NAIROBI, Kenya – In a move to revolutionize Kenya’s agricultural sector, the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KARLO) has embarked on a comprehensive digitized soil testing and sampling program across 45 counties.
This initiative, aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity, is being implemented in collaboration with county governments and the national Ministry of Agriculture.
KARLO researcher Peterson Njeru revealed that the exercise is set to collect over 77,000 soil samples from farms nationwide.
Speaking during a training session at the Mwea Irrigation Agricultural Development, Njeru explained that the digital sampling will offer tailored recommendations to farmers, particularly on the optimal fertilizers for their specific soil conditions.
“This initiative will provide precise data, enabling the government to align its fertilizer subsidy program with the ecological needs of different regions,” Njeru stated.
He highlighted the adverse effects of continuous fertilizer use without proper guidance, which has led to soil acidification and a subsequent decline in food production.
Njeru underscored the role of trained agripreneurs, who will visit farms in three counties, utilizing mobile technology to transmit data to KARLO laboratories for detailed analysis.
This digital approach marks a departure from the traditional manual sampling methods, which have often struggled to yield actionable insights.
John Maina from the Ministry of Agriculture emphasized the critical impact of soil degradation on food production.
“The government will now have the necessary data to make informed decisions on the appropriate fertilizers and nutrients needed to rejuvenate the soil,” Maina noted.
The program will see trainees collaborating with county government officers, chiefs, and assistant chiefs to ensure comprehensive soil testing.
Farmers across the targeted regions are being urged to actively participate in the initiative, which promises to bolster food security through scientifically-informed agricultural practices.
