Full Length Research Paper
ABSTRACT
Land subdivision has reduced land for agricultural production resulting in its intensive cultivation. This has lowered soil fertility which has contributed to reduction in the diversity of African Leafy Vegetables thus restricting the otherwise traditional dietary diversity that was once beneficial to smallholder farmers. As land continues to decline, there needs to be some impetus in place that can retain the diversity of African Leafy Vegetables. This study therefore recognized the need to niche the African Leafy Vegetables to a none-competing, specially constructed raised cropping bed referred to us the Premium Influenced Land Agro-usage structure (PILA). A study to investigate the viability of the PILA structure for production of vegetable crops was undertaken in Vihiga and Jinja. The objective of the study was to evaluate the benefits of the PILA structures. PILA structures were constructed on 20 smallholder farms in Vihiga and Jinja. Vegetable crops Solanum scabrum, Cleome gynandra, Amaranthus hybridus) and exotic vegetables (Daucas carota) were grown on these structures. The same procedure was done on farmers’ conventional plots (Flat beds). Analysis to compare the performance of vegetable crops between the PILA and Flat beds was done using Genstat. The net present value was used to assess the viability of the structure for long term use. Results indicated high significant differences (p≤0.001) in yield and height of vegetables crops grown on PILA and flat beds, (PILA yield (kg/ha) was 42254 versus 27772 for flat beds, PILA height in (cm) was 14.8 versus 10.8 for flat beds). Comparisons in vegetable performance between seasons showed better performance of vegetable crops in the Long Rains than the Short Rains seasons for both sites with significant difference (p=0.001) in yield (kg/ha) for the Long Rain (LR) was 36064 against 33962 for the Short Rain (SR), mean height (cm) for LR was 13 against 12.5 for SR, mean branching (score out of 3) for LR was 2.5 against 2.4 for SR. Also significant differences in vegetable performance were detected between Vihiga and Jinja in height and yield; mean yield (kg/ha) for Vihiga was 34962 and 36064 for Jinja, mean height (cm) for Vihiga was 12.8 and 16.6 for Jinja. The PILAs had a high net present value (KSH191390) compared to flats beds (KSH122087). Vegetable crops on PILA structure performed better than on Flat beds, the PILA structure can be promoted for production of vegetables in areas with small land sizes like the urban and peri-urban. However, there is need to increase the acceptability and adoption of the structure through awareness.
Key words: Raised bed planting, land size, premium land agro-usage structure, african leafy vegetables, dietary diversity.
INTRODUCTION
Land subdivision as a result of population pressure has resulted in reduced land for agricultural production which has had an effect on soil fertility. Traditionally, farmers would restore soil fertility by leaving part of their land uncultivated for many years while new and more fertile land was cultivated for food production. The small land sizes have otherwise destabilized this traditional system of maintaining soil fertility (Amadalo et al., 2003). For instance, the current land holdings on smallholder farms are approximately 0.4 ha which is usually considered to be below the FAO recommendation for subsistence food purposes of 1.4 ha / household (FAO, 2008). Consequently, long-duration natural fallows are no longer possible. The apparent implication of the low soil fertility status and reduced land holding is the decline in the abundance and distribution of phyto-diversity found on smallholder farms (Tittonell et al., 2005).
The declining quantity, distribution and consumption of edible phyto-diversity has led to reduction in the diversity of African leafy vegetables (ALV) grown on the smallholder farms thus restricting the otherwise traditional dietary diversity that was once beneficial to the locals (Vorster et al., 2008; Abukutsa-Onyango, 2008; Mitra and Pathak, 2008). Recent studies have shown that ALV’s such as Curcubita maxima, Amaranth spp., Cleome gynandra and Solanum nigram are mineral micro-nutrient (MiMi) richer than cereal crops such as maize and sorghum (Akundabweni et al., 2010). In fact, almost all the leafy vegetables are good sources of micronutrients including iron and calcium as well as vitamins A, B complex, C and E. For example, Amaranth contains a multiple of these nutrients compared to Brassicca oleracea (IPGRI, 2003; Abukutsa-Onyango, 2007). Some of the African leafy vegetables even contain micro-nutrients content higher than those found in their exotic counterparts (Steyn et al., 2001; Odhav et al., 2007; Nangula et al., 2010). These indicates that the consumption of these leafy vegetables has both nutritional, health and a potential role to play in the mitigation of ‘hidden hunger’ [Hidden hunger is a condition manifested in increased malnourished children and adults because of lack dietary diversity (Hughes, 2008)].
Unfortunately, because of intense cultivation of the small land holdings, these ALVs can easily be marginalized in favour of the major agronomic crops. For instance there is increased production of some staple crops like maize at the expense of vegetable crops resulting in low dietary diversity. Diets poor in leafy vegetables may lead to xerophthalmia (a form of blindness) associated with vitamin A deficiency. It is also recognised that a diet rich in energy but lacking other essential components can lead to a heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and obesity (Frison et al., 2004). These conditions are no longer associated with affluence; they are on the increase among poor people from urban and
rural areas in developing countries. A diverse diet offers nutritional buffers and there should be a key policy reform to combat this unhealthy trend (Johns and Sthapit, 2004). Since no approaches are possible in expanding the land resource, sustainable utilization of the limited land parcels for increased yield and dietary diversity is paramount (Mutiga et al., 2011).
Raised beds have been widely used in the production of commercial crops like rice, wheat and maize than vegetable crops. (Aquino, 1998; Hobbs and Gupta., 2003; Limon-Ortega et al.,2003,2006). Raised beds concentrate a large percentage of crops on a small piece of land thus increasing yield. Raised bed planting has also been shown to offer better weed control, water and fertilizer management, thus leading to the lower inputs of water and fertilizers and higher stress-resistance (Tripathi et al., 2005; Kong et al., 2010). Additionally, raised beds create a micro-climate (Microclimate- In this context, micro-climate refers to creation of an internal warm climate by plants that makes plant mature fast) in the field of the growing crop that reduces crop lodging and disease incidences (Fahong et al., 2004).
Other studies have shown that raised-bed planting reduces seed mortality rates, increases water- and nitrogen (N)-use efficiency, and improves soil quality. In addition, less labour is required for irrigation and fertilizer is better managed relative to conventional flat planting (Limon-Ortega et al., 2000). This therefore represent the social-economic benefits likely to be derived from using raised beds for production of crops. Can raised beds be improvised to enable production of vegetable crops in areas with land as a scarce resource?
This study sought to investigate the viability of the premium influenced land agro-usage structure (PILA), a land use innovation for production of ALV. The PILA is an improvised raised bed to enable production of vegetable crop.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
RESULTS
DISCUSSION
CONCLUSION
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
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APPENDIX
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