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Water Users Association and Irrigation Management - Institute for ...

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degree of weed infestation, the appearance of rocky outcrops, <strong>and</strong> crops wilting early in the<br />

growing cycle. Farmers also use another local system of classifying soil types according tll<br />

their color, texture, <strong>and</strong> certain physical characteristics hased on their fertilIty <strong>and</strong> p()t~'nllal<br />

productivity. The various traditional strategies employed hy farmers to IInpro\e "'II<br />

productivity are fallowing, crop rotation. application of crop residues. manunng <strong>and</strong><br />

various tillage practices. The study mentions that in order to desih'll more appropnate<br />

research <strong>and</strong> development programs geared to improVing integrated soli <strong>and</strong> water<br />

management practices, researchers need to underst<strong>and</strong> fanners' knowledge <strong>and</strong> perceptIOns<br />

of soil fertility <strong>and</strong> the programs should be built around htnners' interests <strong>and</strong> local systems<br />

of knowledge. Although the study has discussed in detail. farmers' perceptions of SOIl<br />

fertility <strong>and</strong> management strategies. it has not addressed adequately the issues related to the<br />

relationship between soil fertility <strong>and</strong> irrigation management.<br />

A study by Mango (1999) analyzed farmers' perceptions of soil fertility decline <strong>and</strong> the soil<br />

improvement techniques practiced in three villages of Siaya District, Western Kenya.<br />

Fanners based their classification of soil on the surface layer <strong>and</strong> they codified a soil hy<br />

color, texture <strong>and</strong> heaviness of working. The criteria they use <strong>for</strong> judging soil fertilIty<br />

decline include reduced crop yields, change in soil color, compacting of the soil. <strong>and</strong> the<br />

presence of certain weed species. To improve soil fertility, farmers practiced organic matter<br />

recycling, crop rotation, <strong>and</strong> crop associations. In addition, soil <strong>and</strong> water consenation such<br />

as construction of terraces, grass strips <strong>and</strong> contour ploughing are followed. It was noted<br />

that good soil fertility management depends on access to labor, knowledge <strong>and</strong> experience.<br />

capital <strong>and</strong> off-farm remittances, livestock <strong>and</strong> in<strong>for</strong>mation. The study cautions that <strong>for</strong>Cing<br />

technologies on farmers, which are developed without their involvement, although they<br />

seem technically appropriate. is likely to result in failure as farmers often reject these when<br />

the external pressure is removed.<br />

These are a few systematic studies of how farmers deal with salinity, alkalimty,<br />

waterlogging <strong>and</strong> fertility problems in irrigated agriculture. While many studies have heen<br />

carried out focusing on farmers' knowledge about irrigation <strong>and</strong> soil. on their adoption of<br />

strategies <strong>and</strong> knowledge to alleviate waterlogging <strong>and</strong> salimty. only a few studies have

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