*4.6.3 Multimedia extension*

Multimedia extension model was used to create awareness among stakeholders in Western Kenya. A number of radio and TV stations including West FM, Nyota, Citizen TV (Shamba Shape up), Mulemebe, and Nam Lolwe FM partnered with the project in the dissemination and awareness creation of sustainable soil rehabilitation practices.

### **4.7 Towards increased mechanization for smallholder farmers**

Different tillage and soil conservation technologies were introduced *sequentially* to farmers, first on a small trial scale and then on a larger scale over larger plots of land. This step-by-step and innovative approach is considered more suitable for farmers' understanding and subsequent adoption and modification of tools and equipment. Farmers tested the tools on small plots of land before using them on larger plots. After observing the results, the engineers modified the tools to be more suitable and friendly to the farmer's situation. Three types of tillage systems are practiced in western Kenya: no-till or minimal tillage, row tillage and cover tillage. Row tillage

*Protection and Rehabilitation of Degraded Soils in Western Kenya: Experiences from Two… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.113977*

**Figure 2.** *Chaka Jembe. Source: GIZ ProSoil.*

works well on fairly flat but poorly drained soil, while mulch is done on soil with a high capacity to retain waste. Tillage includes all the physical, mechanical, chemical or biological activities performed to prepare the seedbed for seed germination, germination and seed formation, root development and plant growth.

Chaka Jembe (**Figure 2**) is a hand-hoe used for tillage on a smaller scale while an animal-drawn tiller is used on a larger scale. The load-bearing weight of the Jab planter has been reduced from 9 kg to 6 kg to be lighter and more suitable for female users. The length of the weeder's shallow handle has been increased from 1 m to 1.4 m to reduce stress, especially for women. Hand tillers are used to smash hard pans into the ground.

Soil acidity is a major problem in western Kenya, due to monoculture, especially in the sugarcane region, coupled with the excessive use of chemical fertilizers. The recommended solution is agricultural liming, but this method of application is neither safe nor effective. As a result, the project introduced a more efficient and safer manual lime spreader.

The benefit from using these technologies is that farmers prepare their land in a timely manner as they do not have to depend on cow plow owners who are often overwhelmed with demand for services during peak times. Timely implementation of field activities such as tillage and other field activities helps households mitigate the challenges of climate change such as variations in rainfall. Crop residue and cover crop management has been maximized, resulting in no tillage to conserve soil temperature, water, fertility and leaching capacity, etc.
