FARMER STORIES
These stories come from farmers, community facilitators, government focal points, and partners who have been engaged in project activities in Kenya.
NAME:
Peter and Christine Muema
AGE:
60
LOCATION:
Kithekani village, Kibau sublocation in Mwala subcountry, Machakos
FARM SIZE:
2 acres
WHAT DO PETER AND CHRISTINE GROW ON THEIR FARM?
Peter and Christine are practicing mixed farming on their farm cultivating crops such as;
- maize
- beans
- pigeon peas
- vegetables
- chickens
Peter has traditionally practiced conventional farming. He used to rent oxen from a friend who would plough for him and in return he gave them maize stalks as animal feed. However, as Peter was not the only farmer to use the ploughing service he tended to plant late in the season. In addition one of the oxen passed away and they were unable to hire an additional oxen due to no finances.
Hence, Peter and his wife Christine decided to start using planting basins on their farm. Peter dug the holes and Christine followed by dropping the seed in the holes and covering them. They managed to plant the entire farm in two days.
Despite the fact that the maize was planted late, the results and yields from the farm shocked Peter and his wife as they were able to harvested twice the amount they used to! With such positive results Peter has decide to plant early next season before the rains and dig larger and more organised holes that will collect more moisture for the crop use.
FARMER INNOVATION
To counter the effects of flooding on the basins, Peter fills the basins with soil to allow the extra runoff to get into the terraces.
Due to the mulch placed in the basin, the moisture retained is sufficient for the basin for the entire production period.
IMPACTS FROM PROJECT INTERVENTIONS AND LEARNING
SCALING UP AND INCREASING YIELDS
Currently the farm has 6000 basins occupying 80% of the farm. Peter and Christine are looking forward to having 10,000 basins on their farm by 2022. Last season Peter recorded that each basin had a yield of 1.6kgs.
MARKET INTEGRATION AND GENERATING INCOME
- The income from the sale of the crops from the basins have enabled Peter and Christine to pay school fees for their two sons and feed the family.
- Thanks to the higher yields they were able to to invest in a market kiosk to sell their produce and save money to invest in the set up of a poultry enterprise.
- Due to the reduced labour needs on their farm, the household members are able to engage in other income
FARMER INNOVATION AND KNOWLEDGE SHARING
Through viewing the positive yields Peter and Christine are get from farming with planting basins, the neighbouring farmers have changed their mind-set and engaged with Peter to learn how to transform their way of farming and embrace the technology.
SCALING ON-FARM RESTORATION THROUGH FARMERS INNOVATION AND ADAPTATION
The following infographic depicts Peter’s learning and reflection on steps for digging planting basins and what he has learnt through his experience
Leigh Winowiecki (ICRAF) L.A.Winowiecki@cgiar.org
Fergus Sinclair (ICRAF) F.Sinclair@cgiar.org
