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Bedlam 200SL Pesticide 1L
KSh 6,000.00Original price was: KSh 6,000.00.KSh 5,750.00Current price is: KSh 5,750.00. -
PROFILE 440 G/L WP KSh 890.00 – KSh 3,275.00
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PRESIDENT GOLD 20 DP KSh 745.00 – KSh 26,800.00
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PENTAGON 5% EC KSh 1,060.00 – KSh 2,000.00
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OCCASION STAR 200SC KSh 930.00 – KSh 14,510.00
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Mchwatox 350SC
KSh 650.00Original price was: KSh 650.00.KSh 550.00Current price is: KSh 550.00. -
LEXUS 247 SC KSh 660.00 – KSh 6,640.00
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INDOKING 300 SC KSh 1,580.00 – KSh 24,870.00
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ESCORT 1.9% EC KSh 630.00 – KSh 5,270.00
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Duduthrin
KSh 3,200.00Original price was: KSh 3,200.00.KSh 2,720.00Current price is: KSh 2,720.00.
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Water harvesting and use of technologies that ensure there is plenty of moisture in the soil for crops to grow is part of climate-smart farming, which aims at increasing agricultural productivity and incomes.
There are different methods one can use to harvest water and ensure the soil retains plenty of moisture, especially in arid and semi-arid areas. These are:
Zai (planting) pits:
They are shallow pits used for harvesting water and conservation of moisture in the soil. Once the pits have been dug, one puts in organic matter like manure or compost to increase microbial activities and water infiltration of the soil when it rains.
The pits are good for planting cereals like maize, sorghum, millet and fodder crops in dry areas. Zai pits help improve water and nutrient use, reduce surface run-off and nutrient depletion.
Retention ditches
They are 50cm wide and 50cm deep and are dug along a contour for use in growing bananas. If larger pits are dug, they can be used for growing trees. The ditches help in trapping rainwater.
Catch pits
They are 1m by 2m by 0.25m and are dug in sloppy areas so that water can collect in the pits during the rainy season. The pits help in conserving water, reducing run-off and preventing soil erosion.
Dams
They are barriers constructed across a river to collect and hold large volumes of water. The stored water can then be used for irrigation during the dry season.
Weirs
They are barriers constructed across a river to raise the water level and allow it to flow over it. Water from the weir can then be pumped to farms for irrigation purposes.
Water can also be harvested from rooftops and directed into a storage tank or reservoir.
Besides use of technologies like zai, mulching also helps in soil water retention. It has many advantages in crop production. These are:
• It reduces spread of diseases through splashing of pathogens from soil.
• It conserves moisture thus reducing irrigation requirement.
• It reduces evapotranspiration and erosion.
• It increases microbial activity in the soil.
• It increases soil nutrient status
• It improves soil organic matter hence the soil structure.
However, organic mulch is a risk, because it may harbour snails, slugs and rodents and may trap light rain showers, thus prevent them from reaching the crops.
Synthetic or plastic mulches are the alternative and come in different colours such as clear, yellow and black. Black plastic mulch works well in pineapple growing and the results have been good.
Growing of cover crops is another practice that helps conserve soil moisture. The crops include sweet potatoes and pumpkins, which ensure the soil is covered hence reduce moisture loss by evaporation and soil erosion.
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Written by seedfarm
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Product List
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Jackfruit Seedlings
KSh 850.00Original price was: KSh 850.00.KSh 500.00Current price is: KSh 500.00. -
Agronomy Services KSh 5,000.00
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Noni Fruit Seedlings
KSh 3,500.00Original price was: KSh 3,500.00.KSh 2,800.00Current price is: KSh 2,800.00. -
Zambarau Seedlings
KSh 350.00Original price was: KSh 350.00.KSh 200.00Current price is: KSh 200.00. -
Amistar fungicide
KSh 5,000.00Original price was: KSh 5,000.00.KSh 4,650.00Current price is: KSh 4,650.00. -
Tissue Culture Banana Seedlings KSh 250.00 – KSh 500.00
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INDOKING 300 SC KSh 1,580.00 – KSh 24,870.00
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Golden Peach Seedlings
KSh 1,200.00Original price was: KSh 1,200.00.KSh 800.00Current price is: KSh 800.00. -
Ridomil Gold 250g
KSh 1,800.00Original price was: KSh 1,800.00.KSh 1,460.00Current price is: KSh 1,460.00. -
Breadfruit Seedlings
KSh 3,000.00Original price was: KSh 3,000.00.KSh 2,500.00Current price is: KSh 2,500.00.
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