In an eye-opening revelation, the Heinrich Boell Foundation has published a report spotlighting the disturbing condition of agricultural soils in Kenya and underscoring the consequential threats to food and nutritional security. Titled the Soil Atlas – Kenya Edition, this report sheds light on a pressing issue: a mere 20% of Kenyan land is arable, putting the country’s food production and sustainability at considerable risk.
This report paints a sobering picture, indicating that over 40% of East Africa’s soils are compromised—a grave concern for agriculture, food security, and the well-being of local communities. Kenya, in particular, finds itself in a precarious situation. With only a fifth of its cropland suitable for farming, the country faces an alarming annual soil erosion rate of up to 26 tons per hectare. Further compounding these challenges, 40% of irrigated land suffers from soil salinization.
During the Nairobi launch of the report, Joachim Paul, Director of the Heinrich Boell Foundation, raised an urgent alarm about these findings. He remarked, “Soil is the foundation of life, yet it remains one of the most overlooked and undervalued resources,” emphasizing how crucial soil health is to what we eat, the water we drink, and even the air we breathe.
The statistics in the report are stark: a staggering 63% of arable land is impacted by acidity, 80% suffers from phosphorus deficiency, and 75% of Kenya’s soils are depleted of organic carbon, diminishing both fertility and microbial activity. Paul noted, “Protecting soil is not just an agricultural concern alone but is essential for sustaining ecosystems, food security, and climate resilience, particularly in Africa.”
Recognizing the urgency, the 2024 African Soil Health and Fertilizer Summit highlighted the requirement for comprehensive solutions. Policies must champion sustainable farming methods like agroecology to rejuvenate soil richness. Paul further argued against a sole dependency on fertilizers as a panacea for Kenya’s soil health crisis, pointing out that increased fertilizer usage doesn’t equate to higher yields.
Dr. Harun Warui, Lead Programme Coordinator for Agroecology and Food Rights at the Heinrich Boell Foundation, added depth to this conversation by advocating for sustainable soil management. Not only does this protect the soil, but it also enhances the nutritional content of our food. “Agroecology offers a sustainable path forward, blending biodiversity, soil management, and organic inputs like organic fertilizer and bio-pesticides,” remarked Warui.
He cited studies that demonstrate agroecological farming’s capacity to bolster yields by up to 30% while slashing reliance on expensive synthetic fertilizers. Warui stressed that transitioning towards organic inputs, sustainable soil practices, and dietary diversity is paramount for enduring nutritional security. “Investing in agroecological practices not only restores soil fertility but also builds resilience against climate change,” he further noted.
Christine Gatwiri, Project Coordinator of the Route to Food Initiative, reinforced these sentiments, pointing out the necessity for sustainable soil restoration techniques. These include organic inputs and diverse farming systems, which are pivotal for long-term nutrition security, particularly for those most vulnerable. “Healthy soils lead to nutrient-dense crops, which in turn bolster human health and reduce the need for external fortification,” Gatwiri explained.
She acknowledged the Kenyan government’s dedication to mandatory large-scale food fortification policies but urged a focus on tackling the root causes of nutrient-poor soils. Sylvia Kuria, an organic farmer from Ndeiya in Kiambu County, provided a personal anecdote, sharing that many Kenyan farmers are embracing alternative soil restoration techniques—such as bio-fertilizers, composting, and agroforestry—to enhance soil health and productivity.
“Soil is not an infinite resource; it is a living, breathing system that requires care, investment, and respect,” stated Kuria, urging a paradigm shift from viewing soil as mere dirt. She emphasized that safeguarding and restoring soil health is critical for guaranteeing food security, conserving biodiversity, and confronting climate change.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International–Monitoring.
