Sugarcane Production Technologies and Best Management Practices

Transcription

1 Republic of Kenya Sugar Research Institute The European Union REPORT ON THE CAPACITY BUILDING TRAINING WORKSHOP FOR FARMERS IN NYANZA AND WESTERN SUGAR BELTS April-June 2016 Sugarcane Production Technologies and Best Management Practices By Lilian Odongo (ICT-Documentation)

2 REMARKS FROM THE SPONSORS The Director, SRI Dr. Japheth Jamoza Sugar Research Institute under the structure of Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) is mandated to conduct research and development of appropriate production technologies and services for sustainable and enhanced production of sugarcane, the sugar industry support over 6 million Kenyans and over 250,000 farmers depend on sugarcane growing for their livelihoods. Increase in sugarcane production can be achieved by performing best management practices like; plant new varieties that early maturing with high sucrose contents, e.g 12 months maturity, testing soils to know the acidity and fertility of the land, technology development by improving the fibre content, proper land preparation, soil management and planting quality seedcane free from diseases. SRI has developed over 21 improved sugarcane varieties over the years. It is SRI s responsibility to disseminate information to farmers; SRI will collaborate with the counties in consultation with farmers to disseminate the new technologies developed to farmers for increased yields. The training was organized to breach the knowledge gap of sugarcane farmers with the view to improve sugarcane production, farmers were encouraged to highly adopt the knowledge and skills acquired during training as this would raise their agricultural practices to the next level of production. The Centre Director, SRI Dr. Betty Mulianga The significance of learning is an essential element to growth as far as capacity building is concerned. Farmers are the driving force behind quality and increased production of sugarcane in the sugar industry and are urged to cooperate and support research work in elevating standards of sugarcane production. To broaden its scope, SRI has embarked on empowering the women and youth to fully acquire the necessary knowledge and skills on sugarcane production technologies and best management practices for increased and sustainable yields. This will transform their economics status to ensure poverty eradication, improved livelihoods and wealth creation. Information is power, SRI has established an effective information management and exchange mechanism to disseminate appropriate sugarcane and sugar production technologies for all players in the industry. ii

3 Head of Technology Transfer - Mr. James Odenya Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) made an obligation in the 2015/16 Performance Contract to the Government to train sugarcane farmers on standards of Good Agricultural Practices (K-GAP) in order to ensure competitiveness of Kenyan produce in the world market. This will greatly improve farmers knowledge on sugarcane farming, lead to high yield and proceeds, creation of wealth and employments consequently improving their livelihoods. In defining gender roles, men were urged to support and empower women to fully participate in farming and attend refresher courses in the same capacity which would transform their economic status. Farmers were encouraged to grow sugarcane alongside other food crops to promote diversification within the regions. Farmers need to learn how to organize themselves and their communities to form coherent farmer groups (FRG) that supports establishment of demonstration plots for bulking of seedcane and distribution in the farmers fields. SRI will do surveillance to ensure that farmers are practicing the right sugarcane growing systems for improved yields. Feedback systems are available to enable stakeholders (farmers) to express their views and experiences about sugarcane growing. The Head of SRSP Dr. John Rono The European Union (EU) project mandate is to empower farmers through capacity building by improving their knowledge and skills and attitudes about farming matters to achieve their goals. Team work is key and men were encouraged to work in one accord with women with an aim of increasing production for better yields. The 100% turn out for the training was positive and therefore urged participants to fully concentrate during sessions as the information and topics presented were well packaged for ease of farmers understanding. For future reference, the project published detailed information on various facts about sugarcane management. Challenges that face farmers in their production areas are to be addressed by the key players in the sugar industry. iii

4 TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES... v LIST OF FIGURES... vi 1.0 INTRODUCTION Objective Specific Objectives Farmers Expectation on Training Facilitation Mode FINDINGS Distribution by County Distribution by Gender Gender distribution by county Distribution by Age Age distribution by county Proportion of disable participants TOPICS COVERED Issues raised by the farmers during the training Suggestions CONCLUSION PICTORIALS Mabanga Bungoma county Kakamega county Multipurpose training centre Homabay county farmers Kisii ATC Migori county Kisii ATC Kisii/Narok county farmers Kisii ATC Kericho county (Soin/Muhoroni farmers) Tea Research Institute (TRI) Kisumu county (Kibos/Chemelil)- Tea Research Institute (TRI) iv

