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Sponsored By: Hosted By: Enhancing resilience in smallholder cropping systems and food security through agro-forestry: The case of green grams (Vignia radiata) intercropped with Melia volkensii in the Semiarid Eastern KenyaLawrence M. Kimotho 1 , David Muchiri 2 .and Lutta. W. Mohammad 3 Presented at the International Food Security Dialogue 2014 “Enhancing Food Production, Gender Equity and Nutritional Security in a Changing World.”
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Sustainable Food Production: Enhancing resilience in smallholders cropping systems and food security through agro-forestry: The case of green grams intercropped with Melia volkensii

Jan 13, 2015

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Page 1: Sustainable Food Production: Enhancing resilience in smallholders cropping systems and food security through agro-forestry: The case of green grams intercropped with Melia volkensii

Sponsored By: Hosted By:

“Enhancing resilience in smallholder cropping systems and food security through agro-forestry: The case of green grams (Vignia radiata) intercropped with Melia volkensii in the Semiarid Eastern Kenya”

Lawrence M. Kimotho1, David Muchiri2.and Lutta. W. Mohammad3

Presented at the International Food Security Dialogue 2014“Enhancing Food Production, Gender Equity and Nutritional Security in a Changing World.”

Page 2: Sustainable Food Production: Enhancing resilience in smallholders cropping systems and food security through agro-forestry: The case of green grams intercropped with Melia volkensii

Introduction• The arid and semi arid lands of Kenya are characterized by low erratic and

unreliable rainfall which often results in crop failures.• There is need therefore to device innovative ways of cushioning the

farmers in these areas against loses and food shortage caused by these frequent droughts.

• Agroforestry using adapted crop varieties and tree species has shown good potential in terms of providing food and tree products (Broadhead J. S. 2000, Juma et al 1995, M. R Rao et al 1998, and Sheffy et al 2010).

• Efforts to establish Melia volkensii a well adapted multi purpose tree in this area has faced challenges especially the tree spacing, propagation materials and intercropping possibilities (Kimondo et al 2008, Kimondo et al 2004, Muok et al 2010, and Mulanda et al 2013).

“Enhancing Food Production, Gender Equity and Nutritional Security in a Changing World.”

Page 3: Sustainable Food Production: Enhancing resilience in smallholders cropping systems and food security through agro-forestry: The case of green grams intercropped with Melia volkensii

Introduction cont• Melia volkensii has higher economic value when

compared to other multi purpose trees in this area (Wekesa et al 2012)

• A trial was therefore established to evaluate the performance of green grams (Vigna radiata Wilczek) intercropped with Melia volkensii at varying spacing.

• The aim was to establish the best spacing for the tree which will result in optimum tree products at the same time maximizing on crop production.

“Enhancing Food Production, Gender Equity and Nutritional Security in a Changing World.”

Page 4: Sustainable Food Production: Enhancing resilience in smallholders cropping systems and food security through agro-forestry: The case of green grams intercropped with Melia volkensii

Methodology

• The study was initiated during the short rains (SR) 2009/2010 November January season.

• Study sites: Kibwezi in Makueni County and Mutomo in Kitui county

• Design: Randomized complete block design. Replicated 3 times.

• Trees were planted in 5 plots spaced at 3m by 3m, 4m by 4m, 4m by 4m total pruning, 5m by 5m, 6m by 6m, and a control plot without the trees.

“Enhancing Food Production, Gender Equity and Nutritional Security in a Changing World.”

Page 5: Sustainable Food Production: Enhancing resilience in smallholders cropping systems and food security through agro-forestry: The case of green grams intercropped with Melia volkensii

Methodology cont.

• Green grams (N26 variety) were intercropped with the trees and in the control plot spaced at 45cm by 15cm.

• Initial tree growth in the 1st season was based on increase in diameter at ground level / root collar diameter (RCD) and later on diameter at breast height i.e. at 1.3m (DBH)

• The diameter and height measurements were taken at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after planting

• The other data taken included green gram grain yields

“Enhancing Food Production, Gender Equity and Nutritional Security in a Changing World.”

Page 6: Sustainable Food Production: Enhancing resilience in smallholders cropping systems and food security through agro-forestry: The case of green grams intercropped with Melia volkensii

Table 1: - Treatments and plot sizes.

“Enhancing Food Production, Gender Equity and Nutritional Security in a Changing World.”

