UN agency faults continuous use of fertiliser

Workers carry fertiliser from the National Cereals and Produce Board, stores in the past. A new report has raised concerns about fertiliser use. Photo/Jared Nyataya 

By EVELYN SITUMA, esituma@ke.nationmedia.com

In Summary

• Continuous use of DAP has resulted in reduced soil pH, according to a report by FAO and Kenya’s Agriculture Ministry.
• DAP is applied during planting; it raises soil acidity.

Continuous use of fertiliser has weakened soil quality and led to low agricultural productivity in food basket zones, a new joint report by FAO and Kenya’s Agriculture Ministry says.

The findings of the ‘Coverage for the High and Medium Rainfall Areas Food Situation Assessment’ by Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the ministry has once again ignited debate on the relevance of the input in food security.

Teams were drawn from the agriculture ministries of the national and county governments.

“Continuous use of DAP (Di Ammonium Phosphate) has resulted in reduced soil pH,” the report reads in part.

DAP is applied during planting; it raises soil acidity. Scientists have been debating the use of fertiliser in supporting sustainable agriculture in Africa, where many countries have perennially relied of relief support to feed millions of people.

But opinion is divided on the level of fertiliser use.

Some scientists say fertiliser should only be used over a period and substituted while some crop experts in Kenya say it is “central to enhancing agriculture.”

READ: Kenya faces maize shortage, warns FAO

Dr Ephraim Mukisira, the director general of the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (Kari) confirmed that continuous use alters soil acidity but asked farmers to use it according to soil type and crop.

From this month, the government will commission a one-year soil testing and analysis project on the recommendation of the team that conducted the survey.

It is expected to look at the whole issue in-depth and the UN agency says the testing will help to increase productivity. 

In addition, the government will also train farmers on soil fertility management where they will be provided with soil analysis kits with the State also recommending appropriate soil improvement practices.

Mono-cropping and overuse of fertiliser have had negative effects but Kari, the principal agricultural research agency, warned against rushed conclusion, saying only a comprehensive study on soil fertility will give the true picture and guide experts and also the farming community.

“It’s from the report that we will get factual information regarding the correct fertiliser to use in certain regions,” said Dr Mukisira.

He added that the recommendation will help farmers, stockists, and marketers to make better decisions.