KARI - National Agricultural Research Laboratories - Kenya Soil Survey Annual Report 2006

Abstract

Kenya Soil Survey (KSS) is a section of the National agricultural Research Laboratories (NARL) under the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARl). The section has four units, which are Administration Unit (AU), Natural Resource Unit (NRU), Laboratory and Analytical ServicesUnit (LASU) and the Information Unit (lU). The units collaborate in the provision of information to different clients for a better management of the soil natural resource. The main activities undertaken or executed by KSS are based on the following objectives: * To conduct inventories on soils, environment and their inter-relationship with agricultural production and natural resource management * To provide services on soil survey, soil fertility and other land resources for recommendations on specific or alternative land uses for purposes of land development, soil natural resource and environment management. The recommendations give possible management remedial measures for sustainable crop production. * To undertake soil characterization for research on request. * To carry out research on the most effective methods of collecting and presenting land resource information (soils, vegetation, land use and environmental aspects) information. * To do research on the characteristics of the major soils, their environmental conditions and potential limitations for crop production in time and space. * To assess the possible impacts on the environment resulting from agricultural activities. This Annual Report gives a general overview of the activities that took place during year 2005 and is divided into three parts. Part I gives a general overview which covers a summary of the technical work, staff matter, donors financial assistance, collaboration with other programs and institutions, conferences, meetings and workshops attended and publications produced during the year. Part II covers technical and research work executed while part III covers non-technical activities undertaken by the different units in the section.