Farmer perceptions and knowledge on soil quality indicators and their use in soil fertility monitoring
Abstract
179 words
Assessing soil quality is important so as to learn about the effects
of management practices on soil function, create awareness
and education, and provides a basis for evaluation of alternative
practices. Soil quality often cannot be directly measured,
therefore, scientists use soil quality indicators to evaluate how
well soil functions. Unfortunately, the scientific indicators used
are expensive and farmers do not often understand the language
used. Moreover, scientists have limited knowledge on farmers’
perceptions; yet knowledge of local soil quality, including farmer
knowledge of soil quality indicators, remain to be validated for
reliability.The study will be conducted in rural communities of
Lake Victoria Crescent (LVC), Sub-humid Grass Farmland
(SGF) and South Western Highlands (SWH) purposively selected
to represent major Agro-ecological Zones (AEZ) experiencing
drastic transformations in land use. Primary data will be collected
by conducting a face to face interview with a number of farmers
in the study areas. A cost effective and user friendly tool for
farmers’ timely decisions making in monitoring soil fertility will
be developed and this will help farmers in timely interventions
for soil improvement.
Subjects
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