NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenyan agri-technology company UjuziKilimo has launched SoilPal Pro, a smartphone-based soil testing device it says can deliver laboratory-grade soil analysis on-site within seconds, marking what the firm describes as a global first in portable soil intelligence.
The device was unveiled on Friday, December 19, 2025, as part of the company’s push to expand precision agriculture tools beyond laboratories and into farmers’ fields.
According to UjuziKilimo, SoilPal Pro enables farmers, agribusinesses, and governments to conduct rapid soil assessments without the need for local calibration, allowing consistent use across different agro-ecological zones worldwide.
“For farmers, enterprises, and governments alike, this innovation provides the clarity, speed, and scale required to transform agriculture in the face of rising input costs, climate pressures, and food security demands,” said UjuziKilimo Chief Executive Officer Brian Bosire.
Bosire framed the launch as part of a broader effort to democratise access to soil data, long considered a bottleneck in agricultural productivity, particularly for smallholder farmers.
“SoilPal Pro isn’t just about knowing your soil, it’s about democratizing access to soil intelligence,” he said.
How the technology works
SoilPal Pro uses a smartphone-connected spectral soil sensor that combines visible and near-infrared (VNIR) spectroscopy with artificial intelligence and cloud connectivity.
Once inserted into the soil, the device analyses more than 13 key parameters, including nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, pH, organic carbon, moisture, and salinity.
Results are processed through UjuziKilimo’s proprietary predictive agronomy engine, which generates data-validated, localised recommendations delivered directly to the user’s smartphone in seconds.
The company says what previously required sample collection, transport, and laboratory analysis can now be done instantly in the field.
At 105 grams, the device is designed for rugged, real-world conditions.
Each test connects to UjuziKilimo’s cloud-based platform, where AI models trained on thousands of soil profiles across diverse agro-ecological zones continue to learn and adapt, improving accuracy and enabling large-scale use.
Addressing cost, climate, and food security
Soil testing has traditionally been slow, expensive, and centralised, limiting uptake among small and medium-scale farmers. UjuziKilimo argues that this has led to inefficient fertiliser use, higher production costs, and environmental degradation.
By providing instant soil health insights, the company says farmers can optimise input use, improve yields, and reduce costs.
The launch comes as Kenya and other countries grapple with rising fertiliser prices, climate variability, and food security pressures.
Agriculture contributes about 22pc of Kenya’s GDP and employs more than half of the labour force, making productivity gains politically and economically significant.
Agricultural economists note that access to reliable soil data is critical to climate-smart agriculture. “Precision input use starts with understanding the soil,” said a Nairobi-based agronomy expert.
“If tools like this are accurate and affordable, they could change how farmers make decisions, especially in rain-fed systems.”
Global ambitions, policy relevance
UjuziKilimo said SoilPal Pro works globally without local calibration, a feature the company believes will accelerate its expansion into Europe, the United States, Asia, and South America.
The device is now commercially available and targets individual farmers, agribusinesses, governments, and development partners.
The technology also has potential policy implications. Governments increasingly rely on soil data for land use planning, climate adaptation strategies, and fertiliser subsidy programmes. Faster, decentralised testing could support evidence-based agricultural policies and reduce dependency on overstretched public laboratories.
However, analysts caution that adoption will depend on pricing, training, and integration with existing extension services.
“Technology alone is not enough,” said a policy analyst focused on food systems. “Its impact will depend on how well it is embedded within farmer support systems and regulatory frameworks.”
As Kenya positions itself as a regional hub for agri-innovation, the launch of SoilPal Pro underscores the growing role of local startups in addressing structural challenges in agriculture. Whether the device lives up to its promise at scale will be closely watched by farmers, policymakers, and investors alike.