5 LIST OF TABLES Table 1: Activity work plan by counties... 1 Table 2: Subcounty representation... 3 Table 3: Distribution by County,Gender, Age and PWD... 3 Table 4: Topics Covered and facilitators... 7 v

6 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1: Distribution of the participants by county... 4 Figure 2: Distribution of the participants by gender... 4 Figure 3: Gender distribution by county... 5 Figure 4: Distribution of the participants by gender... 5 Figure 5: Distribution of the participants by gender... 6 Figure 6: Distribution of the participants by PWD... 6 vi

7 1.0 INTRODUCTION The Sugar Research Institute (SRI) being one of the institutes established by Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research (KALRO) Act of 2014 is mandated to undertake research and disseminate information, innovations and technologies for the production of sugarcane processing of sugar and co-products to enhance productivity and competitiveness in the sugar industry. In order to achieve its objective, SRI embraces training as a tool to build capacity of sugarcane farmers and other stakeholders on the best cane production technologies in sugarcane growing areas for enhanced productivity and sustainability. SRI through its outreach sub-centres namely; Mumias, Opapo and Nyando sugarcane growing zones organized for trainings based on the results of training needs assessment undertaken earlier, targeting an all inclusive sugarcane farming community comprising of men, women, the youth and persons living with disability (PWDs), who had partial knowledge on sugarcane farming and had never been trained before. SRI in collaboration with the Sugar Milling Companies within Nyanza/Western Sugar belts and the County governments of Bungoma, Kakamega, Homabay, Migori, Kisii, Narok, Kericho and Kisumu organized for a five (5) day farmers training workshop in each county as follows: Table 1: Activity work plan by counties Date County Venue-institution 18 th -22 nd April 2016 Bungoma Mabanga Agricultural Training Centre (ATC) 25 th -29 th April 2016 Kakamega Multipurpose, Kakamega 2 nd -6 th May 2016 Homabay Kisii Agricultural Training Centre (ATC ) 9 th -13 th May 2016 Migori Kisii Agricultural Training Centre (ATC) 16 th -20 th May 2016 Kisii and Narok Kisii Agricultural Training Centre (ATC) 23 rd May-3 rd June 2016 Kericho and Kisumu Tea Research Institute (TRI) Kericho The training activity was jointly funded by the Government of Kenya (GOK) and the European Union (EU) under the Sugar Reforms for Support Project (SRSP) component. The training sessions were graced by a number of high profile guests form each county and institutions who included: The County government officials from Agriculture department The Director, SRI, The Center Director, SRI-Kibos The Center Director, TRI The Head of Technology Transfer, SRI The Head of SRSP, SRI The Principals of the ATCs 1

8 1.1 Objective The overall objective of the training was to enhance capacity of the farmers on all aspects of appropriate sugarcane production technologies Specific Objectives The specific training objective included to:- 1. Educate farmers on Best Agricultural Practices on Sugarcane production with a view to Increase sugarcane yields through dissemination and adoption of appropriate sugarcane production technologies and innovation 2. Increase sugarcane yields through adoption of appropriate sugarcane production technologies 3. Educate farmers on technologies that have been generated by SRI and their application in sugarcane Production. 4. Educate farmers on their roles and that of other players in the Sugarcane production value chain 5. Educate farmers on challenges in sugarcane farming as a business 6. Enhance diffusion and adoption of Improved Sugarcane varieties 7. Educate farmers on enterprise diversification programmes with a view to Improve food security and general livelihood 8. Sensitize farmers on cross cutting issues and their relevance to Sugarcane production (Gender, Disability, HIV/AID and, ADA issues). 9. Strengthening the capacity of small scale farmers in order to achieve sustainable agriculture and improved food security. 10. Educate farmers on soil & water conservation and environmental management for sustainable productivity. 1.2 Farmers Expectation on Training Before commencement of the training, farmers expectation regarding the training was sought. The following were their expectation:- 1. To gain knowledge and skills on sugarcane production technologies 2. To use knowledge acquired to empower other farmers 3. To learn changes in the Sugar Industry 4. To learn changes in farming technologies 5. To be educated on new sugarcane varieties 6. To put into practices technologies learnt during the session 7. To learn about Sugarcane pest & diseases 8. To learn about enterprise diversification 9. To be issued with participation certificates 10. To get empowerment in monetary value 1.3 Facilitation Mode The facilitators for the training were drawn from the institute s pool of Research Assistants who achieved the objective through power point presentation conducted via use of the following facilitation modes:- 2

