NAIROBI: In a significant boost to Kenya’s agricultural sector, a German initiative has helped thousands of farmers restore productivity to lands previously rendered barren by the impacts of climate change. The Cross Soil Project, launched by the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), has provided crucial training and resources to rehabilitate farmlands devastated by erratic weather patterns, offering a lifeline to a nation heavily reliant on agriculture.
According to Kenya News Agency, the project, which ran from 2015 to 2023, has made notable progress, with 119,808 smallholder farmers from 46,080 households benefiting from the program. GIZ advisor Flora Ajwera, who oversees Extension Services and Training, highlighted that farmers who participated in the project managed to rehabilitate 38,755 hectares of farmland. This effort led to a significant 37 percent increase in yields of staple crops such as maize and beans compared to plots that did not receive treatment.
Ajwera explained that the suc
cess of the initiative is rooted in training 2,010 farmer groups and 29 water resource user associations in soil protection and rehabilitation techniques. The project emphasized sustainable land management and agroecological practices, which are both cost-effective and aligned with climate change mitigation efforts. These practices use organic resources to enrich the soil, enhancing its health and productivity.
In regions like Western Kenya, soil tests revealed severe degradation, with high acidity and nutrient depletion. Ajwera noted that farmers were trained to implement measures such as terracing to control erosion and improve soil health. Depending on the land’s gradient, alternatives like planting strips of grasses or incorporating agroforestry trees were recommended.
Ajwera also mentioned that addressing soil acidity with agricultural lime and organic fertilizers was crucial for improving soil structure and water infiltration. This approach supports in-situ water harvesting and encourages conservation
agriculture practices like intercropping, which reduce moisture loss.
The Cross Soil Project stands as a beacon of hope, demonstrating that with the right training and resources, farmers can reclaim their lands and contribute to Kenya’s food security and economic stability.