Browsing by Author "MUYA, E.M."
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Item Analysis of Tobacco Production Systems under different Soil and Environmental Conditions in South Nyanza Region, Kenya(Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, 2008) Kenya Agricultural Research Institute; MUYA, E.M.; GACHINI, G.N.; Kenya Agricultural Research InstituteThe main objective of the soil survey was to collect the biophysical data that will assist in formulating the recommendations for improved nutrient use efficiency in tobacco growing region, Western Province. This activity was carried out as per the terms of reference between Kenya Soil Survey and BAT Company. The sites were characterized in terms of observable soil characteristics such as slope, colour, depth, texture, and compactness. These characteristics, to a certain extent, related to non-observable soil characteristics that must be determined in the laboratory. The results showed that there were both uniformity and sharp variations in soil conditions in some areas. Sharp variations in soil conditions within the same farm offered a serious challenge in giving recommendations for sustainable use of each soil mapping unit, particularly in cases where each soil unit differed with any other adjoining soil units to an extent that it would respond differently to management. In addition to this problem, steep slope, shallow soils and extremely compact soils, were found to be the major cause of land degradation, hence declining soil fertility and productivity. This result in low water use efficiency and unsustainable development. Based on these findings, the following were recommended as the way foreward: 1) Identification of appropriate biophysical indicators of sustainability to be done and used for detailed characterization of the farms. This will assist in formulating strategies for sustainable crop production. 2) Demonstration plots to be characterized in details in terms of the relevant biophysical indicators to facilitate the up scaling of the technologies in broad geographical scales. 3) Opportunities for run-off control and water harvesting to be explored as strategy for improving water use efficiency 4) Address the issues of the most limiting factor to crop growth.Item Strategies for Sustainable Ecosystem Management and Improved Water Use in Marigat and TOT: Characterization of the Project Area for the Identification of the Sustainable Management Approaches(Kenya Agriculture Research Institute, 2007) MUYA, E.M.; LELON, J.K.; Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI); Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI)The field activities in World Vision ADP sites by the research scientists from KARI and KEFRI were carried out in the following broad ecosystems: (1) area with rugged topography, steep slopes, shallow, rocky and stony soils (Cluster 1). In this area, a combination of run-off and spring water causes severe land degradation in the lowlands, and therefore need to harnessed and converted into productive use. In this area, there are opportunities for alternative enterprises such as fruits and crops with high tolerance to adverse environmental conditions; (2) lowland with flat to gentle slopes, where rainfed agriculture and severe land degradation is taking place with gully formation (Cluster 2). In this area, attempts are being made to restore the degraded ecosystems through pasture establishment; (3) Lowland with flat slopes and irrigated agriculture. In this area, sustainable irrigated agriculture with a wide range of horticultural crops for both local and export markets are envisaged (Cluster 3). This zonation or clustering has been developed to aid in formulating appropriate and sustainable management strategies. The main issues emerging from these areas is the need to characterize them and provide capacity building in carrying out the integrated analysis of the biophysical and socioeconomic data, as a basis of formulating sustainable management strategies. In this regard, the following are suggested: (1) To make a field trip to Tot to establish ground conditions. (2) To carry out detailed participatory biophysical and socio-economic characterization and mapping of the identified zonation/clusters. (3) To carry out participatory identification of the appropriate management strategies for each of the three clusters as well as developing the environmental management plan. (4) To develop appropriate sustainability indicators, carry out participatory demonstration, monitoring and evaluation of the identified technologies in each of the three zonation/ clusters.
