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ohn Ogola is a man of many talents. On a tiny, terraced hillside
plot in western Kenya’s densely populated Vihiga District,
this dedicated farmer grows more than a dozen crops—for
food, forage, green manure, erosion control, lumber, and fuel.
Good composting is his main recipe for success, especially
with horticultural crops like cabbages and kales. He also
raises chickens and one cow, and is about to add rabbits,
goats, and bees to his menagerie.
Ogola is a member of the Mukhombe Farmer Field School. This
is a joint venture by local farmers, CIAT’s Tropical
Soil Biology and Fertility (TSBF) Institute, and Kenya’s
agriculture ministry. The open-air school gives farmers a
chance to learn the dynamics of soil fertility and to experiment
with organic and inorganic soil enhancements
(for more information see pages 10-11).
“Because of the land shortage, I decided to try something
new—horticultural crops—instead of just grazing
my cow,” says Ogola. His penchant for life-long learning
and experimentation are paying off. His intensive production
methods have become a model for other farmers in the village.
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