| dc.description.abstract | Human activities have globally accelerated soil erosion between ten to forty times the natural occurrences. The hill slopes of Kajulu are not exceptional to such accelerated soil erosion. Since soils form at a very slow rate than they are destroyed, there is therefore the fear that if the soils on the hill slopes are not conserved by checking erosion, then there will be infertile soil in future to sustain agricultural production. Consequently, famine, malnutrition related diseases and death will ensue. This study assessed the levels of soil erosion among the arable farmed areas, comparing the variations of the extent of soil erosion in the de-vegetated and vegetated areas and also evaluated the effectiveness of the mitigation measures adopted by the farmers to minimize the effects of erosion. The study adopted cross sectional and quasi-experimental research design. Empirical solutions model involving renaissance methods such as erosion pin and collector ditch techniques were used. Other research tools used to collect data were: observation, tape measure, interviews guide, questionnaire, documentary sources, Google map and GPRS technology. The study adopted purposive sampling, snowballing, stratified and simple random sampling techniques with a sample size of 295 out of 1600 households. Data from the field were analyzed using measures of central tendency, Man U-test, Pearson product moment correlation, Chi-square and Spearman rank correlation. The study used tables, pie charts, bar graphs, divided rectangles and photographs to present data. The results showed that plots where no conservation measures were practiced had a mean soil loss of l.198kg/m2 per season. Plots under cut off ditches and vegetative strips had a soil loss of 0.615kg/m2 and 0.904kg/m2 respectively and were the most effective in controlling erosion with Man U=7. The depth of erosion varied from 0mm on the vegetated parts of the hill slopes to 7mm and 8mm on the upper and middle section of the de-vegetated parts of the slopes which are equivalent to 80m3/Ha and 70m3/Ha. Hence, afforestation (0mm on the depth of erosion pin), cut off ditches and vegetative strips (0.615kg/m3 and 0.901kg/m2; Man U= 7) were the most effective mitigation measures to lessen the impact of erosion on the hill slopes of Kajulu. The study recommended: that farmers be encouraged and given incentives to carry out biological contour farming principle techniques, practice cover cropping and intercropping on the arable farms. The local residents be encouraged to practice agro-forestry, afforestation and reforestation in order to increase the soils' vegetative cover and be given incentives inform of free seedlings, subsidized seedlings and financial support inform of wages to security personnel employed to nurture and protect the forest. Adoption of more cut off ditches, vegetative strips and fanya juu terracing as mitigation measures against soil erosion on the hill slopes of Kajulu. | en_US |