As the planting season approaches, farmers have been urged to test their soils to know their nutritional strengths and deficiencies.
Over the years, soils in many developing countries have been affected by issues such as erosion, over-exploitation and excessive use of synthetic inputs.
A soil scientist working with Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT Dr Manoj Kaushal said there were many soil management issues in Kenya and Africa in general due to unsustainable agricultural practices and environmental degradation.
Under the CGIAR’s Nature Positive Solutions Initiative (Nature +) scientists from The Alliance and Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO) have been collecting samples in selected areas of Kisumu and Vihiga counties for testing.
Speaking in Kisumu, Dr Kaushal observed that there was massive soil erosion in areas such as Jimo East and Agoro East areas of Kisumu County that has washed away the rich top soils to the shores of Lake Victoria.
“Many other organisations have been in this area and they encouraged the communities to plant trees, however, most of the trees were later cut down for firewood or charcoal,” Dr Kaushal said.
He emphasised the need to find long-term solutions and sustainable methods to restore soils in the two areas that are characterised by deep wide gullies and bare lands dotted by unhealthy shrubs.
“Now that the rainy season is approaching, a period when farmers plant crops, it is vital to manage the soils and test them in order to know the necessary measures and additions to make in order to enhance fertility,” he said.
Dr Kaushal observed that top soil had been washed away and farmers in the area were facing consequences such as reduced or no crop production.
He called for joint efforts involving farmers, county and national governments, policy makers and researchers to manage the problem.
He added that soil health matters should be at the core of the country’s policy makers when framing policies addressing soil management issues and food and nutrition security.
“The government can also make sure that these policies are well in place. Beyond that, government should develop soil testing infrastructure in the area to bring services closer to the people and make them accessible in a timely manner,” he advised.
He also observed that there was only one Agriculture Extension Officer serving several villages, making it difficult for the locals to access expert advice.
He urged the government to create awareness, recruit more extension officers and train them together with chiefs and assistant chiefs at village level on matters regarding soil health the importance of soil testing.
Dr Kaushal urged the government to consider providing subsidised alternatives to chemical fertilisers such as organic amendments and bio-based solution and bio-fertilisers to farmers as a way of restoring soils with nutrients and organic matter deficiencies.
Dr Fredrick Baijukya, a Farming Systems Agronomist from International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) said soil regulates the biological and physical processes in the atmosphere as well as the lithosphere.
He noted that climate change has adverse effects on soils such as flooding, erosion and loss of moisture and microbiome due to extreme hot temperatures.
“If the temperature rises above normal, it warms the soil and affects the composition processes within it because it reduces moisture and decreases the organic matter,” he said.
Dr Baijukya added that high temperatures also affect the microbial population in the soil which mediates various processes such as decomposition, nutrient release, suppressing pests and diseases infestation among other things that micro-organisms do in the soil.
He said farmers, especially the small scale producers, are the primary soil users when it comes to agriculture.
“Farmers are greatly disadvantaged because they are unknowingly working on infertile soils, they do not have the capacity or knowledge to restore it,” Dr Baijukya said, adding that the consequences affect food production and security at the local and national levels.
He asked the government and development partners to intervene and provide farmers with resources to restore soil fertility.
Evelyne, a farmer in Agoro East, said she did not know the importance of soil testing and neither does she have the expertise to examine it from home.
She expressed optimism that through Nature+ initiative, she and her neighbours would be educated on how to manage and restore soils.
“I do organic farming by using compost manure and mulching my crops. I also practice crop rotation,” she said.
Evelyne observed that when growing up, there were worms and beetles among other living organisms in the soil which are no longer there due to degradation.
She hailed the Nature + initiative for creating awareness on the importance of soil testing adding that farmers will take the challenge, find out what their soil was lacking and input the right mineral and nutrient additions.
Her sentiments were echoed by another farmer, Vitalis Onuong’a, who blamed land adjudication in the 1950s for the degradation in Jimo East, many other parts of Nyanza and the entire country.
“The land was fertile and covered in grass, shrubs and trees but after adjudication, everyone does whatever they want with their pieces of land,” he said.
Onuong’a appealed to the government to visit rural areas, survey the degraded areas and advise farmers on proper land and soil management.
According to Elizabeth Omusiele, a peasant farmer, most farmers barely think about soil testing because they lack information on its importance and where to do it.
“Although farmers have noticed a decline in production, they lack knowledge on what should be done to boost soil fertility,” she added.
She observed that through the interventions by Nature +, farmers know the nutritional deficiency in their soils and the necessary action to take.
Omusiele urged the government and development partners to educate farmers on the need for soil testing as a way of enhancing better production and subsequently food security.
