Climate and soils of the South Kinangop Plateau of Kenya : their limitations on land use

In the Kinangop Plateau of Kenya where small holder farmers have been settled, varied climate and soils occur and the level of land use and management is not as high as may be expected. The climate and soils were therefore studied with a view to identity the constraints they present to land use and management and how the constraints may be rectified. Low temperatures and frequent frosts are the main climate constraints while imperfect drainage, low fertility and shallow effective rooting depth are some of the soil constraints. A comprehensive project which incorporates sub-programmes on the improvement of soil drainage and fertility, the improvement of collection, storage, transportation and marketing of produce, the improvement of the economics of farm enterprises and advisory services, and the improvement of on-farm roads has been proposed.