Protecting Your Soybean Crop: Farmers Combat Rust Disease in Western Kenya

Farmers in Kenya are being trained to detect and manage Soybean rust – a devastating fungal disease which can reduce crop yields by up to 80 percent if left unchecked.

Despite the severity of the disease, many farmers are unaware of Soybean rust  and at worse, do not know how to effectively manage it.

In Western Kenya, surveys have shown that approximately 80% of soybean farmers have experienced rust infestations in their fields. Kenya currently produces about 1, 1,00 metric tons of soybean annually — far below the national requirements of 150,000 metric tons of soybean — Soybean rust poses a significant threat to food security and farmers’ livelihoods. The disease is one of key challenges leading to the low  cultivation of soybean in Kenya.

In addition to food, soybean is valued as livestock feed because of its high protein content, besides it is a source of key industrial materials in the production of cooking oil, soap and bio-energy in Kenya.

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), in partnership with Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the Kenya Agriculture and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) and the Bungoma County Government, has launched an ambitious project to raise awareness about the disease and has rolled out practical management technologies to farmers. Many smallholder farmers in Kenya are not aware of best agronomic practices which has further reduced the productivity of soybean.

“Soybean rust can wipe out up to 80% of a farmer’s yield, but many farmers don’t even know what it looks like,” said Dr. Harun Murithi, Consultant Crop Health Specialist- Disease & Pest Management at IITA. “Through this project, we are not only raising awareness but also showing farmers practical ways to manage the disease and protect their livelihoods.

The IITA  has launched the Soybean Rust Project in Bungoma County, in partnership with  KALRO which is providing technical leadership and local government support. The project is creating awareness about soybean rust identification and management through farmer training. In addition, it demonstrates effective technologies to control the disease and engage stakeholders across the soybean value chain.

The main objectives of the Soybean Rust Project include increasing soybean productivity by building the capacity of farmers to correctly and timely identify diseases and pests while using proven agronomic management practices. To achieve this, an Early Warning System for surveillance and monitoring of Soybean Rust will be developed and Integrated Pest Management options for soybean Rust demonstrated and adopted.

A recent workshop which attracted over 40 participants from various sectors within the soybean value chain in Kenya, highlighted the collaborative effort needed to combat soybean rust.

A key solution will be  establishment of 100 Farmer Field Schools (FFS) across Bungoma. Each FFS is led by a host farmer who trains and supports about 20 neighbouring farmers, enabling the project to directly reach approximately 2,000 farmers. In addition, 30 field days will be organized, each targeting 100 participants, to reach an estimated 3,000 more farmers.

The FFS uses a participatory learning approach called the “Farmer Field School,”an extension concept developed by FAO where farmers will observe and compare different management practices, which include early planting by demonstrating how planting soybeans early can help avoid peak rust infections. Farmers have been encouraged to use soybean  varieties like BlackHawk and KenSoy which have been officially released in Kenya by KALRO. These varieties are tolerant to soybean rust. Furthermore, the Farmer Field Schools demonstrate the use of fungicides registered for soybean rust management in Kenya to ensure safe and effective application.

By empowering farmers with knowledge and practical tools, the IITA Soybean Rust Project aims to reduce yield losses caused by soybean rust, improve soybean production and to close the current high supply-demand gap in Kenya.

The project aligns with national agricultural priorities and supports Kenya’s ambitions to increase soybean production under government initiatives.

With the potential to reach over 5,000 farmers through field schools and field days, the project will transform soybean farming in Western Kenya, enhancing food security and farmer incomes.

The IITA Soybean Rust Project is a critical step in addressing one of the biggest challenges facing soybean farmers in Kenya. By combining research, farmer education, and innovative technologies, the project is building resilience in the soybean value chain and supporting sustainable agricultural growth in Western Kenya.