Abstract:
Most parts of Kenya are semi-arid/arid with scanty
rainfall amounts irregularly distributed. Population pressure in high
potential agro-ecological zones has pushed human settlement to
fragile ecosystems. The objective of this study is to define extent of
current agriculture landuse, assess crop health and vigour for the
growing season of 2010 and compare with 2011, identify influence of
rainfall distribution on crop production and define soil characteristics
related to crop production in Machakos County. The methodology is
based on satellite data processing. Landsat Image is used to classify
land use land cover and derive agricultural land. SPOT Vegetation
Index data is used to assess and do a time series analysis of biomass
health and vigour for the cropping season in Machakos. FEWSNET
rainfall data was used to compute cumulative rainfall amount and
mean for the growing season. Soil characteristics were derived from
the soil database. The analysis revealed that Agriculture farming land
occupies 64% of the total land mass, and most land in high potential
areas of the district is under agricultural production. Between March
and September 2011 the region received total rainfall of 81-250mm.
Crop health condition from measured vegetation index in 2010 was
better than 2011 agronomic season, this can be attributed to decline in
moisture content and nutrients. The soils in the region are
characterized by low water holding capacity and low organic matters.
Irrigation and Water harvesting mechanisms need to be put in place.
Sustainable agriculture eg. crop rotation can be put in place to boost
agriculture.
