By Abdullahi Lukman
A new report has revealed that over 40 percent of East Africa’s soils are degraded, posing a major threat to agriculture and food production in the already food-insecure region.
Kenya facing an even more dire situation where only a fifth of croplands are arable.
The Soil Atlas Kenya Edition reports that soil degradation, driven by climate change and unsustainable practices, is a global crisis, but its impact is particularly severe in East Africa, jeopardizing food security, livelihoods, and ecosystem health.
In Kenya, croplands lose an average of 26 tons of soil per hectare annually to water-induced erosion, with some areas experiencing losses exceeding 90 tons.
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The report identifies overgrazing, unsustainable farming practices, deforestation, and erratic weather patterns as key drivers of soil degradation. In arid and semi-arid regions, salinization due to poor irrigation practices further exacerbates the problem.
Despite the challenges, governments, communities, and international organizations are promoting sustainable practices to restore degraded landscapes.
Agro-ecological methods, such as minimizing soil disturbance and diversifying crops, along with community-driven conservation efforts like terracing and reforestation, have shown promising results.
While these initiatives offer hope, sustained policy support, committed investments, and global partnerships are crucial for achieving lasting results.
Innovative technologies like soil mapping and satellite monitoring also hold potential for targeted interventions.
Without continued emphasis on restoring soil biodiversity and fertility, East Africa risks further degradation, threatening the resilience of its agricultural systems and the well-being of millions.
