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• Author: Forbetterment

Empowering Women Farmers Through Soil Science

March 2024 - Present

Over the past six months, our team has made significant strides in empowering smallholder women farmers across Kenya through the application of soil science. This report outlines our achievements, challenges, and future directions.

Project Overview

The Soil Fertility Testing project, launched in March 2024, is a collaborative effort between Forbetterment Foundation and soil experts. Our primary objective is to assist smallholder women farmers in embracing soil sciences and understanding its crucial connection to crop yields. This initiative comes at a critical time, as Kenya's agricultural sector has faced years of extreme weather conditions and poor agricultural practices, resulting in land degradation and diminished harvests.

Key Achievements

Pilot Program Implementation: We successfully implemented the pilot program in Machakos. This initial phase involved 15 smallholder women farmers, providing them with hands-on training in soil testing techniques and interpretation of results.
Soil Testing Kits Distribution: In partnership with local agricultural suppliers, we distributed 2 basic soil testing kits to participating farmers. These kits allow for on-site pH and nutrient level assessments, empowering farmers to make informed decisions about soil management.
Educational Workshops: We conducted 1 educational workshop, reaching over 30 small-holder farmers. These sessions covered topics such as soil structure, nutrient cycling, and sustainable farming practices tailored to local conditions.
Collaboration with Research Institutions: We continue to seek a partnership framework with the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) and the University of Nairobi's Faculty of Agriculture. We want to enhance the scientific rigor of our program and get valuable insights into region-specific soil challenges.
Data Collection and Analysis: We provide ground data collection including soil sampling, and small–holder farmer surveys.

Challenges and Mitigation Strategies

While we have made substantial progress, several challenges have emerged:
Funding Limitations: Expanding the pilot program to reach more farmers has been constrained by available funding. We are actively pursuing additional grants and exploring partnerships with international development agencies to scale our operations.The cost of a complete soil analysis is Ksh. 2,500 taking about 2 weeks upon submission of a sample and paying.
Training Resource Scarcity: The demand for training has outpaced our current capacity. To address this, we are developing a train-the-trainer program and creating digital learning resources accessible via mobile phones.
Market Exploitation: We've observed instances of unscrupulous marketers selling fertilizers and soil amendments without proper soil testing. In response, we've launched an awareness campaign to educate farmers on the importance of soil testing before purchasing inputs.
Persistence of Poor Soil Management Practices: Changing long-standing farming practices remains a challenge. We are addressing this through continuous engagement, demonstration plots, and peer-to-peer learning networks.

Impact and Success Stories

• Farmers who have implemented soil testing and appropriate management practices have reported reduced or zero soil nutrient deficiency indicators on their crops.
• Women participants have reported increased confidence in farm decision-making and improved negotiation skills when dealing with input suppliers.
• Local agricultural extension officers continue to express confidence in the approach used by Forbetterment Foundation to involve them and expand outreach.

Future Directions

Geographical Expansion: We aim to extend the program to five additional counties, targeting 1,000 new smallholder women farmers.
Advanced Soil Analysis: In partnership with KALRO, we plan to introduce more comprehensive soil testing services, including micronutrient analysis and soil biological assessments.
Digital Integration: We are developing a mobile application that will allow farmers to log soil test results, receive personalized recommendations, and track their progress over time.
Policy Advocacy: Building on our findings, we will engage with county and national government officials to advocate for policies that promote sustainable soil management practices.
Research Publication: We are preparing a comprehensive report on the state of soil fertility in smallholder farms across Kenya, which will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed agricultural journal.

Conclusion

The Soil Fertility Testing project represents a crucial step towards sustainable agriculture and food security in Kenya. By empowering smallholder women farmers with soil science knowledge, we are not only improving crop yields but also fostering resilience in the face of climate change and market uncertainties. Many of our agricultural-based interventions will also rely on the foundational work done in improving knowledge of small-holder farmers.

For more information or to support our work, please visit forbettermentfoundation.org or contact our office at info@forbettermentfoundation.org.
For specific project details, reach out to Mr. Christiano on email: globalchristiano [at] gmail [dot] com