Kenya’s New Soil Management Policy Paves the Way for Sustainable Agriculture and Enhanced Soil Health

Kenya’s Soil Management Policy is ready, marking a crucial step towards promoting soil structure and health.

According to Dr Paul Rono, the PS State Department of Crop at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, the framework will soon be rolled out to guide the restoration of the status of Kenyan soils.

In an interview with the Nairobi News during this year’s World Soil Day, Dr Rono stated that the document would outline the type of fertilisers farmers should use, among other interventions.

For a prolonged period, farmers have been using fertilisers that are reported to negatively impact soil status and the overall ecosystem, some of which are allegedly made of hazardous chemicals.

“The government has developed a Soil Policy Management Plan that will be rolled out soon to ensure that our soil structure for agriculture is made healthy for maximum crop production,” explained Dr Rono.

World Soil Day, observed annually on December 5, is dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of healthy soil and advocating for sustainable soil management.

According to PS Rono, the government is committed to addressing food security and hunger, with soil being a key component that needs attention to improve agricultural production.

He expressed regret that the nature of Kenyan soils has been adversely affected due to poor farming practices, land degradation, and climate change, particularly impacting Arid and Semi-Arid Land (ASAL) regions where locals face severe drought seasons and floods.

“We will implement various programs and interventions as part of the policy, including a National Agricultural Investment Plan to address soil-related issues. Starting from the next year, 2024, we will ensure that farmers use the right fertiliser to promote soil structure and health,” Dr Rono emphasized.

Under the ongoing government-subsidized fertiliser program, the PS noted that the farm input is blended to support the growth of crops.

The primary beneficiaries are maize, coffee, and tea farmers, with the government anticipating a harvest of 61 million bags of maize this year.

During the 2023 World Soil Day, the Kenya Food Systems and Land Use Action Plan for 2024-2030 was unveiled.

The strategic plan prioritises key issues such as sustainable land use, productive and regenerative agriculture, healthy diets, reducing food loss and waste, protecting and restoring nature, and a whole-system transition through gender, youth, and social inclusion.

“The action plan comprises evidence-based recommendations, which are a step further in the conversation of Kenya’s food system transformation, with soil remaining a critical element,” stated Prof Hamadi Boga, AGRA Vice President for Program Delivery.

Kenya’s agriculture sector is integral to its economy and food security, currently realizing only 25 percent of its potential yields.

The underperformance is largely attributed to the rapid depletion of critical micro and macronutrients in the soil, such as phosphorus, essential for optimal plant growth and yields.

It is estimated that 63 percent of Kenya’s arable land is suffering from soil acidity, with only between 1 to 8 percent of farmers adopting the appropriate use of lime for managing the condition.

By Sammy Waweru