The role of rural communities in Soil Conservation: A case study of Nyamira District, Kenya.
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Date
2007-06
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Kampala International University, College of Economics and Management Sciences .
Abstract
Accelerated soil erosion is one of the major constraints to agriculture. The
objectives of this study were to find out the; the human activities causing
soil degradation in the study area, to find out the conservation measures
used by the communities and the level of awareness on soil conservation.
Methods used included interviews, observation and photography as well as
questionnaires.
These associated activities have resulted in over grazing, erosion and even
loss of soil fertility.
The activities were found out to be cattle keeping, cultivation on slopes
and stone quarrying which have led to overgrazing and soil erosion.
Conservation measures by the community were found out to be strip
farming, fallowing, mixed cropping, terracing, addition of manure and
planting trees.
Conclusions made were soil conservation is used but can’t apply because
crop residues are regarded as feed for livestock while mulching is
laborious. On the other hand low yields in the area are because of the
limited amount of moisture available. There is need to have new
techniques same as traditional practices which are easy to understand,
apply and have low inputs.
Recommendations were that farmers should be encouraged to divert water
from external catchments into their farms, cultivate on places with inflow
from external catchments especially in flat. lands. Considerable use of
structures as exposed to vegetation should be applied as well as, bare
fallows.
Description
A research report Submitted to the Faculty of Social Sciences in
Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for Award of the Degree
of Bachelor of Science in Environmental Management of Kampala
International University.
Keywords
Soil Conservation, Rural Communities, Role, Nyamira District, Kenya