Hannington Odido Ochieng KALRO Kibos Multipurpose Legumes Project The CCRP Eastern Africa Research Methods Workshop Hannington Odido Ochieng KALRO Kibos Maanzoni Lodge 15th – 19th February, 2016

Objectives to identify legume-cereal enhancing strategies suitable for agro-ecological environments of Nandi County to verify farmer preferences for legume-cereal enhancing strategies to empower farmer to evaluate the performance of the strategies by training them on data collection and record keeping

What was done and why? Selected 71 farmers in Nandi Introduced 4 intercropping patterns and farmers selected 2 to test because of land limitations. Plots were 8 by 8 meters. Pattern 1 - 1 row of maize alternating with 1 row of legume Pattern 2 - maize in the same hole with legume, alternating with 1 row of legume Pattern 3 - maize in the same hole with legume, alternating with 2 rows of legume Pattern 4 - 2 rows of maize alternating with 2 rows of legume These patterns were compared to mono-cropped maize and legumes. Experimental design was Randomized Complete Block (RCBD), one replicate per farm Data collected on emergence, stand count, and grain yield for maize and legume Most of the data collection done by farmers assisted by the youths. Data analysis: ANOVA and mean separation by R Interested in evaluating the performance and benefits of Soybean, groundnut, and bean when intercropped with cereals were selected to conduct the trials. Each farmer selected one grain legume that was to be intercropped with maize using two different intercropping patterns that were previously discussed and prioritized. Fertilizer (DAP) was be applied as a blanket treatment at the rate of 150 kg/ ha at planting and management of the trial was left under control of the farmers.

What was found out? Preliminary results show that legume-cereal enhancing strategies improved productivity. Productivity can be improved by: up to 6 times for maize-soybean intercrop systems Pattern 2 - maize in the same hole with legume, alternating with 1 row of soybean was the best up to 4 times in maize-bean intercrop systems Pattern 2 - maize in the same hole with legume, alternating with 1 row of bean was the best up to 3 times in maize-groundnut systems Pattern 2 - maize in the same hole with legume, alternating with 1 row of groundnut was the best Profitability was not determined since the costs of production were not collect

Problems or issues that came up Difficulty of getting the targeted number of farmers due to land scarcity and interest Only about 20% of farmer could collect the agreed data in spite of the training provided In some cases there were no enough replications to allow statistical analysis e.g. only 2 farmers selected pattern 4

Lessons learnt from methods used The trial should target new farmers because the old farmers are likely to be less interested since they have tested some of the patterns being introduced Training should not focus on the participating farmer only, it should target the whole household It is useful to analyse the patterns selected by the farmers before designing the trials