Kenya Calls for Data-Driven Farming Solutions to Restore Soil Health and Boost Food Security

By Christine Ojung’a

Kenya has called for a region-wide shift to data-driven farming in an urgent push to tackle worsening soil degradation that threatens food security and farmers’ incomes.

According to Mutahi Kagwe, the Agriculture Cabinet Secretary, access to accurate soil data is critical to halting declining productivity among smallholder farmers.

“The fortunes of my farm changed overnight due to soil testing. I was farming blindly, squandering money on the wrong fertilizers—a mistake that far too many Kenyan farmers make,” said Kagwe. “We need to provide our smallholders with the information and resources they need to realize the full potential of their land.”

He spoke during a high-level summit in Nairobi convened by the government, in collaboration with the World Bank that brought together over 400 innovators, policymakers, funders, researchers, and farmers from across Eastern and Southern Africa to accelerate digital solutions that improve soil fertility.

The Data for Soil Health and Scale Summit expanded on the commitments of the 2024 Nairobi Declaration on Soil Health and aligned with Kenya’s Fertilizer and Soil Health Implementation Plan (KFSH), including the development of a National Soil Information System. Farmers in Kenya lose billions of dollars annually due to deteriorating soils, increased acidity, nutrient depletion, and outdated farming methods.

Dr. Paul Kipronoh Ronoh, Principal Secretary in the State Department for Agriculture, said the ministry is undertaking a nationwide soil analysis to generate open-access data that can guide smarter farming. “Kenya’s soil degradation challenge affects both economic stability and food security,” said Ronoh. “By investing in soil information systems and new technology, farmers may improve productivity and sustainability.”

One of the summit’s key features was a showcase of cutting-edge innovations aimed at translating fragmented soil data into actionable insights. Twenty-four finalists in the Data4SoilHealth and Innovation Challenge presented tools ranging from AI-powered soil diagnostics and mobile advisory services to carbon monitoring platforms and fertilizer supply chain optimization.

Top Innovations Awarded

Kenya’s Ycenter Shambah Solutions won the Data4SoilHealth Challenge for its mobile, AI-powered soil testing kit that delivers results in under 15 minutes—offering farmers quick, affordable diagnostics.

Other standout entries included:

• Antugrow (Kenya): AI platform integrating sensors and satellite imagery for soil health mapping
• Earth Guard (Kenya): AI and GIS-based system for carbon sequestration and soil restoration
• AgWise DST (Italy): Digital tools for site-specific nutrient management
• Varaha Climate Ag (India): Remote sensing for soil organic carbon monitoring

Academic awardees included:

• AgriChain Kenya: A blockchain-enabled GIS + AI platform for supply chain transparency
• Kiduka Research Hub: Hyperlocal agroecological data to tailor nutrient recommendations
• Kibabii University: Predictive AI modeling for soil degradation
• University of Amsterdam: Optimized fertilizer distribution using advanced linear programming

In the Innovation Challenge, Uganda’s Umuntu Agrobiotics emerged as the winner with a “Bio-blend” microbial solution that boosts yields by 40% while reducing production costs by 42%.

Runners-up included:

• Rhea Soil Health Management (Kenya): Real-time AI testing for smallholders
• Mechro Limited (Malawi): Chameleon Tools using color indicators to manage water and nutrients

The Thryve Award for Soil Testing went to:

• CropNuts (Kenya): Accredited lab diagnostics integrated with the OneSoil platform
• Ujuzi Kilimo (Kenya): Mobile sensor technology with SMS-based soil health results

Anne M. Bakilana, World Bank Manager of Operations for Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, and Somalia, emphasized the importance of private sector involvement: “We must leverage the private sector to unlock sustainable growth and improve soil fertility management. Data is the key to building smarter, more resilient food systems.”

Governor Mutahi Kahiga of Nyeri County, Vice Chair of the Council of Governors, added, “Counties are not spectators—we are active players in the soil agenda. The farmer must benefit. Better income, better yields, better resilience—that is the goal.”

The summit closed with a strong call to action from Agriculture Secretary Collin Marangu: “By uniting data, innovation, and purpose, we can restore our soils and secure livelihoods for millions. Let’s keep this momentum going to ensure healthier soils for future generations.”