Kenyan farmers are grappling with declining soil health, which they attribute to prolonged use of chemical fertilizers that have acidified the land and reduced crop yields.
Evelyne Musambi reports for The Associated Press.
In short:
- Farmers like Benson Wanjala have seen maize yields plummet from 200 bags to 30 due to soil acidification.
- Kenya’s agriculture ministry found 63% of arable land is now acidic, worsening food security as maize production fell by 4% in 2022.
- Experts advocate for a return to traditional farming methods and the use of organic fertilizers to restore soil health.
Key quote:
“Inorganic fertilizers were never meant to be the foundation of crop production... our soils are now poor, acidic low in biomass resources and without life!”
— Stephen Muchiri, executive director of the Eastern Africa Farmers Federation
Why this matters:
For many Kenyan farmers, the declining quality of soil translates directly into reduced crop yields. This, in turn, threatens their ability to support their families and communities. The issue is compounded by climate change, which exacerbates soil erosion and nutrient loss. Without intervention, the situation is poised to deteriorate further, leading to a potential food crisis.
