Farmers' perceptions and knowledge of soil fertility degradation in two contrasting sites in western Kenya

✍ Scribed by M. Odendo; G. Obare; B. Salasya

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2010
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 93 KB
• Volume: 21
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1085-3278
• DOI: 10.1002/ldr.996

✦ Synopsis

Soil fertility degradation is often acknowledged as an insidious and slow process, yet farmers' perceptions of severity of the problem and associated yield losses are critical in influencing adoption of soil fertility enhancing practices. Against this backdrop, this study investigated farmers' perceptions and indicators of soil fertility degradation and identified factors that make a difference in the perceptions among farmers in western Kenya. Data for this analysis were collected from a random sample of 331 households in Vihiga and Siaya Districts and analysed by descriptive statistics and ordered logit model. Results showed that 90 per cent of the households perceived that soil fertility was declining using different indicators, especially decreasing crop yields, poor crop growth vigour, presence of indicator weeds and soil colour. The key determinants of farmers' extent of perceptions were farm and farmer characteristics as well as institutional factors. This study recommends the use of farmers' perceptions and knowledge as important entry points for research and dissemination of appropriate soil fertility management practices.