In-situ soil moisture conservation: utilisation and management of rainwater for crop production

The salient results of in-situ soil water conservation technologies that have been found suitable for increasing soil moisture in the arid and semi-arid lands of eastern Kenya are reviewed. The results showed that Zai pits, tumbukiza and deep tillage when used together with soil fertility improvement can increase crop yields by 4-10 times in comparison to conventionally cultivated fields. Use of tied-ridging with soil fertility improvement increases crop yields by 100-300%. Sub-soiling and ripping increases crop yields by 50-100% when used with soil fertility improvement. Micro-catchment technology at 1:1 and 2:1 catchment to cultivated land ratio increase crop yields, but is not practised due to land limitation. Use of fertilisers and or manures with in-situ soil moisture conservation leads to improved water use efficiency by crops planted in the semi-arid areas. It was concluded that, in-situ rainwater conservation technologies should be part of the farming systems in the semi-arid lands.