FAO Soil Doctors Programme is training farmers and extension officers in Kenya to improve soil health, boost crop productivity and build climate-resilient farming systems.

FAO Soil Doctors Programme
Healthy soils are the foundation of healthy food production, yet many farmers lack access to practical knowledge on how to restore and manage them. In western Kenya, the the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Soil Doctors Programme is helping change that by equipping farmers and extension officers with simple, science-based techniques to improve soil health and agricultural productivity.

For four days – from 29th, June to 2nd July 2026, 30 agricultural extension officers and 15 farmers gathered at Bukura Agricultural Training College in Kakamega County with a common goal: to learn how to maintain healthy soils for improved agricultural productivity not only on their farms but also as trainers for fellow extension agents and farmers.

Addressing declining soil fertility

In Kenya, declining soil fertility, nutrient depletion and increasing climate variability are reducing agricultural productivity in many farming areas, making practical soil management knowledge more important than ever.

The training forms part of SoilFER – Soil Mapping for Resilient Agrifood Systems in Central America and Africa – FAO’s flagship programme supported by the Governments of the United States of America and Japan, which is strengthening soil information, advisory services and sustainable soil management to support more resilient agrifood systems.

Through the Soil Doctors Programme, farmers gain practical knowledge and skills to improve soil health, increase crop productivity, and strengthen food and nutrition security. The programme follows a “train-the-trainer” model, enabling extension officers and leading farmers to pass their knowledge on to hundreds of additional farmers in their communities. This way, practical soil management practices can spread well beyond the classroom.

FAO Soil Doctors Programme

Farmers learning new techniques

Among the participants was Esther Nelima from Shivanga Sub-County in Kakamega County. Sitting attentively in the training hall, she followed a presentation by Charles Nyayiera, Deputy Director for Agriculture in Homa Bay County. In this programme, both the trainer and trainee are deepening their understanding of soil management practices.

During the first two days, agricultural extension officers underwent intensive training facilitated by Vinisa Saynes Santillan –Soil Fertility Specialist from FAO, and Barrack Okoba, the National Project Coordinator for the SoilFER in Kenya. The sessions focused on key aspects of soil health, including soil structure, soil types, the importance of soil pH, and simple methods for assessing soil characteristics using locally available materials and tools. The extension agents were also trained on basic communication skills by Joseph Othieno the FAO Kenya Communication Specialist.

“This project is unique and has come at the right time. For a long time, there has been a lot of emphasis on plant health while overlooking the very foundation for such health, which is the soil,” said Okoba during an interview with journalists covering the training.

For many participants, the training challenged long-held farming practices such as burning agricultural waste and crop residues after harvesting, leaving soil bare after harvest, and applying fertilizers without understanding the condition and nutrient needs of their soils.

“I am learning a lot from this training. I have learned how to take care of soil. I used to burn maize stover, but I have now learned that this destroys soil organic matter, which is essential for healthy soils,” said Esther.

She is not alone. Kuki Burundi, another farmer from Kakamega, admitted that before attending the training, he practiced monocropping and often left his soil bare. Through the programme, he has learned that such practices can degrade soil health and reduce productivity over time.

Both farmers expressed their commitment to applying the new knowledge on their farms and sharing it with fellow farmers in their communities.

The training adopted a participatory approach. It began with theoretical sessions where extension officers learned about various soil health concepts using visual aids and group discussions. Participants then made presentations to one another before cascading the knowledge to farmers through practical demonstrations.

“The good thing about this model is that it is practical in nature,” explained Okoba. “It gives participants hands-on experience and equips them with simple procedures they can use to diagnose soil conditions and provide farmers with appropriate recommendations.”

Looking into the future

Beyond improving practices at farm level, the programme also contributes to Kenya’s national soil information efforts. Data generated through the initiative will feed into the Kenya Integrated Agricultural Management Information System (KIAMIS), helping inform evidence-based agricultural planning and more targeted fertilizer recommendations.

According to Vinisa, soil health is a critical cog in ensuring better production. With the current challenges of climate change we must understand the soil requirements to build the resilience of crop farmers.

Such an approach would help move away from the traditional practice of supplying the same fertilizer recommendations across different regions, regardless of variations in soil type and nutrient status.

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https://farmerstrend.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/FAO-Soil-Doctors-Programme-2-1024x713.jpeghttps://farmerstrend.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/FAO-Soil-Doctors-Programme-2-150x150.jpegFarmersTrend# TrendingFAO Soil Doctors ProgrammeFAO Soil Doctors Programme is training farmers and extension officers in Kenya to improve soil health, boost crop productivity and build climate-resilient farming systems.Healthy soils are the foundation of healthy food production, yet many farmers lack access to practical knowledge on how to restore and manage them. In western...New Generation Culture in Agriculture