Farmers urged to prioritise soil health to boost yields

They noted that proper soil management, including regular testing and the use of appropriate farming inputs, plays a key role in restoring soil fertility and ensuring sustainable agricultural production.

Experts further emphasised that adopting modern farming practices and working closely with agricultural officers can significantly boost productivity and help farmers avoid unnecessary losses.

Agriculture Engineering Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Engineer Laban Kiplagat, attributed the decline in productivity to long-term land use and soil degradation, noting that the Agriculture Soil Management Policy of 2023 seeks to address these challenges.

“Continuous land use without proper soil management has greatly contributed to declining productivity, and the 2023 Agriculture Soil Management Policy is aimed at addressing these issues,” said Kiplagat.

Innovation and Design Strategist at Shamba Sense Bonstein Sisa said many farmers continue to incur losses because they fail to seek proper guidance from experts on soil pH levels.

“Many farmers are making losses in the long run because they do not seek the right information from experts regarding soil pH levels,” noted Sisa.

Alex Mwaura, the Country Director at Digital Green, cited destruction of ecosystems and the overuse of chemicals as some of the poor farming practices affecting soil health.

“The destruction of ecosystems and excessive use of chemicals are among the poor practices that continue to affect soil health and agricultural productivity,” said Mwaura.

Meanwhile, Nandi County Agriculture and Co-operative Development CECM Dr. Kiplimo Araap Lagat called for the adoption of innovations that support farmers’ access to information.

“We need to embrace innovations that enhance farmers’ access to information and modern agricultural practices,” said Dr. Lagat.