9 i. Lectures ii. Case studies iii. Plenary discussion iv. Questions and answers v. Teaching aids (photographs and video) vi. Field excursions SRI sub-centres/zones conducted training needs assessment within the sugarcane growing areas in the counties, based on the analysis SRI in collaboration with the milling companies undertook the task to select farmers who had never attended any training organized by SRI in the past, they were drawn from the sugarcane growing sub-counties found within the above eight (8) counties as per the table below: Table 2: Subcounty representation County Sub-counties Bungoma Kabuchai Webuye West Webuye East Kimilili Kakamega Navakholo Mumias East Lurambi Homabay Ndhiwa Rangwe Migori Uriri Awendo Rongo Kisii/Narok Kisii south Transmara west Kisumu/Nandi Nyando Muhoroni Tinderet Aldai Kericho Ainamoi Sigowet 2.0 FINDINGS The total number of sugarcane farmers trained was 348. The table below shows distribution by County, Gender, Age and Persons with disability (PWD). Table 3: Distribution by County, Gender, Age and PWD County Gender Age PWD Male Female Total <35 >36 Bungoma Kakamega Homabay Migori Kisii/Narok Kericho Kisumu/Nandi TOTAL Distribution by County The figure below show farmers distribution by county; 17% were from Bungoma, Kakamega 17%, Homabay 15%, Migori 15%, Kisii/Narok 13%, Kericho 12%, Kisumu/Nandi county11% 3

10 Figure 1: Distribution of the participants by county 2.3 Distribution by Gender The figure below shows the distribution of the participants by gender. In particular, 29% of the participants were female while 71% of the participants were male. Figure 2: Distribution of the participants by gender 4

11 2.4 Gender distribution by county The graph below show gender distribution by the counties Figure 3: Gender distribution by county 2.5 Distribution by Age The figure below shows the distribution of the participants by Age. The number of youth (age<35) who attended the training was 115 which is 33% of the sample size while the adults (age>36) were 233 which is 67% of the sample size. Figure 4: Distribution of the participants by gender 5

12 2.6 Age distribution by county The graph below shows Age distribution by the counties Figure 5: Distribution of the participants by gender 2.7 Proportion of disable participants The figure below shows that 7% of the participants were persons living with disability (PWD) while normal persons were 93%. The PWD comprised of farmers who were disabled in one way or another, these included the deaf, the blind and the lame. Figure 6: Distribution of the participants by PWD 6

13 3.0 TOPICS COVERED During the five day long training farmers were educated on all aspects of Sugarcane production. The topics included:- Table 4: Topics Covered and facilitators No. Facilitator Topics Covered 1 Kennedy Yegon Soil Sampling& Sampling techniques Harvesting and Transport Ratoon Management Role of out growers Institution 2 Marygorreti Okal Variety Identification Seed cane Selection 3 Eliud Ombok Fertilizer application, rate, type and methods - Indigenous plants/vegetation that describe the status of Soil fertility - Importance of Soil Sampling & testing - Soil sampling tools& accessories - Soil Sampling procedure& Instruction - Consideration during sampling - Frequency of sampling& testing - Sugarcane harvesting procedure - Cutting procedure - Safe cutting procedure - Ideal harvesting Standards - In field and transit cane losses - Harvested cane transportation - Benefits of Ratoon crops compared to plant crop - Recommended Ratoon Management practices - Trash alignment methods - Advantages of trash in Ratoon management - Definition of Out grower Institutions - Structure & membership - Objective of the Institutions/Mandate - Roles & responsibilities of the various players - Reasons for having different varieties - Criteria used to identify Sugarcane Identification - Different sugarcane Varieties their features, morphology and general characteristics - Meaning of seed - Attributes of ideal Seed material - Seed cane selection criteria - Definition of fertilizer - Type of fertilizers - Rates of fertilizer application by zone - Methods of fertilizer application - Macro nutrients - Micronutrients - Role of potassium in Sugarcane production - Nitrogenous fertilizers and role of Nitrogen in crop 7

