Abstract
Controversy exists on the magnitude and variability of farm nutrient balances and quality of arable land in sub-Saharan Africa with Kenya among those affected negatively. This study investigates quality of arable land by fitting multivariate multilevel model to farm nutrient balance data collected from five agro-climatic zones of Kenya (arable lands). Objectives of the study were to investigate the magnitude and variability of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium (NPK) farm nutrient balances in arable lands of Kenya, study effects of agro-climatic zones on nutrient balances and to determine effects of household resource endowments on NPK nutrient balances. The study concludes that agro-climatic zones differ with respect to farm nutrient balances; that livestock resource endowments and hired labour have positive effects on the magnitude and direction of farm nutrient balances; and that household ownership of large capital resources do not guarantee a positive effect on farm nutrient balances. The study recommends integration of sound livestock practices and application of agro-climatic zone differentiated interventions in future strategies for addressing farm nutrient balances and arable land quality, and the use of large sample sizes and relevant factors/covariates in future analysis to shed additional insights on farm nutrient balances and on how arable land quality can be improved.
Highlights
This study investigates quality of arable land by fitting multivariate multilevel model to farm nutrient balance data collected from five agro-climatic zones of Kenya
In this study we demonstrate that multivariate multilevel models can be used in meta-analysis of farm nutrient balance data arising from complex surveys that involve multi-stage sampling, stratification and unequal sampling probabilities [24]
Based on a two-level multilevel model fitted to the nutrient balance dataset, this study has shown that farm nitrogen mining is taking place and is putting the quality of arable land in Kenya at stake
Summary
Onyango using nutrient balance approach, have indicated declining arable land quality with severe net nutrient losses of the order of 10 kg Nitrogen, 4 kg phosphates and 10 kg potash per hectare annually [1] with Kenya being one of the countries with net nutrient losses [1]. Empirical roots of nutrient balance studies are widely acknowledged [2]. Opinions are divided on the extent and intensity of nutrient mining and variability; whether farmers’ achievements contradict nutrient depletion scenarios [3]; whether levels of nutrient mining differ by agroecological zones and land use systems; whether underlying factors exist to explain direction and magnitude of nutrient balances [4]; and how nutrient balances can be scaled-up
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