The soils of Eldoret International airport farm and their suitability for arable crops: Uasin Gishu District. Kenya Soil Surveys No S31 2002

Abstract

The request to carry out a soil survey of Eldoret International Airport Farm was made by the General Manager of Kenya Airports Authority, Nairobi. The objective of the survey was to carry out soil investigations on approximately 327 hectares of land and to assess the soils suitability for rain fed arable crops (e.g. maize, wheat and beans) growing. Fieldwork was done between and 24th June and 8th July, 2002. The authors are grateful to the Director KARI, Director NARL, the Head KSS and Engineer M. Mukwana for facilitating the soil mapping and to Engineer J.K. Talamu for the support rendered when carrying out the fieldwork. Acknowledgement is also extended to the other staff of Eldoret International Airport who in one way or the other made the survey work successful. The Agricultural extension staff of Kapsaret Division (Uasin Gishu District) assisted in supplying information on the important arable crops in the area. Acknowledgements are also due to the Kenya Soil Survey GIS and Laboratory staff for drawing the soil map and for carrying out soil analysis respectively