Blog Posts

This year’s World Social Justice Day theme, “Renewed Commitment to Social Development and Social Justice,” highlights the importance of building systems that ensure dignity, opportunity, and security for all. In Kenya, one of the clearest intersections between social development and social justice is the ability of households to afford food.

Kenya’s agriculture is at crossroads. While we often debate input subsidies, post-harvest losses, market access, and yields, we rarely talk about the foundation of all food production, “our soil.”
According to NAAIAP (2014) soil test report, nearly 75% of Kenya’s arable land is acidic, and a significant proportion of farmers continue applying blanket fertilizers (DAP) that may be doing more harm than good. Even more concerning, less than 10% of smallholder farmers have ever conducted a soil test. The result? Misdiagnosed soil problems, poor yields, wasted inputs, and a cycle of poverty and food insecurity.

In Kenya, Agriculture is viewed as the cornerstone of our economy, employing majority of people (especially in rural areas). However, for the youths, it still feels like a gamble with no safety net. The average age of a Kenyan farmer is 61 years, while over 75% of Kenya’s population is under the age of 35. This generational gap in farming is a warning sign.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development less than 10% of youth are actively engaged in agricultural production, a missed opportunity for both employment and innovation.