Effect of complying with food safety standards on soil fertility in smallholder french bean farms in Kenya
Paper Details
Effect of complying with food safety standards on soil fertility in smallholder french bean farms in Kenya
Abstract
Compliance with Food Safety Standards (FSS) for production of export vegetables involves the application of manure, agro-chemicals and other inputs which influence soil fertility. A study was conducted in Kirinyaga County, Central Kenya to investigate the effect of compliance with FSS for production of French beans on soil fertility in smallholder farms. The study was done in three different agro-ecological zones; upper (Gichugu), middle (Ndia) and lower (Mwea) zones. A total of 230 farmers were selected of which 76 were compliant, 87 non-compliant and 67 non-French bean growers. Surface soil (0-30cm) was sampled from their farms to assess soil quality; samples were subjected to analysis of selected chemical properties in the laboratory. Chemical analysis results show that soil pH for Gichugu and Ndia is strongly acid (5.35-5.51), while for Mwea it is medium acid (5.83-5.97), but not significantly different among compliance levels. In all three zones and compliance levels, carbon (1.49-1.86%) and total nitrogen (0.16-0.18%) contents were not significantly different. However, Mwea had relatively higher levels of carbon content (1.86%, 1.72% and 1.79% for compliant, non-compliant and non-grower farmers respectively). Phosphorus and potassium contents were medium to high, but not significantly different among zones and compliance levels. Calcium content in the soil was medium whereas magnesium content was high in all the zones and compliance levels. Compliant farms of French beans had higher levels of copper, iron, and manganese in the soil. Therefore, the results show that compliance with FSS had no significant effect on soil fertility within the current farming and management systems. Farmers should increase levels of organic and inorganic fertilizer depending on the levels of nutrients in the soil and intensity of cropping, to increase the amounts of nitrogen and carbon in the soil and therefore, the soil quality.
Cheruiyot EK, Mumera LM, Nakhone LN, Mwonga SM. 2001. Rotational effects of grain legumes on maize performance in the Rift Valley highlands of Kenya. African Crop Science Journal 9, 667–676.
Doran JW, Sarrantonio M, Liebig MA. 1996. Soil health and sustainability. In: D.L. Sparks, (Ed.), Advances in Agronomy 56. Academic Press, San Diego, CA, USA, p 1-54.
Doran JW, Zeiss MR. 2000. Soil health and sustainability; managing the biotic component of soil quality. Applied Soil Ecology 15, 2-11.
Edmeades DC. 2003. The long-term effects of manures and fertilizers on soil productivity and quality: a review. Nutrient Cycling and Agroecosystems 66, 165-180.
Gachene CKK, Kimaru G. 2003. Soil Fertility and Land Productivity – A guide for extension workers in the eastern Africa region. Technical Handbook No.30. Regional Land Management Unit (RELMA)/ Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). ISBN: 9966-896-66-X.
Global GAP. 2008. Introduction to Global GAP. January version. Available from: (accessed in December 2008). www.eurep.org
Horticultural Crops Development Authority 2007. Horticulture Data 2005-2007 Validation Report, HCDA, Nairobi.
Hussain I, Olson KR, Wander MM, Kaarlen DL. 1999. Adaptation of soil quality indices and application to three tillage systems in southern Illinois. Soil & Tillage Research 50, 3-4.
Jaetzold R, Schmidt H, Hornetz B, Shisanya C. 2006. Farm Management Handbook Vol. II. Natural Conditions and Farm Management Information, 2nd edition (Part B Central Kenya Subpart B2 Central province), Ministry of Agriculture and GTZ, Eschborn, Germany.
Jensen MF. 2004. Developing new exports from developing countries: new opportunities and new constraints. Ph.D. dissertation. Copenhagen: The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University.
Kimigo J. 2008. Effects of land use change on soil qualities in Sasumua catchment. MSc. thesis, University of Nairobi, Kenya.
Makokha S, Kimani S, Mwangi W, Verkuijl H, Musembi F. 2001. Determinants of Fertilizer and Manure use in Maize Production in Kiambu District, Kenya. Mexico, D.F: D.F.: International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT) and Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI).
Mugwe J, Mugendi D, Kungu J, Onguso-Oeba V. 2002. Household and Farm Characteristics Influencing uptake of Soil Fertility Management Technologies by Farmers in Meru South District, Kenya.
Okalebo JR, Gathua KW, Woomer P. 2002. Laboratory Methods of Soil and Plant Analysis: A Working Manual, Second Edition. Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility, Nairobi Kenya.
Onduru DD, Du Preez CC, De Jager A, Muya EM. 2008. Soil Quality and Agricultural Sustainability of Dry land Tropical Farming Systems: A case study in Mbeere district, Eastern Kenya. Journal of Crop Improvement 2(4), The Haworth Press.
Schuler R. 2004. Commercial horticulture North-west of Mt. Kenya. A sector analysis with emphasis on implications on river water resources of the Upper Ewaso Ng’ito Basin. Master thesis submitted to the Faculty of Natural Sciences of the University of Berne.
Sharma KL, Mandal UK, Srinivas K, Vittal KPR, Mandal B, J Kusuma Grace, Ramesh V. 2004. Long-term soil management effects on crop yields and soil quality in a dryland Alfisol. Soil & Tillage Research 83, 246–259.
United States Department of Agriculture. 2001. Guidelines for Soil Quality Assessment in Conservation Planning. Natural Resources Conservation Service, Soil Quality Institute.
Woomer PL, Muchena FN. 1996. Recognizing and overcoming soil constraints to crop production in tropical Africa. African Journal of Crop Science 4, 503-518.
Mnyambo Clarice, Kironchi Geoffrey, Mbuvi Joseph, Mburu John, Wahome Samuel (2018), Effect of complying with food safety standards on soil fertility in smallholder french bean farms in Kenya; IJAAR, V13, N5, November, P1-8
https://innspub.net/effect-of-complying-with-food-safety-standards-on-soil-fertility-in-smallholder-french-bean-farms-in-kenya/
Copyright © 2018
By Authors and International
Network for Natural Sciences
(INNSPUB) https://innspub.net
This article is published under the terms of the
Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0