capacity of the soil. 2) at planting 3) top dressing if the rainy season develops positive, otherwise uneconomical 4) May be uneconomical * No data available

TABLE 20g: FERTILISER AND MANURE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR AGRO-ECOLOGICAL UNITS LM 5 vu + vs, UUA of the LIVESTOCK - MILLET ZONE

No fertiliser because of very uncertain grwoing period.

Second rainy Season Fertiliser uneconomical because of very short and risky growing period. Manure recommended

TABLE 20f: FERTILISER AND MANURE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR AGRO-ECOLOGICAL UNIT LM 5 vs + vs/s, UUC 2 of the LIVESTOCK - MILLET ZONE

Second rainy Season Maize DLC 20 N ca. 400 ca. 350 K & Mg after some Maize & cowpeas 20 N ca. 400 maize - cropping seasons Sorghum 30 N ca. 350 - without manuring

Sources: Muriuki & Qureshi: Fertiliser Use Manual 001, p.13 ; KARI and GTZ: Fertiliser Use Recomm., Vol. 23 Machakos District, Nairobi 1994; conclusions from the Farm Survey 2004 , area 170; IRACC: Small Holder Farming Handbook 1997. MACHAKOS & MAKUENI COUNTY 61