Treatment Plot size Net plot size

3m by 3m 12m by 21m 9m by 9m

4m by 4m 20m by 24m 8m by 8m

4m by 4m Total pruning

20m by 24m 8m by 8m

5m by 5m 20m by 20m 10m by 10m

6m by 6m 24m by 24m 12m by 12m

Control (No trees) 10m by 10m 8m by 8m

Page 7: Sustainable Food Production: Enhancing resilience in smallholders cropping systems and food security through agro-forestry: The case of green grams intercropped with Melia volkensii

“Enhancing Food Production, Gender Equity and Nutritional Security in a Changing World.”

Plate 1: Planting green grams with the Melia volkensii trees

Page 8: Sustainable Food Production: Enhancing resilience in smallholders cropping systems and food security through agro-forestry: The case of green grams intercropped with Melia volkensii

“Enhancing Food Production, Gender Equity and Nutritional Security in a Changing World.”

Plate 2: Harvesting green grams

Page 9: Sustainable Food Production: Enhancing resilience in smallholders cropping systems and food security through agro-forestry: The case of green grams intercropped with Melia volkensii

“Enhancing Food Production, Gender Equity and Nutritional Security in a Changing World.”

Table 2: Green gram Grain Yields at various Spacing during LR 2010 and SR 2010/2011

Treatments

Grain Yields in Kgs/HaLR 2010 SR 2010/2011

3m by 3m 523 b 280 b4m by 4m 742 ab 322 b4m by 4m Total Pruned 595 b 388 ab5m by 5m 767 ab 373 b6m by 6m 822 ab 276 bNo Melia 1093 a 607 aLSD (0.05) 355 225CV % 25.6 33.1

Results

Page 10: Sustainable Food Production: Enhancing resilience in smallholders cropping systems and food security through agro-forestry: The case of green grams intercropped with Melia volkensii

“Enhancing Food Production, Gender Equity and Nutritional Security in a Changing World.”

Table 3: Melia volkensii tree Height at various Spacing at 3 months, 6 months, 12 months and 24 months

Treatment

Tree Height in cm3 Months 6 Months 12 Moths 24 Months

3m by 3m 75 a 192 a 237 a 342 b4m by 4m 71 a 208 a 274 a 387 ab4m by 4m Total Pruned

76 a 195 a 251 a 384 ab

5m by 5m 76 a 202 a 258 a 358 b6m by 6m 71 a 202 a 288 a 434 aLSD (0.05) 20.2 43.5 55.0 59.3CV % 33.0 26.1 28.2 20.0

Page 11: Sustainable Food Production: Enhancing resilience in smallholders cropping systems and food security through agro-forestry: The case of green grams intercropped with Melia volkensii

“Enhancing Food Production, Gender Equity and Nutritional Security in a Changing World.”

Table 4: Melia volkensii tree Diameter - RCD and DBH at various Spacing at 3 months, 6 months, 12 months and 24 months

Treatment

Tree Diameter - RCD and DBH in cmRCD 3 Months DBH 6 Months DBH 12 Moths DBH 24

Months

3m by 3m 1.8 a 1.6 a 2.6 b 3.9 b4m by 4m 1.6 a 1.9 a 3.2 ab 4.8 b4m by 4m Total Pruned

1.6 a 1.6 a 2.7 b 4.1 b

5m by 5m 1.7 a 1.7 a 2.7 b 4.4 b6m by 6m 1.7 a 2.0 a 3.7 a 6.2 aLSD (0.05) 0.4 0.7 0.91 0.93CV % 29.9 50.7 36.6 23.6

Page 12: Sustainable Food Production: Enhancing resilience in smallholders cropping systems and food security through agro-forestry: The case of green grams intercropped with Melia volkensii

“Enhancing Food Production, Gender Equity and Nutritional Security in a Changing World.”

0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.50

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

f(x) = 0.1 x + 1.55R² = 0.5

Spacing - Diameter Relationship at 6 months

Spacing

Diam

eter

0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.50

0.51

1.52

2.53

3.54

f(x) = 0.28 x + 2.35R² = 0.509090909090909

Spacing - Diameter Rela-tionship at 12 months

Spacing

Diam

eter

in c

mFigure 1: Tree Diameter at Varying Spacing Figure 2: Tree Diameter at Varying Spacing

Page 13: Sustainable Food Production: Enhancing resilience in smallholders cropping systems and food security through agro-forestry: The case of green grams intercropped with Melia volkensii

“Enhancing Food Production, Gender Equity and Nutritional Security in a Changing World.”

