Context

During SGG’s initial visit to Busia it was noticed that a high percentage of the farmland around Mundika had lateritic soils. Not only are these soils infertile, but the subsoil will set like concrete if exposed to the open air. It is a very difficult soil on which to farm. A further problem is that local farmers are too poor to be able to purchase chemical fertilizer: they have to use organic waste as the only readily available alternative. Cattle dung is already used, but most farms have insufficient to cover more than a small portion of their lands. Thus, there is a need to make much greater use of composts if many soils in Busia District are to maintain their fertility at a time when rapid population growth means that soils must be used much more intensively than in the past. The Appropriate Rural Development & Agriculture Programme (ARDAP) is a Kenyan agricultural research institute. They have converted a 1.2 acre plot with lateritic soils into a highly productive smallholding. One of the secrets of their success is the technique of composting. This has enabled them to produce annually 16 tons of compost from organic waste on their 1.2 acre plot. ARDAP are now introducing new composting methods to surrounding farmer groups.

Aim

Macdonald Wesonga, the Director of ARDAP, proudly shows his vermicompost in the making.

To encourage farmer members of OWDF to adopt composting as a method of maintaining soil fertility. Within this broad aim various approaches have been adopted. SGG plans to:

• introduce suitable worms (e.g. Eisenia foetida) to Busia and encourage vermicomposting amongst interested farmers;
• invest in appropriate compost toilets;
• provide training for those interested in organic gardening.

Prospects

July 2010 – this plot shows what can be achieved on infertile tropical soils. This picture shows a raised bed of sukumawiki, but also agroforestry methods with a mixture of grevillea, calliandra and banana trees. Such trees provide a source of woodfuel energy, income from timber sales, fodder for goats, food for honey bees, as well as bananas. In the background is a tree nursery. The key to this intensive landuse and profitable farming is good soil fertility maintenance, based on thorough composting.

There is clearly a demand among Busia farmers for all three composting developments. In order to support this work around Busia, SGG has agreed to:

• continue the search for a reliable source of suitable worms for vermicomposting;
• secure a grant from within the EU of approximately £1,000 for the construction of 10 model compost toilets;
• maintain contact with the UK-registered charity Garden Organic in order to promote organic gardening methods, both around Busia and elsewhere in the Humid Tropics;
• continue training in organic gardening and other innovations being researched at ARDAP.