This will ensure that the soil continues to supply life support services and reduce farmers’ vulnerability to crop failure due to effects of climate change. By WANJIRU KAMAUMore by this AuthorThat poor soil fertility is the principal constraint to production in smallholder farming in Africa is widely acknowledged, with experts declaring soil fertility in the continent as being at stake. The sector is vulnerable to increasing droughts and floods which lead to soil erosion, deforestation and loss of soil fertility and productivity. FOOD SUPPLYThe PH (acidity or alkalinity) of the soil influences nutrient availability and biological activity. It was Ambrose Pritchar who opined that the erosion of soil fertility has been masked by a “soup of nutrients” poured over croplands, giving us a false sense of security while there is a 70 percent loss of the top soil.

Source: Daily Nation March 17, 2019 18:56 UTC