Kenya faces a potential food crisis as only 20% of its land is arable, with severe soil erosion and salinization threatening agricultural productivity. The Heinrich Boell Foundation emphasizes the need for sustainable practices, particularly agroecology, to restore soil health and enhance food security. Dietary diversity and organic inputs are vital for nutritional security, especially for vulnerable groups. Educational institutions are called to adapt by teaching agroecology.
A recent report by the Heinrich Boell Foundation highlights a pressing issue in Kenya, where only 20% of the land is arable, and soil degradation poses a growing threat to food security. Yearly, the country loses 26 tonnes of soil per hectare due to erosion, while salinization affects 4% of irrigated land, hampering food production efforts.
Joachim Paul, Director of the Heinrich Boell Foundation, emphasized the importance of soil, stating, “Soil is the foundation of life, yet it remains one of the most overlooked and undervalued resources.” He argued that protecting soil is vital not only for agriculture but also for ecosystems and climate resilience in Africa.
The report identifies detrimental practices, including reliance on synthetic fertilizers, monoculture farming, and deforestation, which contribute to soil degradation and reduced fertility. Alarmingly, 63% of the land is affected by acidity, 80% of soils face phosphorus deficiency, and 75% experience depleted organic carbon levels.
To combat these issues, sustainable farming practices such as agroecology are recommended. Dr. Harun Warui from the Heinrich Boell Foundation stated, “Agroecology offers a sustainable path forward by integrating biodiversity, soil management, and organic inputs such as organic fertilizer and biopesticides.”
Christine Gatwiri, a Project Coordinator at Route to Food Initiative, highlighted the need for dietary diversity as a long-term nutrition security solution and called for a shift towards organic inputs to enhance soil quality. She noted that healthy soils lead to nutrient-dense crops, positively impacting human health.
In a related workshop, Dr. Martin Oulu emphasized that agroecological approaches could address food insecurity significantly while restoring biodiversity. He questioned the reliance on imported fertilizers and suggested training farmers in organic manure production.
Lastly, the article urges educational institutions to adapt to these practices by integrating agroecology into agricultural courses to promote knowledge transfer and biodiversity conservation. Agroecology encompasses crop diversification, conservation tillage, biological pest control, and sustainable land management practices.
The alarming report by the Heinrich Boell Foundation underscores the critical state of Kenya’s arable land and soil health, projecting an impending food crisis. It highlights the imperative for sustainable agricultural practices like agroecology to enhance soil fertility and combat food insecurity. Invigorating dietary diversity through organic practices is essential for long-term nutrition security, particularly for vulnerable populations. Collaborative efforts from various sectors, including educational institutions, are crucial in implementing these sustainable approaches to bolster food production and protect biodiversity.
Original Source: www.kenyanews.go.ke
