Integrating Farmers' and Scientists' Knowledge in Participatory Soil Mapping and Management: A Case Study from Semi-Arid Eastern Kenya

Sustainable natural resources management, particularly soil management, requires integration of farmers', researchers' and other stakeholders' knowledge for enhanced rural development. A field study was conducted by an interdisciplinary team of scientists in Kasikeu Sub-Location of Makueni District, Kenya, to assist in integrating farmers' and scientists' knowledge on soils in a participatory soil mapping. Gender-sensitive farmer group meetings, on-site discussions, transect walks, soil profile descriptions, and laboratory soil analyses were used for the study. The results of the study showed that farmers in Kasikeu mainly used soil surface characteristics such as colour, texture and coarseness to classify soils. Scientists on the other hand used the FAO/UNESCO Legend for the Soil Map of the World which lays emphasis on the characteristics of the subsoil. Further, at farm level, fanners know in detail the soil types, uses, and management of their soil after living and working on the soils for a long time. Scientists, on the other hand, acquire the knowledge on the soils in a relatively short time through soil survey, testing and classification. The analytical and other scientific data complements the farmers', knowledge on aspects that they cannot interpret. The women farmers have more detailed information on soils than men farmers, since the women are more involved in farming activities. Finally, the study showed that integration of indigenous knowledge provided by farmers and the scientific knowhow and facilities provided by the scientists underscored the fact that farmers and scientists need each other. In this way, scientists will be in a better position to identify the most appropriate agricultural interventions for improving soil productivity.