14 No. Facilitator Topics Covered Common Sugarcane weeds and their management Seed cane Multiplication 4 Kennedy Ngutu Sugarcane Pest and its control Sugarcane diseases and its control 5 Douglas Omoka Soil and its Management development - Fertilizer deficiency symptoms - Definition of weeds - Economic importance of weeds - Common Sugarcane weeds - Factors influencing weeds survival - Classification of weeds - Major weeds of Sugarcane - Critical period of weed-crop competition - Method of weed control - Integrated weed management - Origin & distribution of Sugarcane - Sugarcane fuzz and its role in sugarcane development - Sugarcane germplasm - Objective of Sugarcane improvement - Improved Sugarcane varieties developed by SRI - Multiplication of Seed cane and collaborating institutions - Selection of parents - Seed cane preparation and treatment - Farmer as Seed cane producer - Identification & requirement for Seed cane farmers - Seed cane nursery - Seed cane harvesting and distribution - Single eye bud technology - Termites - Borers - Moles - White grubs - Primates - Sugarcane scales - Sugarcane aphids - Ratoon stunting disease covering its mode of transmission spread, symptoms and management - Sugarcane Mosaic virus covering its mode of transmission& spread, symptoms and management - Sugarcane leaf yellow virus covering its mode of transmission& spread, symptoms and management - General methods used to control spread of diseases - Meaning of Soil - Function of Soil 8

15 No. Facilitator Topics Covered Variety recommendation by zones - Factors that affect Soil formation & development - Soil component - Soil type - Soil suitable for sugarcane growing - Spoil Physical Suitability parameters - Soil sampling & testing - Soil nutrients that influence yields - Soil loss - Effects of Soil erosion - Soil management - Overview of major Sugarcane varieties in Kenya - Potential impact of New varieties in the Sugar Industry - Features of Sugarcane varieties released by SRI to date - Varieties suitable for Kakamega County 6 Francis Osore Irrigation Methods - Over view of irrigation in Kenya - Description and meaning of irrigation - When should irrigation take place - Factors to consider when designing for irrigation system - Choice of irrigation method - Irrigation methods - System maintenance - Benefits of irrigation Drainage - Description of drainage process and its meaning - Effects of excess water in farms - Factors to consider when designing for a drainage system - Types of drainage Soil and water Conservation Environment Conservation - Description of Soil and water conservation process - Application measures - Conservation measures - Soil & water conservation measures - Water harvesting& its advantages and mitigation measures - Water storage - Features of water pan - Description and definition of environment - Impact of environment degradation - Consequences of not conserving the environment 9

16 No. Facilitator Topics Covered 7 Rashid Katama Enterprise diversification 8 Lilian Odongo E-service in KALRO/SRI 9 Willis Odeny, Dorothy Awino Angela Fedha - Environmental issues in Kenya - Objective of Enterprise diversification - Factors influencing diversification - Drivers of diversification - Benefits of diversification - Factors considered in diversification - Examples of Enterprise Combination Group dynamic - Definition of a group and what Group dynamic involves - Process/Stages of Group development/evolution - Characteristics of a Group - Types of Groups - Factors affecting Group behavior - What causes poor Group performance - Turning Groups into effective teams - Strategies for improving team dynamics - Factors responsible for success of Groups Information access and management Drug and Substance abuse HIV/AIDS Gender &issues - What is E-service - Why E-Service in SRI - Electronic Access mechanisms - The Social media - The SRI website - E-Repository - What is Information management - Rationale for availing information & knowledge - Information Access mechanisms - Steps to managing information - The essence of information management - Meaning of drugs - Illegal drugs - Myth busting - Types of drugs - Effects of drugs - Why people take to drinking - Effects of consuming Alcohol - Overview of HIV/AIDS, Gender and Disability in the Sugar Industry - Best management practices - Gender - HIV/AIDS - Discrimination & stigma - Cultural & tradition 10

