Zai Pits As A Climate-Smart Agriculture Technique In Southern Kenya: Maize Success Is Influenced More By Manure Than Depth
Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)
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Abstract: This peer-reviewed study evaluates the effectiveness of zai pits?a traditional water-harvesting technique?as a Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) practice in semi-arid southern Kenya. Using experimental plots at the Wildlife Works Research Center in Voi, the researchers compared maize performance across four treatments: deep zai pits with manure, shallow zai pits with manure, deep zai pits without manure, and surface (control) planting. Measurements included plant height, stage, root characteristics, and yield metrics over two growing seasons in 2023. The study finds that manure application plays a more significant role than pit depth in influencing maize growth and yield. Shallow pits with manure performed comparably to deep pits and significantly outperformed both pits without manure and traditional planting. The findings suggest that scaling shallower, manure-enriched zai pits could address labor constraints while improving food security and soil fertility in ASAL contexts.