Assessing Profitability Of Selected Agro-Ecological Intensification Techniques In Sorghum And Cassava Based Cropping Systems In Yatta Sub County Kenya.

As the world population increases there is pressure on agriculture to supply more food fiber and fuel. This has led to the continual expansion of agricultural land in to arid and semi-arid lands ASALs resulting in land degradation. In particular in sub-Sahara Africa low soil fertility is one of the most constraining factors to agriculture productivity. Initiatives to address soil fertility through use of inorganic fertilizers have yielded below average results in increasing productivity. Agro-ecological intensification AEI technique uses alternative knowledge and local materials to improve soils and increase productivity. This study assesses the economic returns of using AEI techniques compared to simplified conventional agricultural systems. Data was collected from on farm experiment that involved mono cropping crop rotation and intercropping and application of organic inputs. Survey was used to collect data on farmers costs of production yields and commodity prices from a sample of 140 households in Yatta Kenya. Both plot and survey data showed that significantly greater revenues were attained with the application of the AEI practices. Using legumes in intercrop system with application of farmyard manure had the highest profit while crop rotation without application of organic input had the least. At least 28 percent of farmers that adopt all components of the AEI technique attained significantly higher profits than farmers without any organic inputs. The study concludes AEI is a profitable soil fertility management technique. Thus policy should recognize and promote its uptake.