ROME, Italy — Kenya and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) have committed to strengthening collaboration on soil health to improve agricultural productivity, promote sustainable farming and enhance long-term food security.
The commitment followed a meeting between Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Sen. Mutahi Kagwe, and FAO Deputy Director-General Beth Bechdol at the organisation’s headquarters in Rome, Italy.
The discussions focused on advancing soil health initiatives through technology, data-driven decision-making and capacity building to support sustainable soil management and strengthen the country’s agricultural systems.
FAO reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Kenya’s efforts to improve soil health, recognising the importance of healthy soils in increasing farm productivity, protecting the environment and building resilient food systems.
Among the key areas discussed was the use of technology and soil intelligence to support precision farming, enabling farmers to make informed decisions based on the specific conditions of their soils.
The approach is expected to strengthen agricultural planning and help farmers adopt practices that improve soil fertility, enhance crop performance and promote the sustainable use of natural resources.
The meeting also highlighted the need to strengthen the Kenya Integrated Agricultural Management Information System (KIAMIS), which is now integrated with the Kenya Agricultural Data Information Centre (KADIC).
The integration is intended to support the use of agricultural data in decision-making, improve access to relevant information and strengthen the coordination of initiatives aimed at improving productivity across the agricultural sector.
The two sides further discussed plans to establish a team of soil health champions to drive awareness and action on sustainable soil management.
The champions are expected to play a role in promoting better soil management practices and encouraging farmers and other agricultural stakeholders to prioritise soil health as a foundation for sustainable production.
Kenya and FAO also underscored the importance of training more soil scientists to strengthen national capacity in soil research, assessment and management.
Developing a stronger pool of specialists is considered essential to addressing soil-related challenges, generating reliable data and providing technical guidance to farmers and agricultural institutions.
The collaboration comes amid growing recognition of the importance of sustainable land management in securing agricultural production and protecting the natural resources on which farming communities depend.
Healthy soils are essential for crop growth, water retention and nutrient availability. Their degradation can undermine productivity, increase production risks and threaten the sustainability of food systems.
By strengthening soil science, expanding the use of agricultural technology and improving access to reliable data, Kenya aims to equip farmers with information that can help them make better production decisions.
The engagement reinforces the country’s broader push towards data-driven agriculture, with a focus on restoring soil health, protecting the environment and building resilient food systems for future generations.
Through continued collaboration with FAO, Kenya seeks to strengthen national capacity and advance sustainable agricultural practices that support improved productivity and long-term food security.
