Kenyan farmers have acknowledged how organic fertilizer under the initiative of USAID's Current and Emerging Threats to Crops Innovation Lab (CETC IL) came in handy for them after inorganic fertilizer prices skyrocketed during the invasion of Ukraine by Russia.

As part of a partnership program by USAID, CETC IL, Penn State, and PlantVillage to scale up Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices in 11 counties in Kenya early this year, farmers received free training and farm inputs in exercises conducted by officers from Dream Team Agro Consultancy Limited.

The farmers received maize, bean, and desmodium seeds, biochar, and most importantly, organic planting and topper fertilizer, depending on the sizes of mapped maize demo plots.

The maize fields were monitored and treated accordingly with Kichawi Kill for striga, parasitoids for fall armyworm, as well as good agricultural practices, which included intercropping and conservation agriculture.

It was during the onset of the project that the government of Kenya announced an increase in fertilizer prices following the Russia-Ukraine crisis. A 50 kg of DAP increased from KSH 2,500 ($21) to KSH 6,000 ($50) while CAN and UREA increased from KSH 2,000 ($17) to the same amount.

Farmers interviewed during the advanced stages of the CETC IL IPM packages project reported how strategic the input distribution and training program had been owing to the fact that it was the same time fertilizer and other inputs sharply went up. 

Hudson Lumosi from Kakamega County, whose one-acre maize plot was majorly treated with parasitoids to control fall armyworm, said not only did he benefit from an alternative to the expensive fertilizer but also a rise in yield.

"It was encouraging to learn that not only is organic fertilizer and biochar affordable but also the best remedy for our acidic soils. From 11 bags of maize last season, I am projecting a rise in production to 40 bags," he said.

Rachael Mutai from Uasin Gishu County shared a similar experience. Her one-acre plot is now flourishing with strong and healthy-looking maize crops after applying biochar, organic fertilizer, parasitoids, and intercropping.

"When we heard the Agriculture CS Peter Munya announce the increase in fertilizer prices, we sank low. But with the coming of PlantVillage and their organic farming project gave us a wonderful solution. I and my community of farmers now realized that there is an affordable and more productive alternative to inorganic fertilizers," she said.

Rachael also shared her experience of using inorganic fertilizers for a long time, saying they destroyed her soil to the extent of using a large amount of it with little success.