Tackling Soil Acidity in Kenya: Kickoff Workshop Launches Scoping Study for Kenya Soil Health Program

On November 13, 2024, leaders in soil health and agriculture gathered at the Fairview Hotel in Nairobi for a pivotal workshop aimed at addressing a critical issue impacting Kenyan agriculture: soil acidity. Hosted by the Sustain Africa Initiative in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Cooperatives and supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, this workshop marked the launch of the Kenya Soil Health Program – Scoping Study. This scoping study is a key step toward implementing sustainable soil health practices to enhance crop productivity, strengthen food security, and build environmental resilience in Kenya.

Why Soil Health Matters: Kenya’s Soil Crisis

Soil health in Kenya—and across sub-Saharan Africa—faces a severe crisis. Soil acidity, nutrient depletion, erosion, and low organic matter have drastically reduced the fertility of agricultural lands. In Kenya alone, around 7.5 million hectares (13%) of agricultural soils are acidic, posing a major obstacle to crop productivity, food security, and livelihoods.

The areas most affected include Kenya’s food baskets in Central, Western, and the Rift Valley regions, as well as parts of Eastern and Coastal Kenya. Left unchecked, soil acidity severely limits nutrient availability, inhibits soil biodiversity, and reduces yields. While agricultural intensification is a goal for food security, soil health must be preserved to sustain high productivity. Liming, a soil amendment practice that addresses acidity, offers a promising solution to this issue.

"Healthy soils are the foundation of sustainable agriculture. By addressing soil acidity, we are not just improving yields; we are investing in the future of farming, food security, and the generations to come, " said Sheila Keino, Executive Director, Sustain Africa Initiative.

Workshop Goals and Agenda

The workshop served as an essential forum to set the direction for the scoping study, allowing stakeholders to align on priorities, define a collaborative approach, and refine strategies for a national soil health program. Key objectives of the workshop included:

1. Clarifying the study’s scope and goals.
2. Reviewing early data and findings.
3. Establishing clear methods, timelines, and deliverables.
4. Engaging with stakeholders and assessing potential risks.

The agenda included presentations and discussions from leading soil health advocates and researchers. Highlights included insights from experts at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, the Fertilizer Association of Kenya, and the Excellence in Agronomy Initiative supported by C. These discussions focused on current liming initiatives, innovative soil management practices, and scalable solutions for Kenyan agriculture.

The Path Forward: Scoping Study and Liming Pilot

A significant part of the scoping study will focus on identifying challenges and opportunities for rolling out a commercial liming program. The team aims to introduce lime to the market effectively and devise a cohesive, scalable marketing strategy to drive widespread farmer adoption. The program envisions piloting liming on at least 100,000 acres across counties where soil acidity poses the greatest challenges. "Reclaiming acidic soils through liming is more than just an agricultural practice—it’s a vital step toward restoring fertility, improving crop productivity, and securing a sustainable future for Kenyan farmers and food systems," says Keino.

Why Liming?

Liming is a highly effective strategy for managing soil acidity, as it directly improves soil pH while mobilizing essential nutrients and reducing toxic elements in the soil. By reclaiming acidic soils, liming enhances the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soil, which collectively foster plant growth and optimize nutrient absorption. With proper implementation, liming can be a game-changer in Kenya’s agricultural landscape.

A Step Toward a Sustainable Future

As Kenya embarks on this journey to rejuvenate its soils, the Kenya Soil Health Program represents a crucial step in addressing the challenges of soil health. This effort is more than just a project; it’s a commitment to the future of Kenya’s agricultural productivity and a blueprint for scalable solutions to soil degradation across Africa.

Stay tuned as the Kenya Soil Health Program progresses, setting the stage for healthier soils, more resilient farms, and a brighter future for Kenyan agriculture.