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Kilifi farmers rebuild soil health to boost yields amid crisis

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By Henry Jami Mang’eni

Soil degradation is crippling agricultural output in Kilifi County, cutting yields in half and threatening food security. But a growing movement among farmers is reversing this decline through simple yet transformative changes: abandoning burning, embracing organic fertilisers, and planting drought-resistant crops.

In Ganze and parts of Kilifi North, farmers are now seeing real improvements after adopting soil-friendly practices. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Kenya’s average cereal yield has dropped from 1,962 kg/ha in the early 1980s to just 1,473 kg/ha in 2017, largely due to soil degradation. Yet, targeted interventions are proving that these losses can be reversed.

As a FarmBizAfrica Community Teacher, I have been working with 10 farmer groups to bridge the soil health knowledge gap that has long plagued our region. Many farmers, like Fredrick Mweni Charo from Tezo Ward, have seen firsthand how soil depletion has crippled productivity.

“When I was a small boy, my parents used to plough small areas and harvest a lot because the land was fertile and the forest cover was intact. Today, I plant improved varieties like Pwani Hybrid maize, but I can barely harvest five bags per acre due to poor soil conditions and unreliable rains,” said Charo.

A key contributor to soil degradation has been the burning of crop residues to clear land. While this method is seen as quick and cost-effective—reducing land preparation costs from Ksh 5,000 to Ksh 1,000 per acre—it severely impacts soil health. The FAO estimates that over 2 million tonnes of crop residues were burned in Kenya in 2017, releasing greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide into the atmosphere, further exacerbating climate change, and depleting soils.

“I have learned that burning land kills microorganisms and degrades the soil. I will now clear bushes without burning and use livestock manure on my larger farm to improve microbial activity,” said farmer Janet David Katana.

Another major issue is the over-reliance on synthetic fertilisers without proper soil management. While fertilizers provide nutrients, they also acidify the soil if used incorrectly. A study from the RELMA Technical Handbook 30 confirms that continuous use of acidifying fertilizers without liming leads to long-term soil degradation.

“I have used synthetic fertilisers on maize, but still don’t harvest much. I will embrace manure for its ability to boost microorganism populations in the soil to increase production,” said Kanze Chengo, a local farmer.

The loss of soil fertility in Kenya also highlights the urgent need for farmer education on proper soil analysis, composting, and the correct use of fertilisers. Many smallholder farmers assume that applying any fertilizer will improve yields, but without soil testing and the right balance of nutrients, fertility continues to decline.

To combat declining yields, farmers are now being trained on composting techniques and organic fertilisation. These practices replenish soil nutrients, restore microbial activity, and improve water retention—key factors in boosting productivity.

In addition, farmers are shifting towards drought-resistant crops like millet and Katram beans, which can thrive even with Kilifi’s erratic rainfall patterns.

“We were only relying on maize, cowpeas, and cassava, but after Kenya Cereals Enhancement Programme (KCEP-KRAAL) training, we’re now adding millet and drought-tolerant beans,” said Emily Charo, a local farmer.

Through community-based training, I teach farmers how to assess soil health, implement organic practices, and choose resilient crops. Yet, despite the success of these methods, there is a critical shortage of trainers. More facilitators are needed to expand the outreach and ensure that knowledge reaches every farmer in need.

If you are interested in joining me as a FarmBizAfrica volunteer and Community Teacher, please register here. Even a few hours a month could help transform hundreds of lives and improve food security in our region.

Photo: ©2016CIAT/GeorginaSmith


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