17 No. Facilitator Topics Covered - Equity and diversity in the Sugar Industry - Plenary-Discussion 10 Gabriel Bor Land Preparation - Factors considered when selecting sugarcane field - Objective of land preparation - Factors influencing the type of land preparation - Source of power for land preparation - Factors influencing choice of land preparation implements - Categories of land preparation - Stages of land preparation - Appropriate ploughing, harrowing, furrowing and ridging standards Cane establishment - Objective of timely planting - Principles of Good crop Establishment - Sugarcane planting Material - Sugarcane planting methods and their Suitability, Merits and demerits - Recommended Sugarcane establishment standards Role of Farmer - Overview of FRG Approach Research Groups - Advantages of FRG in Technology dissemination - Benefits of FRG - FRG success stories - Case study: Kiptugumo FRG 11 George Adoyo Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) in sugarcane production - FRG formation protocol - Definition of CBA - Uses of CBA - Advantages of using CBA - Designing a CBA - Cost Analysis - Benefit Analysis - Case examples: Mumias, Nzoia, Sony, Transmara, Nyando and Soin sugar zones Keeping Farm - Definition Records - Categories - Examples of the types - Importance of farm records - Application of farm records 12 Asenath Dumo Sign Language - Sign Language interpretation 13 Caroline Thuo Evaluation - Training Evaluation 11

18 3.1 Issues raised by the farmers during the training During the training the farmers raised issues that affect Sugarcane production within the Counties. They noted that some services and operations offered by the milling companies were far below the expected standards, that they were being educated on. Some of the matters raised included:- 1. Delayed payment of sugarcane harvested and supplied to the miller. 2. Non supply of inputs (Fertilizer) by the miller 3. Low cane prices 4. High cost of inputs 5. Poor services by cane cutters contractors 6. Poor seed cane supply 3.2 Suggestions During the training the farmers noted that there was need for SRI to undertake the following:- 1. Follow up and evaluation of the trained farmers in order to assess the impact of such trainings 2. SRI to form more Farmer Research Groups in sugarcane growing zones, especially the trained farmers 3. SRI to advice millers on appropriate Sugarcane Best Management Standards CONCLUSION The Institute achieved its objective by training 348 participants from the various counties; at end of training all the farmers trained were awarded certificates of participation and packaged information on sugarcane production technologies and best management practices. Farmers were urged to implement the knowledge and skill acquired for increased production and wealth creation among the sugarcane farming community. This was an excellent approach and therefore the institute should organize for more training to other areas so as to increase adoption of technologies and improve on management of cane. Report by: Lillian Odongo ICT - Documentation 12

19 4.0 PICTORIALS 4.1 Mabanga Bungoma county Sugarcane farmers in Bungoma county- Group photoo Head of Technology Transfer (TT) addressing farmers Section of participants Training in session Variety identification The Director, SRI awarding certificates to farmers 13

20 Training in session- sugarcane weed management 4.2 Kakamega county Multipurpose training centre The Director, SRI addressing farmers SRPS Project Manager giving remarks Training in session Soil Management Training in session Sugarcane diseases Section of Participants SRPS Project Manager awarding certificates 14

21 4.3 Homabay county farmers Kisii ATC Homabay county farmers The Center Director, SRI giving remarks Training in session Irrigation and drainage Training in session Soil sampling analysis Training in session Seedcane multiplication The Head of Technology transfer awarding certificates 15

22 4.4 Migori county Kisii ATC Migori county farmers Group photo The Director, SRI giving his remarks Training in session sign language interpretation Training in session Cost benefit analysis in sugarcane farming A section of the participants Director of Agriculture, Migori county awarding certificates 16

23 4.5 Kisii/Narok county farmers Kisii ATC Kisii/Narok county farmers Group photo The head of TT, SRI giving his remarks Training in session Keeping farm records Training in session Variety recommendation by zone Training in session Cross cutting issues, HIV Aids and gender issues Director of food crops, Kisii county awarding certificates 17

24 4.6 Kericho county (Soin/Muhoroni farmers) Tea Research Institute (TRI) Soin/Muhoroni farmers, Kericho county Group photo A group pf people living with disability (PDW) Training in session Seedcane selection Training in session Cane Establishment Training in session Enterprises diversification The Head of TT awarding certificates 18

25 4.7 Kisumu county (Kibos/Chemelil)- Tea Research Institute (TRI) Kibos/Chemelil farmers, Kericho county Group photo The Centre Director, TRI giving remarks Training in session E-services in KALRO-SRI Training in session Drug & Substance Abuse Training evaluation session The Head of TT and EU Administrator awarding certificates 19

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