More than 2,100 smallholder farmers across the Mwatate and Taveta sub-counties have received intensive agricultural training aimed at reversing declining crop yields through targeted soil health management.
The sensitization drive is part of the KCEP-CRAL Integrated Soil Assessment (ILSA) project, an initiative designed to eventually reach 4,528 small-scale farmers across the two sub-counties. This project focuses on improving soil health, maximizing crop productivity, and building climate resilience among local farming communities.
Speaking on the initiative, Stephen Mcharo, the Chief Officer for the Department of Agriculture in Taita Taveta County, noted that a vast majority of local farmers operate blindly without knowing the nutrient composition or overall quality of their soil. He hailed the ILSA project as a vital turning point that will enable farmers to scientifically understand their land and drastically improve their harvests.
“Many of our farmers do not know the quality or status of the soil in their farms,” Mcharo said. “This project serves as a crucial benchmark to ensure they benefit by identifying their soil profiles, which is the first step toward achieving high-quality yields.”
The Chief Officer emphasized the critical need for farmers to adopt the technologies and modern agronomic practices introduced by the project to secure long-term benefits for both their livelihoods and the environment. He explained that understanding specific soil nutrient deficiencies is the only way farming in the county can become truly profitable.
Furthermore, Mcharo pointed out that climate change has fundamentally altered soil chemistry and behavior, leaving many traditional farmers frustrated by consistently poor harvests despite their hard work. To counter this, he reassured residents that the county government is actively stepping up support to help farmers transition from subsistence farming to commercial agribusiness.
“If we can achieve surplus food production, it will allow our farmers to engage in farming as a profitable business, enabling them to comfortably sustain their families without financial hardships,” Mcharo added.
As the planting season approaches, the agriculture chief urged all farmers to strictly consult local agricultural extension officers before buying or applying any inputs, such as fertilizers and seeds, to ensure they match their specific soil types for maximum success.
