Small-scale farmers to adopt moist bed agriculture
Small-scale farmers to adopt moist bed agriculture
Kenyan farmers on small farms have been urged to think about utilizing a new technology to boost their harvests, according to the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization. According to a statement that KALRO released on Friday, small-scale farmers without pricey farmlands are the ideal candidates for moist bed technology.
Raised beds are used in moist bed technology, according to KALRO, to increase crop yields while conserving water.Are you a small-scale vegetable farmer looking for strategies to boost vegetable yield due to limited planting space? This can be solved with moist bed technology.
According to Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, it is a significant water-saving method that boosts vegetable yield.Digging a trench and lining it with organic material like compost, manure, and straw creates moist beds. As a result, crops can be grown with less irrigation because to the organic matter’s role in soil moisture retention.
Using the technology, a range of crops, including fruits, vegetables, and flowers, can be grown. It works particularly well for cultivating crops in arid or semi-arid areas with scarce water supplies.One advantage of moist bed technology is that it uses less water than traditional farming methods. According to estimates, moist bedding can save water consumption by up to 50%.According to the Agriculturalists Magazine, “this is because the organic matter in the soil helps to retain moisture so that crops do not need to be watered as often.”
Additionally, it has been demonstrated that using the technology to consistently provide crops with nutrients and water increases crop yields. This is due to the soil’s organic matter decomposing over time and releasing nutrients essential for plant growth.
By shielding the soil from wind and rain, moist bed technology also contributes to a reduction in soil erosion. This is due to the soil’s organic content, which aids in holding soil particles together.As a result, damp beds are known to enhance soil health by raising the amount of organic matter in the soil. The structure, drainage, and fertility of the soil can all be improved by adding organic matter, according to scientists.
How to Make a Moist Bed:
1. Position the bed in full sun or light shade.
2. Create a trench that is between one and three feet wide and between one and two feet deep.
3. Stuff the trench with organic materials like compost, manure, and straw.
4. Thoroughly water the bed.
5. Plant your crops in the damp ground.
6. After the crops are planted, irrigate the area frequently to keep the soil moist. To aid in moisture retention and to control weeds, the bed should also be mulched with organic material.
