Economic analysis of maize–bean production using a soil fertility replenishment product (PREP-PAC) in Western Kenya
Date
1999Author
Nekesa, P
Maritim, H. K
Okalebo, J. R
Woomer, P. L
Type
ArticleLanguage
enMetadata
Show full item recordAbstract
The Phosphate Rock Evaluation Project (PREP) is testing PREP-PAC, a soil fertility replenishment product specifically designed to ameliorate nutrient-depleted "patches" symptomatic of the worst maize-bean intercrops of smallholders’ fields in western Kenya. PREP-PAC contains two kg Minjingu rock phosphate, 0.2 kg urea, legume seed, rhizobial seed inoculant, seed adhesive and lime pellet, is assembled and is sold for Ksh. 42 (US $ 0.76) and is intended for 25 m2 areas. PREP-PAC was tested on 52 farms in four districts of western Kenya during 1998 and compared with adjacent control plots. Farmers selected either a local bush or climbing variety (cv. Flora) of Phaseolus vulgaris as an intercrop with maize (Zea mays). Use of the combined PREP-PAC and climbing bean package increased maize and bean yields by 0.72 and 0.25 t ha-1, respectively (P < 0.001), resulting in a 161% return on investment. Total revenue from low pH soils (<5.2) was Ksh. 25 for the control and Ksh. 47 for PREP-PAC. In moderate soil pH >(5.3), total revenue was Ksh. 31 for control and Ksh. 68 for PREP-PAC (P < 0.05). Opportunity exists to distribute an affordable soil fertility restoration package among smallhold farmers but the profitability from its use is dependent upon soil conditions and accompanying legume intercrops.
URI
http://www.bioline.org.br/request?cs99049http://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/42573
Citation
P. Nekesa, H. K. Maritim, J. R. Okalebo And P. L. Woomer (1999). Economic analysis of maize–bean production using a soil fertility replenishment product (PREP-PAC) in Western Kenya. African Crop Science Journal, Vol. 7. No. 4, pp. 585-590, 1999Publisher
Faculty of Agriculture, Moi University Department of Soil Science, University of Nairobi