By Mary Mwendwa
A simple technology of liquid organic manure has seen residents of Lenkobei water stressed region of Kajiado county enrich the soil health fertility without struggles.
Easily made from locally available organic matter, cowdung, water and other organic materials are collected in a container, stirred and left for one week to be ready for use.
Naacha Kaya a mother of four in her early thirties is in charge of the manure making process which is used in a horticulture farm own by Emaiyanata Horticulture farm, where is a member manning the nursery bed. “This type of tea fertilizer is very efficient here and above all is easily available here at our homesteads.I use it for this nursery where I have planted kales, onions, tomatoes and other trees in preparation for planting.I just apply around the Rooting system when seedlings are still in the nursery bed and when we transfer them to the farm, we have witnessed healthy growth of the crops.”.She says.
The liquid fertilizer technology that Naacha praises has seen her group, Emaiyanata , grow healthy horticultural crops which have no chemical components that could originate from the fertilizers which have chemical components. It has no cost implications and cow dung is easily available as they are livestock keepers.
The group was trained by an agronomist on how to make the liquid fertilizer which has proved the best to use in their land.This has also been replicated in their income levels which have improved since they started using the fertilizer on their crops.Emaiyanata horticulture group focus on practicing climate smart agriculturetechnologies.This is aimed at reducing emissions at farm level, conserving natural resources like soil and water while increasing nutritious food production at household level and at the same time increase family incomes.
Bainito Atonya,Ward Agricultural Extension officer , Magadi ward;”Organic manure is the best for farmers in this hardship regions of pastoralists.Dung is easily available and other organic materials are collected at no cost.We also advocate for pesticides that don’t have high chemical components to be used in farms.Asyou know most people here are illiterate and may at times ignore the procedures for using pesticides .This can be very harmful to the consumers of the food crops.”He warns.`
Arthur Ngatia, Sub -County fisheries Officer, Kajiado East Sub-County,recommends fish farming among pastoralist communities as with fish ponds the water used has fish waste which contains nitrogen from fish droppings essential for soil health.”This waste water from ponds can be used in irrigating the farms and at the same time transfer nutrients to the soil, this is double benefits to the farmer.”He says.
Global awareness for the hazards of long-term chemical fertilizer use is growing. Because of this, more and more farmers all over the world are shifting to organic fertilizers. The agricultural market has also recognized this trend, and has recently employed a full-blown campaign to promote organic and natural fertilizers. Among the benefits of using organic fertilizers are non-toxic food, lower cost, better soil fertility, and of course, a safer environment.
