Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation has encouraged Kenyan farmers with small farms to consider using a new technology to increase their yields.
In a statement that was published on Friday, KALRO explained that moist bed technology is best suited for small-scale farmers who would not have expensive farmlands.
According to KALRO, moist bed technology uses raised beds to conserve water and improve crop yields.
“Are you a small-scale vegetable farmer with constraints of planting space looking for ways of increasing vegetable production? moist bed technology is your solution.
A photo collage of Sukuma Wiki Plantation (Left) and Daniel Waithaka (Right), a God’s Farming Way agriculturalist.
Photo
Daniel Waithaka
“It is a profound water-saving technology that increases vegetable production,” Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation advised.
Moist beds are made by digging a trench and filling it with organic matter, such as compost, manure, and straw. The organic matter helps to retain moisture in the soil, so that crops can be grown with less irrigation.
The technology can be used to grow a variety of crops, including vegetables, fruits, and flowers. It is especially well-suited for growing crops in arid or semi-arid regions, where water resources are limited.
Moist bed technology has a number of benefits including the reduction of water that is used in farming activities. It is estimated that moist beds can help to reduce water use by up to 50 per cent.
“This is because the organic matter in the soil helps to retain moisture so that crops do not need to be watered as often,” the Agriculturalists Magazine explained.
The technology has also been proven to improve crop yields by providing crops with a consistent supply of water and nutrients. This is because the organic matter in the soil breaks down over time, releasing nutrients that are beneficial for plant growth.
Moist bed technology also helps reduce soil erosion by protecting the soil from wind and rain. This is because the organic matter in the soil helps to bind the soil particles together.
Consequently, moist beds are known to improve soil health by increasing the organic matter content of the soil. Scientists noted that organic matter does help to improve the soil’s structure, drainage, and fertility.
A group of small scale farming learning about Moist Bed Technology.
Photo
KALRO Kenya
How to Create Moist Bed:
1. Choose a location for the bed that receives full sun or partial shade.
2. Dig a trench that is 1-2 feet deep and 2-3 feet wide.
3. Fill the trench with organic matter, such as compost, manure, and straw.
4. Water the bed thoroughly.
5. Plant your crops in the moist bed.
6. Once the crops are planted, water the bed regularly to keep the soil moist. You should also mulch the bed with organic matter to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.
