Micro-spatial Analysis of Maize Yield Gap Variability and Production Factors on Smallholder Farms
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Date
2019Author
Munialo, Sussy
Hall, Ola
Maria, Francisca AB
Niklas, Boke-Olen
Onyango, Cecilia M
Oluoch-Kosura, Willis
Marstorp, Hakan
Djurfeldt, Göran
Type
ArticleLanguage
enMetadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Site-specific land management practice taking into account variability in maize yield gaps
(the difference between yields in the 90th percentiles and other yields on smallholder farmers’
fields) could improve resource use efficiency and enhance yields. However, the applicability of the
practice is constrained by inability to identify patterns of resource utilization to target application
of resources to more responsive fields. The study focus was to map yield gaps on smallholder fields
based on identified spatial arrangements differentiated by distance from the smallholder homestead
and understand field-specific utilization of production factors. This was aimed at understanding
field variability based on yield gap mapping patterns in order to enhance resource use efficiency on
smallholder farms. The study was done in two villages, Mukuyu and Shikomoli, with high and low
agroecology regarding soil fertility in Western Kenya. Identification of spatial arrangements at 40
m, 80 m, 150 m and 300 m distance from the homestead on smallholder farms for 70 households was
done. The spatial arrangements were then classified into near house, mid farm and far farm basing
on distance from the homestead. For each spatial arrangement, Landsat sensors acquired via
satellite imagery were processed to generate yield gap maps. The focal statistics analysis method
using the neighborhoods function was then applied to generate yield gap maps at the different
spatial arrangements identified above. Socio-economic, management and biophysical factors were
determined, and maize yields estimated at each spatial arrangement. Heterogeneous patterns of
high, average and low yield gaps were found in spatial arrangements at the 40 m and 80 m distances.
Nearly homogenous patterns tending towards median yield gap values were found in spatial
arrangements that were located at the 150 m and 300 m. These patterns correspondingly depicted
field-specific utilization of management and socio-economic factors. Field level management
practices and socio-economic factors such as application of inorganic fertilizer, high frequency of
weed control, early land preparation, high proportion of hired and family labor use and allocation
of large land sizes were utilized in spatial arrangements at 150 and 300 m distances. High
proportions of organic fertilizer and family labor use were utilized in spatial arrangements at 40 and
80 m distances. The findings thus show that smallholder farmers preferentially manage the
application of socio-economic and management factors in spatial arrangements further from the
homestead compared to fields closer to the homestead which could be exacerbating maize yield
Agriculture 2019, 9, 219 2 of 24
gaps. Delineating management zones based on yield gap patterns at the different spatial
arrangements on smallholder farms could contribute to site-specific land management and enhance
yields. Investigating the value smallholder farmers attach to each spatial arrangement is further
needed to enhance the spatial understanding of yield gap variation on smallholder farms
Citation
Munialo S, Hall O, Francisca ABM, Boke-Olén N, Onyango MC, Oluoch-Kosura W, Marstorp H, D. G. "Micro-Spatial Analysis of Maize Yield Gap Variability and Production Factors on Smallholder Farms." Agriculture. 2019;9:219.Publisher
Micro-spatial Analysis of Maize Yield Gap Variability and Production Factors on Smallholder Farms
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