Mechanized Agriculture And Soil Degradation: A Case Study Of Moiben Division, Uasin Gishu District, Kenya.

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 lowersthe 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, 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.