A team comprising Ward Agricultural Officers and agripreneurs has been dispatched to conduct soil sampling on selected farms before the onset of the long rains following their training.
The sampling exercise targets 45 counties in Kenya, aiming to develop a digital soil map to guide farmers on specific fertilizer requirements. The samples will be sent to the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) laboratories for detailed analysis.
The initiative, implemented under the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP), seeks to boost agricultural productivity by providing accurate information on soil health.
“We are going to carry out the sampling exercise before the start of the long rains. The samples will be taken to KALRO laboratories for analysis,” said Fred Wandera, a soil scientist at KALRO.
Kiminini Ward Agricultural Officer Philip Omondi emphasized the importance of the initiative in addressing declining soil fertility.
“This exercise will enable farmers to make informed decisions on the type of fertilizer to use, tailored to their specific soil conditions,” said Mr. Omondi.
Joan Barasa, an agripreneur from Sitatunga Ward, echoed this sentiment, stating that the exercise will help identify the type of soils in each ward and their pH levels to guide the use of appropriate fertilizers.
The training, supported by KALRO, equips participants with the technical skills needed for soil sampling and data collection.
The Managing Director of the Food Crops Research Institutel Dr. Paddy Likhayo, highlighted the significance of the exercise.
“This initiative is crucial for determining soil health, enabling farmers to choose the right fertilizers for their crops,” he said during a training session in Kitale.
The Assistant Director of Livestock at KALRO, Dr. Elkana Nyambati, noted that declining soil fertility is a major challenge affecting agricultural productivity across the country.
“After analysis, the findings will be used to create a digital soil map displaying critical components such as pH, phosphorus levels, and other nutrients. This will help establish a national soil database to guide government policies on fertilizer use,” said Dr. Nyabati.
The Western Cluster of the exercise, led by Dr. Mary Koech, a soil scientist at the Food Crops Research Institute in Kitale, covers six counties: Trans Nzoia, Bungoma, West Pokot, Turkana, Elgeyo Marakwet, and Uasin Gishu.
“For years, farmers have relied on blanket fertilizer recommendations, which often yield poor results because soils are highly varied. This exercise will address that gap,” said Dr. Koech.
Trans Nzoia County Director of Agriculture, Simon Mwombe, emphasized the urgency of the exercise, citing soil acidity as a major impediment to agricultural productivity in the region.
“This exercise is timely and will enable farmers to adopt soil amendment strategies for improved yields,” Mr. Mwombe said.