This archive report was first published on 16 October 2019.
Kenya's breadbasket regions are facing a severe crisis as soils deteriorate due to years of overuse and nutrient deficiency.
The national average fertiliser use is less than 10kgs per acre, compared to the recommended 75kgs, leading to a significant imbalance in nutrients.
Smallholder farmers are struggling to understand the importance of fertiliser in maintaining soil health and crop productivity.
Fertiliser replaces nutrients removed from the soil during harvest, allowing soils to maintain or increase plant growth.
Since the 1960s, global food production has more than doubled as farmers have adopted fertiliser use.
However, crop producers must be careful about how they apply fertiliser, as too little or the wrong compounds can lead to poor crop yields and environmental pollution.
The 4R Nutrient Stewardship concept advocates for matching nutrient supply with crop requirements in fertiliser use to reduce nutrient losses.
A good fertiliser should contain all registered nutrients with every granule containing the correct ratio of essential nutrients, reducing the risk of yield loss.
By embracing prudent use of fertilisers, Kenya can raise yields and improve food security.
