Kenya’s deteriorating soil health is emerging as one of the biggest threats to agricultural productivity, with experts estimating that the country loses about 320 million tonnes of soil annually.

During a high-level stakeholder’s workshop at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) held on July 29–30, 2026, experts called on county governments to invest in stronger soil diagnostic services, warning that continued neglect of soil health could threaten food security while pushing farming costs even higher.

The workshop, themed Strengthening County-Level Capacity for Regular Soil Diagnosis and Evidence-Based Soil Health Management in Kenya, was spearheaded by Prof.  John Wesonga (JKUAT), Dr. Josiah Ateka(JKUAT) and Dr. Rintaro Kinoshita (JICA), and jointly organized by JKUAT, BIBA Kenya and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The forum brought together over 30 agricultural officers from counties across the country, alongside researchers, development partners, civil society organizations and private sector actors, to exchange experiences on soil health management, soil-water relations, low-cost irrigation technologies, digital decision-support tools and sustainable agricultural production.

The forum sought to strengthen county capacity in soil testing services, farmer advisory systems and digital soil information management while creating a platform for dialogue on frameworks for prioritizing key soil parameters to support cost-effective and scalable soil diagnostic services.

JKUAT Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs, Prof. Robert Kinyua, reaffirmed the University’s commitment to generating and disseminating knowledge that addresses national development challenges. He said universities must continue working with governments, researchers and development partners to transform scientific knowledge into practical solutions that improve livelihoods and strengthen food systems.

The discussions came against the backdrop of growing concern over the declining health of Kenya’s soils. According to experts, the country is losing approximately half a centimeter (of productive topsoil every decade, yet nature takes centuries to replace what is lost. Healthy soils, they noted, are essential for food production, water conservation and climate regulation.

Presenting the current state of soil health in Kenya, JICA Agriculture Expert Dr. Rintaro Kinoshita described poor soil health as a “silent killer” because many soil problems develop unnoticed until crop productivity begins to decline.

Dr. Kinoshita observed that many farmers continue applying fertilizers without understanding the nutrient status of their soils, leading to low fertilizer efficiency, declining yields and unnecessary production costs. Instead of blanket fertilizer recommendations, he advocated county-specific soil testing that enables farmers to apply the right nutrients, in the right quantities and at the right time.

The workshop also focused on strengthening oversight and quality assurance mechanisms for both public and private soil testing and advisory services, as well as exploring opportunities to leverage digital soil information systems for improved soil monitoring and evidence-based decision-making.

Participants examined practical approaches to reverse declining soil health by strengthening county knowledge in soil management, soil-water relations, digital decision-support tools, low-cost irrigation technologies and evidence-based extension services.

They also explored ways of improving laboratory quality assurance, expanding farmer advisory systems and increasing collaboration between county governments, research institutions and the private sector to strengthen county-level soil diagnostic services.

Among the innovations showcased was the SoilDoc System, a portable soil fertility management technology presented by Dr. Lydiah Gatere. The battery-powered system enables agricultural extension officers to carry out rapid soil analysis in the field and generate immediate recommendations on fertilizer application, soil amendments and crop management.

Unlike conventional laboratory testing, SoilDoc provides near real-time results while collecting geo-referenced farm data that can be used to build digital soil information systems for county planning and agricultural decision-making.

Researchers also presented findings from Kiambu County showing that neighbouring farms often have vastly different nutrient profiles despite sharing similar environmental conditions. The findings reinforced the need for localized soil testing rather than generalized fertilizer recommendations.

The Principal of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Prof. Daniel Ndaka Sila, cautioned that declining soil quality not only reduces crop productivity but also lowers the nutritional value of food, contributing to micronutrient deficiencies that affect more than two billion people globally.

Prof. Sila further warned that soil contamination from unsustainable farming practices and other human activities poses increasing risks to food safety and public health.

Representatives from counties including West Pokot, Nakuru, Makueni, Kirinyaga, Murang’a, Laikipia, Nandi, Bungoma, Narok, Kisumu, Kiambu, Busia, Nyandarua and Isiolo participated in the forum alongside researchers, civil society organizations, development partners and private sector players.

The workshop is expected to produce a roadmap for strengthening county soil diagnostic services, improving farmer advisory systems and expanding collaboration among stakeholders. The roadmap will also guide practical capacity-building activities, including a hands-on soil analysis and low-cost irrigation practicum scheduled for October 2026.

Through these efforts, stakeholders hope to establish stronger county-level systems that enable farmers to make informed decisions, improve soil productivity and build more resilient food systems in Kenya.