Nairobi: The Heinrich Boell Foundation has unveiled a report highlighting the alarming state of agricultural soils in Kenya and its critical impacts on food and nutritional security. The report, dubbed the Soil Atlas – Kenya Edition, reveals that only 20 percent of Kenya’s land is fit for cultivation, jeopardizing food production and sustainability in the country.
According to Kenya News Agency, over 40 percent of East Africa’s soils are degraded, threatening agriculture, food security, and livelihoods. In Kenya, the situation is dire, with only 20 percent of croplands being arable and an alarming loss of up to 26 tons of soil per hectare annually due to soil erosion. Furthermore, soil salinization affects 40 percent of irrigated land.
Director of Heinrich Boell Foundation, Joachim Paul, expressed concern over the condition of the soil during the report’s launch in Nairobi. He stated that soil degradation is undermining agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods, exacerbating food insecurity. Paul emphasized that soil is the foundation of life, influencing the food we eat, the water we drink, and the air we breathe.
Paul also noted that 63 percent of arable land in Kenya is affected by acidity, 80 percent of soils suffer from phosphorus deficiency, and 75 percent have depleted organic carbon levels, which reduce soil fertility and microbial activity. He stressed that protecting soil is essential for sustaining ecosystems, food security, and climate resilience, particularly in Africa.
The 2024 African Soil Health and Fertilizer Summit acknowledged the need for holistic solutions, highlighting the importance of policy support for sustainable farming practices like agroecology to restore soil fertility. Paul warned against over-reliance on fertilizers, as increased fertilizer use does not always lead to better agricultural yields.
Dr. Harun Warui, Lead Programme Coordinator for Agroecology and Food Rights at Heinrich Boell Foundation, emphasized that sustainable soil management will not only protect the soil but also enhance the nutritional value of the food consumed. He advocated for agroecology, which integrates biodiversity, soil management, and organic inputs such as organic fertilizer and bio-pesticides, to improve yields by up to 30 percent while reducing dependency on costly synthetic fertilizers.
Project Coordinator of the Route to Food Initiative, Christine Gatwiri, highlighted the importance of sustainable soil restoration practices, including organic inputs and diverse cropping systems, for long-term nutrition security, particularly for vulnerable groups. She acknowledged the government’s commitment to food fortification policies but urged addressing the root cause of nutrient-deficient soils.
Sylvia Kuria, an organic farmer from Ndeiya, Kiambu County, noted that Kenyan farmers are adopting alternative soil restoration methods like bio fertilizers, composting, and agroforestry to improve soil health and productivity. She emphasized that soil is a living system requiring care, investment, and respect, urging a shift beyond seeing soil as mere dirt beneath our feet. Kuria concluded that protecting and restoring soil health is vital for ensuring food security, protecting biodiversity, and addressing climate change.
