More than 1,000 farmers in Uasin Gishu County have participated in a comprehensive training program on soil health and soil organic carbon, signaling a growing interest in soil testing, sustainable fertility management, and emerging carbon-credit opportunities.
The initiative, jointly organized by Vibo Africa, the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), and the County Government of Uasin Gishu, brought together farmers and over 50 county agricultural extension officers.
The Friday sessions, led by the County Director of Agriculture Mr. Reuben Seroney, focused on soil health principles, proper soil sampling techniques, soil testing procedures, and the role of soil organic carbon in sustainable farming.
Farmers welcomed the initiative, noting that they have long sought opportunities to have their soils properly tested and to better understand the conditions of their farms, including concerns over soil acidity and declining fertility.
Mr. Seroney highlighted that the training complements the administration of Governor Jonathan Bii’s investment in climate-smart agriculture. This includes the provision of modern machinery such as chisel ploughs, which support improv𝚎d soil management and conservation agriculture practices.
“We encourage all farmers to embrace regular soil testing, balanced fertilizer application, and climate-smart farming practices to improve soil health, productivity, and resilience,” said Mr. Seroney.
The Director also urged farmers to take advantage of the current rains by planting food crops early, noting that the county experienced inadequate and poorly distributed rainfall in the previous season, which negatively affected maize production.
He further called on farmers to diversify their enterprises and adopt climate-smart practices to safeguard food security amid changing weather patterns.
The training also introduced participants to the potential of soil organic carbon and carbon-credit initiatives, which can reward sustainable farming practices that increase carbon storage in agricultural soils.
Healthy soils, climate-smart farming, and timely planting are key to strengthening food security and improving farmers’ livelihoods in Uasin Gishu County.
By Maurice Aluda
