Soil sampling to improve farming in Embu, CO says

Embu is among seven counties selected for the pilot phase of the government’s digital soil sampling and testing initiative, which aims to enhance agricultural productivity before nationwide implementation.

Other counties involved in the pilot project include Tharaka Nithi, Kitui, Makueni, Trans-Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, and Kajiado.

According to KALRO researcher Peterson Njeru, the soil collection exercise in these counties is expected to conclude within a week, after which the samples will undergo analysis.

“The test results should be ready by the end of March, after which the program will be expanded to other counties, excluding Nairobi and Mombasa,” he stated.

Njeru explained that the initiative seeks to assess soil nutrients, pH levels, and structure to help farmers determine the most suitable fertilizers based on soil deficiencies.

While supervising sampling in Manyatta Constituency on Thursday, he noted that the findings will guide government policy on fertilizer procurement under the subsidy program, aligning it with soil types in different ecological zones.

Embu County Chief Officer for Agriculture, Njeru Mwita, welcomed the exercise, terming it a game-changer that will improve farming and boost profitability.

“For years, our farmers have applied fertilizers without understanding their soil’s nutrient levels. This initiative will provide clarity and help maximize yields,” Mwita said.

Mr Peter Kimaru, a farmer, expressed optimism, saying the exercise will address the long-standing challenge of farming blindly without soil analysis.

“By knowing the chemical and physical composition of our soils, we can make informed choices on fertilizer use to improve productivity,” Kimaru stated.

A total of 1,900 soil samples will be collected from all 20 wards in Embu County. Mwita urged farmers to cooperate with the teams conducting the exercise.