Managing the Natural resources for Sustainable Horticulture in Lake Victoria basin, Kenya
Evans Mutuma1 and Alice Nakhumicha1: 1 Kenya Agricultural Research Institute
(KARI).Contact Author: mutumaeva@yahoo.com. P.O Box 220-01000 Thika, Kenya.
ABSTRACT
Natural resources management (NRM) is the way in which resources like soil, water and vegetation are managed. It is fundamental to sustainable agricultural production. It is also sound business practice to ensure that resources we depend on for production are used efficiently and are in optimal condition. Currently the government policy strategy to commercialize agriculture through production of high value horticultural crops requires that future operations are free from potentially adverse environmental consequences. The opportunities for high value horticulture in the Lake Victoria basin include; good climate, fertile soils, availability of water resources, adequate land, availability of road network and the current kisumu international airport. Considering the fragile ecosystem in Lake Victoria basin, efficient management of natural resources to avert environmental degradation as a result of activities in horticultural production value chain is paramount. A survey was conducted in august 2010 by a team of researchers from KARI-Thika in Miwani area to assess the level of knowledge regarding best management practices with regard to natural resources in horticultural fields. Interviews, direct observations, soil sampling and water sampling were the main data collection methods. Some of the observations made during the survey included the problem of water logging, poor and inefficient irrigation systems and poor drainage systems that resulted in poor growth of crops and low productivity. This was attributed to inadequate knowledge among farmers to manage natural resources. There is need to train farmers on ‘Best Management Practices’ (BMPs) in horticultural production. This could be through an organized natural resources management strategy that addresses global, regional, national and local level concerns.
Key words: Best Management Practices(BMP); Environmental degradation; Fragile ecosystem ;Natural resources management; Productivity; Sustainability.