By Peter Ngare
Only 20% of agricultural lands in Kenya are arable, with an alarming loss of up to 26 tons of soil per hectare annually due to soil erosion.A report by the Heinrich Boell Foundation (hbf) blames overuse of synthetic fertilizers, monoculture farming, and deforestation for the declining soil fertility, erosion, and desertification, with 63% of arable land affected by acidity, 80% of soils suffering from phosphorus deficiency, and 75% of Kenya’s soils experiencing depleted organic carbon levels, reducing soil fertility and microbial activity.
The report shows that over-reliance on inorganic fertilizers alone is not the solution to Kenya’s soil health crisis and urged for holistic solutions to support sustainable farming practices like agroecology to restore soil fertility.“Agroecology offers a sustainable path forward by integrating biodiversity, soil management, and organic inputs such as organic fertilizer and biopesticides. Studies show that agroecological farming can improve yields by up to 30% while reducing dependence on costly synthetic fertilizers.
Investing in these practices will not only restore soil fertility but also build resilience against climate change,” says Dr. Harun Warui, Lead Programme Coordinator, Agroecology and Food Rights at the Heinrich Boell Foundation.The report says that sustainable soil management will not only protect the soil but also enhance the nutritional value of the food we consume as declining soil health directly affects food nutrition. “Healthy soils lead to nutrient-dense crops, which in turn support human health and reduce reliance on external fortification.
While we acknowledge the government’s commitment to food fortification through mandatory large-scale fortification (MLSF) policies, we must address the root cause, which is nutrient-deficient soils. Sustainable soil restoration practices, including organic inputs and diverse cropping systems, are essential for long-term nutrition security, particularly for vulnerable groups such as pregnant women and lactating mothers,” remarks Christine Gatwiri, Project Coordinator, Route to Food Initiative, and co-author of “The Missing Link: Soil Health and Nutrition Crisis”.
The report expresses concerns over agrochemical corporations continued influence on policies that block sustainable agricultural reforms. It further calls for stronger regulations to protect farmers and consumers from harmful practices by agrochemical corporations noting that 44% of pesticides used in Kenya are banned in the European Union due to environmental and health risks.
