Humidtropics – Integrated soil fertility management for striga control and enhanced system productivity in western Kenya
The Humidtropics project is a CGIAR Research Program (CRP), which seeks to transform the lives of the rural poor in the humid lowlands, moist savannas and tropical highlands in three major impact zones of sub-Saharan Africa and tropical America and Asia, presently with a population of 2.9 billion people, mostly poor smallholder farmers. The research is guided by a global hypothesis and several related component hypotheses and research questions addressing integrated production system interventions, expanded livelihood options, and the abilities of various institutions to take these interventions to scale and target rural poverty and gender equity outcomes. The project structure is built around three complementary Strategic Research Themes (SRTs). The Humidtropics Cluster 4 implemented in western Kenya seeks to substantially improve the productivity of agricultural systems through sustainable intensification of agriculture. Its technical component consolidates, designs and adapts scalable technical innovations (ISFM approaches, including legume integration) to target-specific locations in western Kenya action site affected by striga. This will cover key soil infertility issues such as soil degradation and nutrient depletion. These will be integrated with striga resistant maize developed in Maseno University. In addition to improving soil fertility these technical components will also address soil degradation in the context of NRM and changing climates.
Partners:
- Lead CGIAR Centre: IITA
- Partner CGIAR Centers: CIAT, VIP, ILRI, ICRAF, Bioversity, and IWMI
- Partner Advanced Institutes: icipe, AVRDC, WUR and FARA
- Action site partners: Maseno University, Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), CIAT and WeRate