Kenya Turns to Data, Tech Innovation to Reverse Widespread Soil Degradation

• Kenya hosted the inaugural Data for Soil Health and Scale Summit that brought together scientists, innovators and farmers
• The summit held in Nairobi on Tuesday, June 3 and Wednesday, June 4, brought together 400 participants who shared ideas on data-driven soil management
• Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said the insights from the summit will help local farmers unlock the full potential of their land

Wycliffe Musalia has over six years of experience in financial, business, technology, climate, and health reporting, providing deep insights into Kenyan and global economic trends. He currently works as a business editor at TUKO.co.ke.

Nairobi, Kenya - Hundreds of stakeholders in technology and agriculture have converged in Nairobi for the inaugural Data for Soil Health and Scale Summit.

The summit brought together 400 participants, including government officials, scientists, innovators, and farmers from across Eastern and Southern Africa to chart ways on proper soil management using technology and innovation.

Why Kenya needs innovation for soil health

Speaking during the two-day event held in Nairobi from Tuesday, June 3 to Wednesday, June 4, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said the country will focus on data, technology, and grassroots innovation to unlock local farmers' land potential.

Kagwe noted that the insights from the summit will turn the tide on widespread soil degradation that is crippling crop yields and threatening food security.

“I was farming blind—pouring money into the wrong fertilisers. Soil testing changed everything. It is time we equip every smallholder in Kenya with the tools to unlock the full potential of their land,” said Kagwe.

Kagwe revealed that the government expects to spend up to KSh 90 billion on fertiliser subsidy, but challenged innovators to come up with ways to realise value for farmers.

"There is no point in spending a single shilling if we do not know that we are using the correct fertiliser. As you use data, understand that it is critical to a farmer... ensure that the farmer is making more money."

The summit, hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development in partnership with the World Bank, showcased how artificial intelligence, decentralised soil testing kits, and microbial bio-fertilisers could help farmers transition from guesswork to data-driven soil management.

Why data is needed to rescue soil

With an estimated 65% of Kenya’s soils degraded by acidity, nutrient loss, and poor farming practices, the summit framed the crisis not only as an agronomic issue but a looming economic and food security threat.

“We are staring at declining yields, rising food costs, and deepening poverty if we don’t act. Data is our new fertiliser—it helps us work smarter, not harder,” said Dr. Paul Kipronoh Ronoh, Principal Secretary in the State Department for Agriculture.

The summit builds on momentum from the Nairobi Declaration on Soil Health signed in 2024 and ties into the government’s Fertiliser and Soil Health Implementation Plan, which includes the rollout of a national Kenya Soil Information System (KenSIS).

A highlight of the summit was the Data4SoilHealth and Innovation Challenges, where 24 finalist teams from across Africa, Asia, and Europe pitched their solutions, ranging from mobile-based soil diagnostics to AI-powered mapping platforms and carbon monitoring tools.

The grand prize went to Ycenter Shambah Solutions from Kenya, whose mobile AI kit delivers rapid, affordable soil diagnostics in under 15 minutes.

What can counties do for soil health innovation?

The summit also underscored the role of county governments in collaboration with the public-private sector in soil health management.

Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga, who is the vice chair of the Council of Governors, said the devolved governments are working towards the betterment of farmers' income.

“Counties are not just implementers, we are innovators. This is about the farmer. Better yields. Better income. That is the bottom line,” said Kahiga.

According to the World Bank’s regional operations manager, Anne Bakilana, harnessing private sector innovation will build more resilient food systems in the country.

Why soil health is important in Kenya

According to the Kenya Climate Action Plan, the government plans to reduce carbon emissions by 32% in 2030, through the implementation of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS).

Experts argued that this can be achieved by ensuring soil health by tapping into soil carbon to manage carbon emissions.

FarmBizAfrica Managing Director Jenny Luesby explained to TUKO.co.ke that investments need to be drawn to soil carbon, which is a major player in greenhouse gas emissions.

Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.

Source: TUKO.co.ke