Alarm as new report shows only 20% of Kenya’s soil suitable for food production

Kenya’s agricultural land is staring at ‘death,’ as the Soil Health Report 2025 indicates that only 20 per cent of Kenya’s soil is suitable for food production.

Soil is a vital resource that impacts food and nutritional security. Research shows that soils are also indispensable in the fight against climate change because they store more carbon than vegetation and the atmosphere combined. Carbon is absorbed from the atmosphere by plants and then stored in soils through the plants’ roots.

According to recent findings, however, over 40% of East Africa’s soils are degraded, threatening agriculture, food security, and livelihoods.

Unfortunately, only 20% of croplands in Kenya are arable, with an alarming loss of up to 26 tons of soil per hectare annually due to soil erosion. Furthermore, soil salinization affects 40% of irrigated land, jeopardizing food production and sustainability.

Speaking during the launch of a Soil Atlas Kenya Edition, Joachim Paul, Director, Heinrich Boll Foundation said, “Soil is the foundation of life, yet it remains one of the most overlooked and undervalued resources. Its health influences the food we eat, the water we drink, and the air we breathe. Protecting soil is not just an agricultural concern, it is essential for sustaining ecosystems, food security, and climate resilience, particularly in Africa.”

According to the newly launched Kenyan Soil Atlas, soil degradation in Kenya is undermining agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods, exacerbating food insecurity, and increasing social inequalities.

The overuse of synthetic fertilizers, monoculture farming, and deforestation is blamed for the declining soil fertility, high erosion, and desertification, with 63% of arable land affected by acidity, 80% of soils suffering from phosphorus deficiency, and 75% of Kenya’s soils experiencing depleted organic carbon levels, reducing soil fertility and microbial activity.

Soil experts have maintained that over-reliance on fertilizers alone cannot be a solution to Kenya’s soil health crisis, with studies suggesting that increased fertilizer use does not always result in better agricultural yields.

Dr. Harun Warui, the Lead Programme Coordinator, Agroecology and Food Rights at Heinrich Boell  Foundation, who was also at the event, said, “Agroecology offers a sustainable path forward by integrating biodiversity, soil management, and organic inputs such as organic fertilizer and biopesticides.

Studies show that agroecological farming can improve yields by up to 30 per cent while reducing dependence on costly synthetic fertilizers. Investing in these practices will not only restore soil fertility but also build resilience against climate change.”

Christine Gatwiri, Project Coordinator of the Route to Food Initiative and co-author of ‘The Missing Link: Soil Health and Nutrition Crisis’, said she believed that Sustainable soil management will not only protect the soil but also enhance the nutritional value of the food we consume as declining soil health directly affects food nutrition.

She strongly believes that over-reliance on industrial fortification ignores the root nutrient-deficient soils and advises for a shift toward organic inputs, sustainable soil practices, and dietary diversity, which is crucial for long-term nutrition security.

“Healthy soils lead to nutrient-dense crops, which in turn support human health and reduce reliance on external fortification. While we acknowledge the government’s commitment to food fortification through mandatory large-scale fortification (MLSF) policies, we must address the root cause—nutrient-deficient soils," she emphasised.

"Sustainable soil restoration practices, including organic inputs and diverse cropping systems, are essential for long-term nutrition security, particularly for vulnerable groups such as pregnant women and lactating mothers.”

It was noted that Kenyan farmers are now adopting alternative soil restoration methods like biofertilizers, composting, and agroforestry to improve soil health and productivity.

However, agrochemical corporations profit from fertilizer and pesticide sales that continue to influence policies that block sustainable agricultural reforms.

A case in point is that in Kenya, 44% of pesticides used are banned in the European Union due to environmental and health risks, this, emphasizing the need for the government to strengthen regulations to protect Kenyan farmers and consumers from harmful practices and scale up solutions that require stronger policy and financial support to reduce dependency on synthetic inputs.

Sylvia Kuria, an organic farmer for the last 15 years in Kenya’s Mahi Mahiu and a co-editor of the Soil Atlas, believes that soil is an infinite resource and should be preserved.

“Soil is not an infinite resource, it is a living, breathing system that requires care, investment, and respect. we must move beyond seeing soil as just dirt beneath our feet. Protecting and restoring soil health is vital for ensuring food security, protecting biodiversity, and addressing climate change," Sylvia stated.

The head of Agricultural engineering in the Kenya Agriculture ministry, Eng. Laban Kiplagat, at the same time, assured the audience that the government is slowly switching to organic fertilizer to help heal the Kenyan soil for it to remain healthy for generations to come.

“We are aware that in the past, there have been unscrupulous people taking advantage of frustrated farmers to increase yields.

We have embarked on a process of checking all the dealers of agro-inputs across the country; any person found in violation will be dealt with,” said Kiplagat.

The 2024 African Soil Health and Fertilizer Summit acknowledged the need for holistic solutions, yet industrial players continue to push for increased fertilizer use.

Soil enthusiasts have felt that policies must support sustainable farming practices like agroecology to restore soil fertility.

The Soil Atlas 2025, launched in Nairobi by the Heinrich-Boll-Foundation and partners, is a comprehensive publication that examines global and local soil challenges, offering data-driven insights and policy recommendations.

It is designed to inform decision-makers, researchers, and the public on the urgent need to protect and restore soil health. The atlas covers topics such as sustainable agriculture, climate change, and the socio-economic impacts of land degradation.