The effectiveness of mobile kraals in soil fertility management and potential for soil health enhancement under semi-arid conditions in Zimbabwe

Moyo, Martin; Dube, Farayi; Magaisa, Alec; Mupeyiwa, Justin. 2024. The effectiveness of mobile kraals in soil fertility management and potential for soil health enhancement under semi-arid conditions in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe: ICRISAT

The traditional way of applying manure which involves extraction of manure from fixed kraals for application in crop fields is ineffective and labour intensive. The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) implemented a research study in Matabeleland North, Masvingo, and Manicaland province to evaluate the effectiveness of mobile kraaling or direct soil fertilization on crop fields using cattle and goats. Whilst the mobile kraaling technology proved to be effective in enhancing crop productivity and soil biochemistry, it is not yet known to what extent it enhances soil microbial abundance, diversity, and functionality. Recommending or upscaling the mobile kraaling technology as an agroecological farming practice calls for further research to assess if it enhances soil health, which is a key principle in agroecology. This paper therefore aims to report the findings from the mobile kraaling study and to present the proposed next research actions validating it as an agroecological farming practice. We first outline the challenges that necessitated the mobile kraaling study, present the findings, and discuss possible future opportunities. The information on how the mobile kraaling technology impacts crop productivity, soil biochemistry, and soil health will inform decision-making, future research, and policy.