The yield response of intercrop system to rainfall changes on the southern slopes of Mt. Kenya in Embu Poster presented by James M. Njeru at the 3rd Global Science Conference on Climate-Smart Agriculture in Montpellier. Read more: http://ccafs.cgiar.org/3rd-global-science-conference-%E2%80%9Cclimate-smart-agriculture-2015%E2%80%9D#.VRurLUesXX4

1. Rainfall variations on the southern slopes of Mt. Kenya in Embu, occasioned by climate change often lead to considerable yield losses
in small-holder farms especially when sole-cropping is practiced. Increase in temperature enhance photosynthesis by providing energy.
But the benefits are short lived as water
become deficient during poor rain shows.
This results in serious food insecurity on
the southern slopes of Mt Kenya in Embu.
This study revealed intercropping can
cushion farmers from advanced effect of
the climate.
This can also be supported by the fact that
different plants are affected by weather
differently.
However, proper selection is required to
achieve promising results.
Rainfall decreased by 31.9% from second to third season resulting in Significant decrease on P.
vulgaris yields. Rainfall increased by 27.9% from the first to the second season of the experiment,
confirming the erraticism of rainfall in Embu. Series stand for varieties.
The yield response of intercrop system to rainfall changes
on the southern slopes of Mt. Kenya in Embu.
Introduction
Planting/harvesting Cooking
Maize-beans Intercrop in Embu, Kenya.
Githeri (Cooked
Maize + Beans
Mixture), a popular
meal on the southern
slopes of Mt. Kenya.
Maize before threshing
Beans after threshing
Photosynthesis Temperature and precipitation in Embu, Kenya.
40.0
70.0
100.0
130.0
160.0
Season 1 Season 2 Season 3
Total Precipitation (cm) Total Max Temp (0C)
WATER
CO2
+
CLOROPLAS
T
OXYGEN
SUGAR
+
ENERGY
SUN
40.0
60.0
80.0
100.0
120.0
140.0
160.0
Season 1 Season 2 Season 3
Total Precipitation (cm)
Total Max Temp (0C)
0.0
0.4
0.8
1.2
1.6
2011_SR 2012_LR 2012_SR
Season
BeanYield(t/ha)
Series1 Series2 Series3 Series4
Maize + Bean income (Ksh/ha)
Varieties (Maize x Bean) 2011_SR 2012_LR 2012_SR
KH500Q x Embean14 225,788 150,233 147,713
KDV1 x Embean14 236,872 149,379 139,081
PHB3253 x Embean14 228,702 173,683 172,132
DK8031 x Embean14 219,984 170,917 163,377
Conclusion
Intercropping enhanced by
continuous selection of varieties
was an effective approach of
mitigating rainfall changes risks in
Embu small-holder farms.
Further investigations are needed to
establish effect of conservation
agriculture in mitigating risks due
to climate change in Embu.
Results
It works Finally can smile
LAND Equivalent Ratio (LER
Varieties (Maize x Bean) 2011_SR 2012_LR 2012_SR
KH500Q x Embean14 0.94 1.29 1.04
KDV1 x Embean14 1.24 1.50 1.01
PHB3253 x Embean14 1.14 1.36 1.09
DK8031 x Embean14 1.21 1.23 0.94
Problem
People need enough ‘Githeri’
without compromising or being
compromised by climate
Rainfall variation in Embu Manyatta
division, from 2011SR to 2012SR
Kenya
Livestock searching
for food in the farm
Temperature may
have been high to
provide enough
energy
But without enough
water plant could
not offer much
During the three seasons; 2011 short rains (season1), 2012 long rains (season2) and 2012 short rains
(season3), rainfall varied significantly. Despite temperature being able to speed up photosynthesis, the
rainfall is sometimes too low to lead to enough human food.
Kanampiu Fred1, Njeru M. James2*, Kitonyo Onesmus3, Micheni Alfred4
1International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), c/o ICIPE P.O. Box 30772‐00100, Nairobi,
Kenya. 2International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), P.O. Box 1041‐00621,
Nairobi, Kenya. 3University of Adelaide, Waite Campus, PMB 1 Glen Osmond, SA 5064,
Australia. 4Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO), P.O. Box 57811,City
Square, NAIROBI, 00200, Kenya. *Correspondence: njerumj@hotmail.com