A recent symposium emphasized the need to increase stakeholder inclusion in Conservation Agriculture (CA) to enhance its adoption among farmers. Experts and participants highlighted the importance of bringing in the private sector, harmonizing policies, and expanding markets to ensure that CA technologies, inputs, and practices benefit more farmers.
The Kenya National Conservation Agriculture Symposium, held in Nairobi on March 12, brought together various organizations working on CA. The goal was to align efforts and promote a shared understanding of the best strategies to scale up its adoption.
One of the key discussions focused on the need for consistency in implementing CA practices. Although many farmers already use some elements of CA, the challenge lies in bundling these practices effectively and maintaining them over time. Historical data shows that CA has been in use since the early 1980s, yet its adoption remains low, with only about 30,000 farmers in Kenya currently practicing it—approximately 1% of the total farming population.
The target set by the symposium was to increase the number of CA practitioners to one million by 2030. Achieving this requires coordinated efforts from multiple stakeholders, including the government, private sector, and non-governmental organizations. The network aims to facilitate learning, sharing of best practices, and real-life demonstrations to encourage more farmers to adopt CA.
One of the proposed strategies is to emphasize the benefits of CA rather than just the technical aspects of the practice. Farmers need to understand how CA improves productivity, enhances soil water retention during droughts, conserves biodiversity, and contributes to healthier soils. Expanding access to mechanization services was also identified as a crucial factor, ensuring that smallholder, medium, and large-scale farmers have the necessary tools to practice CA efficiently.
The symposium also emphasized the importance of policy coordination at both national and county levels to integrate sustainable farming practices, including CA. A policy framework is already in place, with a Soil Fertility Policy developed in 2023 aiming to improve soil health and promote conservation farming. Government officials reaffirmed their commitment to supporting CA, recognizing it as a key pillar for enhancing soil fertility and increasing agricultural productivity.
Despite the potential benefits, CA adoption remains limited. Globally, about 200 million hectares are under CA, but Africa accounts for only 3.4 million hectares, with Kenya contributing a mere 30,000 hectares. This translates to just 15% of the world’s cropped area under CA, 3.3% in Africa, and less than 1% in Kenya.
One of the main barriers to widespread adoption is the lack of mainstream recognition by policymakers. CA has yet to be fully accepted as a transformative technology, and its benefits have not been widely acknowledged by investors in agriculture. The private sector, including manufacturers of CA inputs and equipment, has not fully tapped into the opportunity due to limited demand.
To address this, experts stressed the need to create demand by demonstrating the profitability of CA. While non-profit organizations and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) have successfully provided proof of concept, further expansion requires the involvement of key players in the agricultural value chain.
Stakeholders such as machinery manufacturers, off-takers, processors, and aggregators must be engaged to support farmers. For instance, ensuring access to no-till equipment and creating reliable markets for CA produce can make the practice more attractive. By integrating private sector players, CA can become a profitable and sustainable farming approach.
Governments also have a role in supporting CA, but they require strong scientific evidence to justify policy changes. Traditional farming methods like plowing and harrowing have long been taught as standard practice. Shifting to CA requires clear data demonstrating its advantages. While existing research supports CA, further studies may be needed to reinforce its credibility and encourage policy support.
The symposium concluded with a call for greater collaboration among all stakeholders, recognizing that CA is a viable solution for improving soil health, increasing productivity, and making farming more resilient to climate change. By expanding partnerships, coordinating policies, and engaging private sector investment, the adoption of CA in Kenya can be significantly accelerated in the coming years.
