Kenya Faces Food Crisis Due to Loss of Arable Land and Soil Degradation

A report by the Heinrich Boell Foundation warns of a potential food crisis in Kenya due to only 20% of land being arable and severe soil degradation. With significant loss of soil annually and poor nutrient levels, experts advocate for sustainable agroecological practices. Such methods promise improved agricultural productivity and enhanced nutrition security.

Recent developments indicate that Kenya may soon face a food crisis due to a significant reduction in arable land, as reported by the Heinrich Boell Foundation. The report, released on February 27, reveals that only 20 percent of the nation’s land is arable, with projections indicating worsening conditions in the future. The country experiences substantial soil loss, averaging 26 tonnes per hectare annually, compounded by soil salinization affecting 4 percent of irrigated land, markedly hindering food production efforts.

Joachim Paul, Director of the Heinrich Boell Foundation, highlighted the critical role of healthy soil in sustaining life, asserting, “Soil is the foundation of life, yet it remains one of the most overlooked and undervalued resources.” Addressing an audience during the launch of the “Soil Atlas-Kenya Edition” in Nairobi, Paul emphasized the alarming soil degradation threatening food productivity and exacerbating social inequality, particularly in rural regions.

The report further notes that the overreliance on synthetic fertilizers, monoculture farming, and deforestation has contributed to declining soil fertility, increased erosion, and elevated desertification rates. With 63 percent of land affected by acidity, 80 percent experiencing phosphorus deficiency, and 75 percent suffering from depleted organic carbon levels, urgent action is required to restore soil fertility.

Dr. Harun Warui, Lead Programme Coordinator at Heinrich Boell Foundation, advocated for sustainable farming practices such as agroecology, which promotes biodiversity and soil management. He stated, “Agroecology offers a sustainable path forward by integrating biodiversity, soil management, and organic inputs such as organic fertilizer and biopesticides.”

Additionally, Christine Gatwiri from Route to Food Initiative (RTFI) stressed the importance of dietary diversity for long-term nutritional security. She called for a shift toward organic input usage and sustainable soil practices, which enhance the nutrient quality of food. Gatwiri remarked, “Healthy soils lead to nutrient-dense crops, which in turn support human health and reduce reliance on external fortification.”

Dr. Martin Oulu from the Intersectoral Forum on Agroecology and Agrobiodiversity (ISFAA) echoed similar sentiments, alerting that harmful agricultural inputs threaten biodiversity. He questioned the need for imported fertilizers when farmers could easily produce organic alternatives. Oulu proposed that educational institutions update their agricultural curricula to embrace agroecology to foster biodiversity protection.

Agroecological methods encompass crop diversification, conservation tillage, and the use of natural fertilizers. These practices not only improve soil health but also enhance resilience against climate change, offering promising solutions for Kenya’s food security challenges.

The report from the Heinrich Boell Foundation reveals alarming insights into Kenya’s shrinking arable land and deteriorating soil quality, underscoring the urgent need for sustainable agricultural practices. By adopting agroecological methods, there is a potential to enhance food production, nutrition security, and biodiversity. The collective push from agricultural experts and organizations emphasizes the importance of restoring and protecting soil health for the benefit of future generations and the nation’s food independence.

Original Source: www.kenyanews.go.ke