Publication: Land and Water Resources Planning and Management Options in Floodplain Wetlands in Nyando Basin, Kenya
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2021-12-17
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NRF
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Scientific Research Publishing Inc
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Abstract
The functions of and services from wetlands are seriously compromised due
land and water scarcity coupled with the inability of poor people to adopt
sound management strategies. The expansion of rice irrigation into the Ombeyi wetland ecosystem is likely to reduce their long-term ecological functionality. Using field observations and measurements, stakeholder analysis framework and consultative fora, this study investigated the growth in irrigated
agriculture, irrigation practices and existing and potential trade-offs between
the various uses of the wetland and their ecological functions. The objective
was to identify the equilibrium between expansion of area under rice and
restoration of the Ombeyi wetland ecosystem. Issues affecting wetland use
and management were identified and used to derive possible solutions that
could lead to sustainable use of the wetlands. The study showed that the area
under rice cultivation increased by up to 760% as compared to the 1970s,
most of it into the wetlands. There was a huge dependency on irrigation for
food and income generation. However, there was observed low efficiency in
water use and management. Recent emerging crops, especially arrow roots,
would pose more threats to the wetland ecosystem because of their tolerance
to waterlogged soils, low labour input, continuous harvesting and fewer pests
and diseases. The fast exhaustion of soil fertility by arrow roots is also likely
to motivate expansion into new areas, predominantly the wetlands. It was established that transplanting rice by mid May as opposed to the current practice in which farmers transplant in mid July saves water. The impact could
further be reduced if the farmers adopted an optimized seasonal calendar.
The study concluded that the solutions to wetland encroachment and over
exploitation of resources lie in capacity building of farmers, improving efficiency in resource use and seeking for alternative livelihood options.
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Keywords
Irrigation, Livelihood Options, Rice, Stakeholders, Wetland