Institutional Support
Farmers receive institutional support from the government and a few non-governmental organizations (NGOs) operating in the region. Extension services of the Ministry of Agriculture are active but the region is vast and therefore the coverage is limited. The RCC-Mtwapa is the only governmental research institute that carries out agricultural research in the region. These two institutions have maintained close ties with each other and with the farmers who have improved prospects for technology adoption. However, in the past, transfer of these technologies on farm depended more on researchers than the extension officers. The NGOs operating in the region, Heifer Project International (HPI), World Vision and Care International, provide loans to dairy farmers for purchasing animals. One of the conditions to qualify for loans is that farmers must establish forages. The Coast Development Authority is also involved in technology transfer. It has set up several Farmer Field Schools in strategic areas to educate farmers on better methods of farming. Farmers attend these schools from time of planting to harvesting.
Finally, the biophysical environment of the coastal lowlands has a negative impact on the performance and adoption potential of forages in the region. The region suffers from erratic and prolonged drought periods, which often decreases productivity of forage systems. Napier grass in particular dries up during prolonged droughts. Most soils are sandy and low in organic matter and plant nutrients. Without fertilization and the addition of organic matter to conserve moisture, the productivity of the forages can be affected.