Mehlich III-P and a New Approach to Farmers' Training.

Improving and properly managing tropical soil fertility is essential to achieving food security. Most soils are too degraded for inorganic fertilizers to be effective; therefore, composted cattle manure use in maize production was explored in Western Kenya during the 2010 and 2011 long rain growing seasons. Specifically, this research examined a control and three composted-manure placement options: broadcast, below the seed and next to the row of seeds. No clear relationship between fertilizer placement and yield was observed, so a correlation analysis was conducted. A negative correlation was observed between yield and fertilizer response. Conversely, there was a positive correlation between Mehlich III-P soil test and yield. Therefore, as Mehlich III-P and yield increased, there was a decreased fertilizer response. Based upon this analysis, trial locations were combined by Mehlich III-P levels. Mehlich III-P values below 15 ppm showed a significant yield response to compost regardless of placement. Above 15 ppm, the numerical increase in yield was greater than below 15 ppm, which indicated that compost still has value. Conversations with farmers revealed a strong desire to learn about soil fertility, because they know their land is poor. The scientific community seeks to make this information available to farmers; but, without an effective extension system, the information does not reach the farmers or is too technical. Various organizations attempt to fill this gap; however, information is primarily presented in a ‘how-to’ format. Few, if any, explain the basic principles, which results in low implementation. Many programs focus on increasing farmers’ access to certified seed and inorganic fertilizer, but failure to address the degraded soil, leaves farmers discouraged and skeptical. Rather than teaching farmers “how to make compost,” the focus should be “how did the soil become poor?” and “why is compost valuable?” Using this approach, one NGO witnessed many farmers immediately adopting the use of compost. Within one season, the farmers were impressed with the visible crop improvements, and within two years, the overall agricultural productivity of the community had visible improvements as a result of farmers teaching each other.