Integrated Management of Water and Nutrient In Arid and Semi-Arid Environment

Abstract

For many Kenyans today, the solution to the frequent food deficits and poverty in the rural areas lies in development of the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL's). They will mention the untapped irrigation potential of the country, which lies in the eighty percent (80%) arid or semi-arid land. Researchers have often been challenged to device ways of conserving rain water for agriculture and ensure that the ASAL's are productive. One vital roll which researchers have not performed well is the of generation of crop production functions for the ASAL's. Indeed, most Kenyan agricultural engineers find it difficult to obtain regional data on various crop responses to water and fertilizer inputs which they require when designing irrigation schemes. The farm management hand book of Kenya (Jaetzold R and Schmidt H., 1982, 1983, volume II parts A, Band C, respectively) provides agro-ecological zone specific data but does not provide enough flexibility for water and nutrient management options. Correct advice on fertilizer and water application must be based on correctly assessed soil-nutrient water functions, to know how much additional yield can be expected per amount of nutrient or available water to a particular crop and location.