Effects Of Agricultural Production On Wetlands: A Case Study Of Koniala Wetland, Kisumu County, Kenya

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this research is to evaluate the extent to which wetland agricultural

production allows the wetland ecosystems of the developing countries to be tempered

with due to the increased human activities i.e. agro-production. Similarly, it allows us

to establish quantitative relationships between anthropogenic activities and ecological

responses. Effect of farming practices on wetlands in Kisumu District was

determined through assessment of farmers’ environmental awareness.

Effective conservation of wetlands in the district cannot depend on prohibitions but

should be based on users’ knowledge and attitudes of wetlands. The present study

examined farmers’ knowledge of the environmental effect of agricultural expansion to

wetlands; absence of knowledge of characteristics of farming activities and the

attitudes of farmers with respect to planning mechanisms that might be used to

support wetland protection in the area. The majority of farmers ignored the effect of

agriculture on wetlands. Those who occupied wetland areas practiced intensive

agriculture and were ignorant of the effect of this on water quality, soil and landscape.

The government should implement training programmes for all wetland users in

Kisumu County to make them more environmentally aware of the impacts of farming

practices on wetlands.

This is meant to make them become more environmentally aware of the effects of

farming practices on these ecosystems and eventually change their behavior. There is

a need to build a conservation ethic among wetland users by educating them to

sustainably utilize wetland resources and training them to practice sustainable

agriculture. Specifically, we need to treat each new project and scheme as a “natural

experiment” where the ecological resources and effects are quantified from before the

project is implemented until long after implementation. Until this is accomplished, we

run the risk of repeating the same mistakes that have been made in the past. The

research used quantitative methods in tabulated information, percentages and charts.

To sum up, the researcher was able to come up in agreement with the local

community who came to understand the need of wetland sustainability hence agreed to carryout sustainable agriculture and conserve wetlands.