Integrating indigenous soil and land classification systems in the identification of soil management constraints in the tropics: a Kenyan case study

摘要

A field study was conducted in Kenya to capture the farmers? indigenous soil and land classification systems towards identification of soil management constraints and opportunities. The study was conducted through farmer group meetings (based on gender) and also through transects walk. The results of the study indicated that farmers name soils on the basis of color, texture and coarseness or a combination of any two criteria. Further, they describe the soils on the basis of a number of characteristics namely stickiness, hardness, water retention capacity, drainage, erodibility, cracking, fertility and the best time to plough. The result of the gender perspective on soil classification showed that the females recognized more soil types than men as they were involved in more farm activities, especially planting, weeding, terrace making and even to some extent, ploughing. The study also showed that farmers possess a lot of practical knowledge on tillage, management, protection and productivity of the soil. This is based on a long experience with local soil types, their uses and management spanning several generations. Capturing such indigenous knowledge is useful to the scientists as a quick means of gathering data on land management for more responsive research and development activities. Further, there is a sense of belonging among farmers during technology development and transfer, thus leading to enhanced adoption by farmers.