Abstract:
Wheat rust and maize necrosis have reduced yields to uneconomic levels in Narok County. Hence an alternative profitable enterprise is required to sustain farmers’ livelihoods. The objective was to establish profitable commercial Rhodes grass hay enterprises. Established cooperatives were chosen as they had elected leaders and enabled group training. Farmers were trained within their cooperatives on the technology using interactive discussions, case presentations and successful farmer testimony. These were followed by expert training on best practices. This training was reinforced through sample farmers’ exposure trips to established successful commercial hay farmers in Nakuru and Laikipia counties. Members of seven cooperatives (Melelo, Melili, Morijo, Nkareta, Ntulele, Ololunga and Transmara) participated in the training. Except Melelo and Ololunga which had two trainings each, all the remaining cooperatives received one training session. The farmer population trained per cooperative ranged from 13 in Transmara to 80 in Melelo. Average training attendance was 31 farmers and 11 farmers per exposure trip. Farmers at Melili, Ntulele and Transmara had little experience with Rhodes grass. Those from Melelo, Ololunga, Morijo and Nkareta Cooperatives were experienced in Rhodes grass cultivation. These groups were very enthusiastic in Rhodes grass cultivation, seemed very cohesive, with stable and effective leadership. Some of them assisted their neighbours in Rhodes grass establishment. Two farmers owned tractors, seed drills and trailers that were contracted out to farmers. Subsequently,
50 to 100 farmers per cooperative cultivated Rhodes grass on 3 to 10 acres, producing 250 to 300 bales of hay per acre per harvest. Gross margin per acre on wheat, maize and Rhodes grass hay was 11,400, 12,500 and 83,400 shillings annually, respectively. Rhodes grass hay production was, therefore, the most profitable enterprise compared to wheat and maize. Hence, profitable commercial Rhodes grass hay enterprises can be established in Narok County.
