In-situ soil moisture conservation: utilisation and management of rainwater for crop production

Peter Kathuli and J.K. Itabari

International Journal of Agricultural Resources, Governance and Ecology, 2014, vol. 10, issue 3, 295-310

Abstract: The salient results of in-situ soil water conservation technologies that have been found suitable for increasing soil moisture in the arid and semi-arid lands of eastern Kenya are reviewed. The results showed that Zai pits, tumbukiza and deep tillage when used together with soil fertility improvement can increase crop yields by 4-10 times in comparison to conventionally cultivated fields. Use of tied-ridging with soil fertility improvement increases crop yields by 100-300%. Sub-soiling and ripping increases crop yields by 50-100% when used with soil fertility improvement. Micro-catchment technology at 1:1 and 2:1 catchment to cultivated land ratio increase crop yields, but is not practised due to land limitation. Use of fertilisers and or manures with in-situ soil moisture conservation leads to improved water use efficiency by crops planted in the semi-arid areas. It was concluded that, in-situ rainwater conservation technologies should be part of the farming systems in the semi-arid lands.

Keywords: rain water harvesting; soil fertility improvement; crop yields; semi-arid regions; Kenya; moisture conservation; rainwater management; water conservation; water use efficiency; farming systems; agriculture. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014
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