0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5180

185

190

195

200

205

210

f(x) = 2.4 x + 195R² = 0.21818181818182

Spacing - Height Relationship at 6 months

Spacing

Heig

ht in

cm

0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.50

50100150200250300350

f(x) = 13.7 x + 230R² = 0.651362137775463

Spacing - Height Relationship at 12 months

SpacingHe

ight

in c

mFigure 3: Tree Height at Varying Spacing Figure 4: Tree Height at Varying Spacing

Page 14: Sustainable Food Production: Enhancing resilience in smallholders cropping systems and food security through agro-forestry: The case of green grams intercropped with Melia volkensii

“Enhancing Food Production, Gender Equity and Nutritional Security in a Changing World.”

0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.50

100200300400500600700800900

f(x) = 92.2 x + 483R² = 0.821543576164061

Spacing - Grain Yield Rela-tionship during LR 2010

Spacing

Grai

n Yi

elds

Kgs

/Ha

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 70

100200300400500600700

f(x) = 49.6 x + 200.733333333333R² = 0.569260604351046

Spacing - Grain yields Rela-tionship during SR 2010/2011

Spacing

Grai

n yi

elds

Kgs

/Ha

Figure 5: Grain Yield at Varying Spacing Figure 6: Grain Yield at Varying Spacing

Page 15: Sustainable Food Production: Enhancing resilience in smallholders cropping systems and food security through agro-forestry: The case of green grams intercropped with Melia volkensii

“Enhancing Food Production, Gender Equity and Nutritional Security in a Changing World.”

GG Pure Stand 6mX6m 5mX5m 4mX4mPr 4mX4m 3mX3m

100

75.270.2

54.4

67.9

47.8

100

45.5

61.4 63.9

5346.1

Green gram Grain Yields at various Treatments Expressed as % of Pure stand during LR 2010 and SR 10/11

Figure 7: Green grams grain yields in inter cropped plots as % of pure stand

Page 16: Sustainable Food Production: Enhancing resilience in smallholders cropping systems and food security through agro-forestry: The case of green grams intercropped with Melia volkensii

“Enhancing Food Production, Gender Equity and Nutritional Security in a Changing World.”

Challenges• Droughts: Out of the six planted seasons there

was crop in only three • Availability of planting materials: Melia volkensii

seedlings are difficult to raise due to the seeds two hard coats and its dormancy.

• Funding: Funding of the activity has been on and off

• Many farmers in the dry areas of Kenya have not taken trees as enterprises which could be commercialized

Page 17: Sustainable Food Production: Enhancing resilience in smallholders cropping systems and food security through agro-forestry: The case of green grams intercropped with Melia volkensii

Conclusions and Way forward • The green grams grain yields of 75% during the second season

and 63% during the third season for the best spacing treatment as compared with the control shows that there is potential in inter cropping green grams with Melia volkensii.

• This practice if adopted would provide food, fodder, timber, fire wood, charcoal and hence improve the farmers lively hoods.

• There is need for the trial to continue in order to establish for how long the Melia volkensii would be inter cropped with the green grams economically and what would be the best spacing for the Melia volkensii which would give the optimum green gram grain yields and tree products.

“Enhancing Food Production, Gender Equity and Nutritional Security in a Changing World.”

Page 18: Sustainable Food Production: Enhancing resilience in smallholders cropping systems and food security through agro-forestry: The case of green grams intercropped with Melia volkensii

“Enhancing Food Production, Gender Equity and Nutritional Security in a Changing World.”

(CIFSRF, IDRC/DRATD, CIDA) CanadaUniversity of Alberta Alberta CanadaDirector KARI KenyaAssistant Director Social Economics and Applied

Statistics KARIAssistant Director Food Crops KARICenter Director KARI KatumaniDr. Kigwa KEFRI KituiJoyce Kituku and Pius Matieka KEFRI Kibwezi

Acknowledgements

Page 19: Sustainable Food Production: Enhancing resilience in smallholders cropping systems and food security through agro-forestry: The case of green grams intercropped with Melia volkensii

“Enhancing Food Production, Gender Equity and Nutritional Security in a Changing World.”

Thanks for Listening