All Issue

2024 Vol.6, Issue 4 Preview Page

Research Article

Mechanization in conservation agriculture and options for sustainable intensification by smallholder farmers in Kenya: A review
Nzuki Lewis12
,
Tusan Park345*
1Department of Agriculture, Irrigation, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperatives Development, Makueni County Government, Makueni, Republic of Kenya
2Department of Food Security and Agricultural Development, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
3Department of Smart Bio-Industrial Mechanical Engineering, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
4Smart Agriculture Innovation Center, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
5Department of Applied Biosciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
*Corresponding Author
31 December 2024. pp. 262-277
PDF XML Citation
Abstract

This paper examines the uptake of Conservation Agriculture (CA) in semi-arid areas of Kenya, underscoring the disparities in adoption rates between large-scale farms and smallholder agricultural operations. It stresses the significance of fostering cooperation among different stakeholders, including extension services, researchers, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and policymakers, to facilitate the incorporation of mechanization in semi-arid regions. This collaborative endeavor is aimed at equipping farmers with the requisite knowledge, resources and tools to effectively embrace and put into practice CA methods, ultimately leading to increased agricultural productivity and improved food security in challenging environments.

Keywords
Conservation agriculture
Smallholder farmers
Mechanization
Sustainability
Kenya
References
1

Bett, C., Wawire, N., Kavoi, J., Maingi, S., Agola, W. 2021. Mechanization levels and options for mango value chain in Makueni county, Kenya. International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications 11(12): 407-418. https://doi.org/10.29322/ijsrp.11.12.2021.p12058

10.29322/IJSRP.11.12.2021.p12058
2

CBK. 2023. Agriculture Sector Survey January 2023. Central Bank of Kenya.

3

Gicheru, P.T., Gachene, C.K.K., Mbuvi, J.P. 2005. Effects of soil management practices and tillage systems on soil moisture conservation and maize yield on a sandy loam in semiarid Kenya. Journal of Sustainable Agriculture 27: 77-92.

10.1300/J064v27n03_06
4

Kalele, D.N., Ogara, W.O., Oludhe, C., Onono, J.O. 2021. Climate change impacts and relevance of smallholder farmers' response in arid and semi-arid lands in Kenya. Scientific African, 12: e00814. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sciaf.2021.e00814

10.1016/j.sciaf.2021.e00814
5

Kaumbutho, P., Kienzle, J. 2007. Conservation agriculture as practiced in Kenya: Two case studies. African Conservation Tillage Network.

6

Kehinde, M.O., Shittu, A.M., Ogunnaike, M.G., Oyawole, F.P., Fapojuwo, O.E. 2022. Land tenure and property rights, and the impacts on adoption of climate-smart practices among smallholder farmers in selected agro-ecologies in Nigeria. Bio-Based and Applied Economics 11(1): 75-87. https://doi.org/10.36253/bae-9992

10.36253/bae-9992
7

Mazvimavi, K., Twomlow, S. 2009. Socioeconomic and institutional factors influencing adoption of conservation farming by vulnerable households in Zimbabwe. Agricultural Systems 101(1-2): 20-29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2009.02.002

10.1016/j.agsy.2009.02.002
8

Mrema, G.C., Kienzle, J., Mpagalile, J. 2018. Current status and future prospects of agricultural mechanization in Sub-Saharan Africa [SSA]. Agricultural Mechanization in Asia, Africa & Latin America 49(2): 13-30.

9

Muchiri, G. 2012. Effect of tillage equipment on maize production. A model for semiarid small holder agriculture. Ph.D. dissertation, Univ. Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya.

10

Mutune, J., Mburu, J., Nyikal, R., Kironchi, G. 2011. Determinants of adoption of conservation tillage practices in maize-cowpea cropping systems: The case of Makueni District, Kenya. Journal of Soil Science and Environmental Management 2(11): 354-361.

11

Mwenzwa, M.E. 2011. Dry land farming and food security in Kenya: Challenges and research priorities. Elixir Social Science 41: 5832-5836.

12

Ockweul, A.P., Parton, K.A., Nguluu, S., Muhammad, L. 1990. Farming systems of the semiarid tropics of eastern Kenya and adoption of innovations by smallholder farmers: A case-study of 16 farms. 1990 Conference of Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society 145347.

13

Pingali, P. 2007. Agricultural mechanization: Adoption patterns and economic impact. In Handbook of Agricultural Economics 3: 2779-2805. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1574-0072(06)03054-4

10.1016/S1574-0072(06)03054-4
14

Rockström, J., Barron, J., Fox, P. 2002. Rainwater management for increased productivity among small-holder farmers in drought prone environments. Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Parts A/B/C 27:949-959. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1474-7065(02)00098-0

10.1016/S1474-7065(02)00098-0
15

Wawire, N.W., Bett, C., Ruttoh, R.C., Wambua, J., Omari, F.G., Kisilu, R., Kavoi, J., Omari, J., Wanyonyi, N.W., Ketiem, P. 2016. The status of agricultural mechanization in Kenya. Kenya Agricultural & Livestock Research Organization.

16

Winowiecki, L.A., Vågen, T.-G., Kinnaird, M.F., O'Brien, T.G. 2018. Application of systematic monitoring and mapping techniques: Assessing land restoration potential in semi-arid lands of Kenya. Geoderma 327: 107-118. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2018.04.017

10.1016/j.geoderma.2018.04.017
Information
  • Publisher :Korean Society of Precision Agriculture
  • Publisher(Ko) :한국정밀농업학회
  • Journal Title :Precision Agriculture Science and Technology
  • Journal Title(Ko) :정밀농업과학기술
  • Volume : 6
  • No :4
  • Pages :262-277
  • Received Date : 2024-10-14
  • Accepted Date : 2024-12-16
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.22765/pastj.20240019
Journal Informaiton Precision Agriculture Science and Technology Precision Agriculture Science and Technology
Online Submission & Review System
  • NRF
  • KOFST
  • KISTI Current Status
  • KISTI Cited-by
  • KCI 문헌 유사도 검사
  • orcid
  • open access
  • ccl
Journal Informaiton Journal Informaiton - close