The impact of indigenous soil and water conservation practices on soil productivity: Examples from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda

Farmers in many parts of Africa use indigenous soil and water conserving (I SWC) practices as an integral part of their farming systems. Farmers have d eveloped such methods which have maintained productivity and contributed to long-term sustainability, while introduced measures have often been reject ed or simply failed to achieve their technical objectves, This paper examines the strengths and weaknesses of some ISWC practices in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. An evaluation has been carried out based on far mers' evaluation criteria as well as criteria identified by researchers, Fa rmers' criteria are often based on the quality of their natural resources ( farmers are more likely to conserve those soils that will give the highest return on the:ir investment), the resource level of the household (particul arly income levels and labour availability), cropping intensity as well as cultural traditions related to age, education and gender. Of great importan ce, however, is the need to maintain or increase soil productivity. Methods that conserve moisture, reduce soil erosion, maintain soil fertility and i ncrease productivity, which are socially acceptable and economically viable , are those which farmers favour. ISWC practices often have these qualities but farmers have not always been able to adjust the techniques to rapid ch anges in farming systems and increasing intensity of land use. Soil productivity and economic modelling indicate that although yields decl ines are lower when traditional technologies are used, long-term productivi ty remains a problem. There is an urgent need to work closely with farmers to improve and develop traditional SWC techniques, Copyright (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.