ABSTRACT

Farmers in central highlands of Kenya have been experiencing declining crop yields in the recent past. Low water availability caused by low and unreliable rainfall, and poor water harvesting techniques coupled with low soil fertility are key constraints to crop production in these regions. To increase crop yields, and reduce production risks, better use of available rainfall is required. The broad objective of the research was to enhance farmers’ agricultural productivity through improved field management practices in the central Highlands of Kenya. The research was carried out in Maara, Meru South both in Tharaka Nithi County and Mbeere South district in Embu County. The study used both sociological and experimentation approaches. Long term rainfall and other meteorological data were utilized in the modeling exercise. A socio- economic survey was conducted to explore how farmers make crop production decisions and adapt their field practices in response to seasonal rainfall distribution patterns. Tillage and surface management, timing of split nitrogen application and temporal staggered planting trials were conducted to assess their effect on maize yields and also to collect data for AquaCrop model parameterization, calibration and validation. T he field trials were complemented with a runoff study. The rainfall analysis study established the most probable onset, cessation and the length of growing season. Rainfall analysis resulted in establishment of spatial rainfall onset and cessation dates of the study area.

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