By Bob Aston
“I decided to consult the ministry of
Agriculture to see how the issue of low yield can be resolved. I will follow
all the requirements that are expected of me. I hope that I will be able to get
between 30-40 bags this time around,” said Gathu.
Soil analysis has been used as an aid
to assessing soil fertility and plant nutrient requirements and management for
many years now. The Ministry of Agriculture in Laikipia County is on the fore
front urging farmers to have their soils analyzed. Since January 2014 the
Ministry officials have been visiting farmers who have requested to have soil
in their farms analyzed.
“The goal
of soil testing is to provide an accurate assessment of the soil’s fertility
status that can be used to make fertilizer recommendations,” said Samwel Kige, Field Officer Ministry
of Agriculture, Sipili division.
Agriculture ministry official collecting soil samples |
Kige said that proper soil test will
help ensure the application of enough fertilizer to meet the requirements of
the crop while taking advantage of the nutrients already present in the soil.
He said that each farm has different fertilizer requirements.
Achieving and maintaining appropriate levels of soil fertility, especially plant nutrient availability, is of paramount importance if agricultural land is to remain capable of sustaining crop production at an acceptable level.
Achieving and maintaining appropriate levels of soil fertility, especially plant nutrient availability, is of paramount importance if agricultural land is to remain capable of sustaining crop production at an acceptable level.
Soil analysis will be able to help a
farmer to know the current
pH level of the soil, fertility levels of the principal nutrients, type and
quantity of lime your soil needs, nutrients need to be added to your soil as
fertilizer and amount of fertilizer the crop and soil needs.
“Soil analysis should not be done
when the farmer has already ploughed the land. A sample should also not be
taken near the farm boundary as it has a lot of growing matter,” said Kige.
Kige said that farmers should have
their soil tested regularly and that they should ensure a period of not more
than three (3) years passes before they test their soil.
Peter Gathu, a maize farmer from
Kiriko Village said that he always harvested very few bags any time he planted
maize or beans.
“Some farmers have been getting over
50 bags in a one acre piece of land but with me I have been getting less than
14 bags every time I harvest maize,” said Gathu.
The continuous low yield made Peter
start pondering on what to do about his farm. A close friend informed him that
the Ministry of Agriculture normally conducts soil analysis.
Kige mixing the collected soil samples |
In a one acre piece of land soil
sample from four different parts of the farm plus at the centre are normally
collected and then mixed properly and a sample later sent to the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) Nakuru.
The Ministry of Agriculture does not
charge for collecting the soil sample but the farmers will have to pay Ksh 1000
to KARI.
On Tuesday, President Uhuru Kenyatta
launched the soil testing results at Egerton University, Njoro. Results from soil testing in 164
sub-counties showed that most soils are deprived of necessary nutrients needed
in crop production.
The study also found that the most
limiting nutrients in the production of maize in all the districts were those
required in large amounts namely nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
Gathu is now waiting for the soil
analysis results to be sent to him within 1-2 weeks so that he can start
preparing his farm.
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