Mechanized agriculture and soil degradation:
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Date
2011-09
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Publisher
Kampala International University, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences
Abstract
Agricultural mechanization embraces the use of tools, implements, and machines for a wide range of farm operations from land preparation to planting, harvesting, omfarm processing, storage, and marketing of products while soil degradation is defined as the process which lowers the current and/or the potential capability of soil. This study was therefore to assess the degree of mechanized agriculture and its role in soil degradation in Moiben division in Uasin Gishu district, Rift Valley Kenya. The study was conducted among large mechanized scheme farmers and small holder farmers where the general objective was establishing the effects of mechanized agriculture on soil and specific objectives were to identify the agricultural mechanization technologies and equipment, to determine the activities involved in mechanized agriculture and to find out its effects on soil.
A descriptive study design in which both qualitative and quantitative methods were adopted. A total of 45 farmers were interviewed using interview guides, informal discussions based on questionnaires. Experimental research was also carried out to determine the effects of mechanized agriculture on soil. This was done by focusing on soil fertility whereby soil sampling was done and parameters such as determination of soil pH, measuring of soil organisms, measuring physical degradation and crop demonstrations followed. Data was analyzed, coded and presented using pie charts.
The study established that mechanized agriculture had an effect on the soil degradation and contributed to the downward decline of soil productivity through soil erosion, compaction, and loss of organic matter and change of soil pH. I concluded that there was urgent need to protect the soils from degradation and from this I recommended use of organic farming, indigenous soil and water conservation, soil management and better systems and improvement on what is being practiced.
Description
A Dissertation Submitted to the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Sciences in Partial Fulfillment of the Award of Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Management of Kampala International University
Keywords
Mechanized agriculture, Soil degradation, Moiben division Uasin Gishu district, Kenya