Kenya faces a looming food crisis as only 20% of its land is arable, worsened by soil erosion losing 26 tonnes per hectare yearly and salinization affecting irrigated land. A call for sustainable practices like agroecology arises, emphasizing soil preservation for food security and health. Experts advocate for dietary diversity and organic methods to improve nutrition and resilience against climate change.
The recent report by the Heinrich Boell Foundation signals an alarming future for food security in Kenya, revealing that only 20% of the nation’s land is suitable for agriculture. With the country experiencing a significant loss of soil annually—approximately 26 tonnes per hectare due to erosion—and an additional 4% of irrigated land suffering from salinization, the situation is critical. These factors are undermining efforts to maintain food production levels.
Joachim Paul, the Heinrich Boell Foundation Director, emphasized the crucial role of soil health for ecosystems, food security, and climate resilience, particularly in Africa. At the launch of the Soil Atlas-Kenya Edition, he stated that the degradation of soil threatens productivity, especially in rural regions, and exacerbates social inequality. The report identified synthetic fertilizers, monoculture practices, and deforestation as leading causes of declining soil fertility, increasing erosion, and desertification.
The findings indicated severe soil health issues in Kenya, with 63% of land affected by acidity, 80% suffering phosphorus deficiency, and 75% exhibiting low organic carbon levels, all detrimental to soil fertility. To combat this crisis, the report advocates for sustainable farming practices, particularly agroecology, which incorporates biodiversity and organic inputs.
Dr. Harun Warui, the Lead Programme Coordinator at the Heinrich Boell Foundation, highlighted that agroecological practices can enhance yields by up to 30% while reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers. He stressed that investing in sustainable practices is vital for restoring soil fertility and enhancing resilience to climate change.
Christine Gatwiri, a Project Coordinator at Route to Food Initiative (RTFI), pointed out the significance of dietary diversity for long-term nutrition security. She called for a transition to organic inputs and sustainable practices that enrich the soil and improve food nutrition, particularly highlighting the importance for vulnerable populations.
RTFI previously urged the government to adopt agroecological methods to alleviate ongoing food challenges. Dr. Martin Oulu, also involved with RTFI, raised concerns about biodiversity loss linked to harmful agricultural chemicals. He posited that agroecology could be a vital solution to food insecurity and encouraged local organic fertilizer production by training farmers.
Furthermore, Dr. Oulu called on agricultural education institutions to modernize their curricula to include agroecology, promoting knowledge transfer and biodiversity preservation. Agroecology encompasses various sustainable agricultural methods, such as crop diversification, conservation tillage, and biological pest control, to create a resilient agricultural system that supports both the environment and community health.
In conclusion, the Heinrich Boell Foundation’s report highlights the severe threat that soil degradation poses to food security in Kenya. With significant land loss and soil health issues identified, it is imperative for the country to adopt sustainable farming practices, such as agroecology, and embrace nutrient-dense organic inputs to enhance soil health. Stakeholders in agriculture must work towards a holistic approach to restore soil fertility and ensure long-term nutrition security, particularly for vulnerable populations. Investing in these practices not only alleviates food insecurity but also promotes environmental sustainability.
Original Source: www.kenyanews.go.ke
