Farmers in prevention of soil erosion initiative, to protect loss of nutrients

Farmers in landslide prone areas in Mt Kenya region have stepped up initiatives to control soil erosion by planting trees, sweet potatoes and practicing water harvesting  technologies.

In Igamba village in Gatundu North, Kiambu, Rodi Kenya, an NGO has is working with the communities, focused in preventive soil erosion through effective harvesting of rain water and floods.

David Mburu said he has dug trenches in his two acres parcels of land for the purpose of slowing the speed of floods.

Photo/A farmer pracising agroecology Mr David Mburu and Rodi Kenya official  Mr Moses Mbiri  looking at pineapple growing in Igamba village, Gatundu North designed to help in stopping soil erosion.

Mburu learnt soil conservation and organic farming when he served a three year jail term at Nairobi West Prisons, stating controlling soil erosion through digging of terraces has proved effective over the years.

Rodi Kenya through  the partnership with Kenya Prisons Service helped educate the convicts of the best farming practices that led to be a champion in agro forestry and organic farming, pesticides among others.

The farmer said he is ready for the  Elnino rains, as he dug two water pans with a capacity to hold 50,000 cubic metres as an invention to deal with the situation. 

Photo/A fish pond in the farm of David Mburu in Igamba village that helps in water harvesting.

“I am in charge of farmers groups in the villages of  Karega, Kagunyi and Kahedime ini  dubbed (3 KS) with more than 80 farmers engaged in the agro ecology,” said Mburu.

Another farmer Mr Gilbert Mucheru a resident of Kianganga village in Mang’u is growing highland arrow roots, bananas, maize which he applies to organic ferterliser.

Photo/ Banana plants grown using locally produced fertiliser in Kiangnga village, in Gatundu North.

“We have been trained on making friendly fertilizers and many of the people visiting my place placing orders are proof of increased demand by the locals,” said Mucheru.

Dairy goat farmers in Mukurwe village, Annie Wairimu and Eunice Ndung’u said they have benefitted from access to manure for use in their farms as a cushion from using the chemical inputs.

Photo/ A farmer Gilbert Muchere preparing bokashi fertiliser.

They said goat milk is best for the growing children and the recovering patients.

“The dairy goat rearing project has empowered the community as the milk is in high demand,” said Ndung’u

Photo/ Bokashi fertiliser ready for sale.

Moses Mbiri and Monica Njoroge field officers with Rodi Kenya say the concept has benefitted communities for better returns.

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