‘DON’T BURN’

Burning land kills soil living organisms leading to desertification.

Crop farming is very important not only in Kenya but the entire world because it is the main source of food whether directly or indirectly. Since maize is the staple food in Kenya, we therefore grow a lot more than any other crop but let us leave it at that. We depend on two rainy seasons in a year and depending on the specific area, some receive more rain than the other

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Farmers are currently busy preparing their lands for planting, but have you ever asked yourself what methods they are using to clear their lands and ensure they stay fertile? Most farmers (especially those in rural areas) surprisingly still use ‘clear and Burn method’ not knowing the more disadvantages they have more than advantages. They forget the benefits that surround treasuring of the waste.

Incase one fails to control the fire, it can destroy other crops and trees.

Burning the waste or weeds after clearing land leads to not only soil erosion but also death and extinction of native birds and wildlife biodiversity. It also removes forest cover, killing soil living organisms leading to infertility of the soil and making it unable to support growth of any kind.

Removing of all windbreaks also comes with the burning of the land, hence increasing wind erosion and sometimes when unable to control the fire, it might destroy houses, trees, crops and other properties leading to a great loss.

As a farmer, you should know that when you burn land, you might receive a high produce only on your first cultivation of that land but the second and henceforth very low produce due to the mentioned effects.

It is high time farmers considered using the trash or weeds as manure instead of polluting even the air and raising soil temperature by burning land hence depriving soil of its fertility.  

                                                                                                    

                        

                                   

By Mrira Stephen