Kenya has made significant strides in organic farming, ranking among the top six African countries that have expanded their land acreage dedicated to organic agriculture in recent years. However, the country continues to face food insecurity, with more than two million people struggling to access a sufficient and nutritious diet.
There is a growing call for a shift in agricultural investment, moving away from conventional farming methods towards more sustainable organic practices. Experts argue that this transition is essential to ensuring food security, protecting the environment, and sustaining future generations.
Kenya’s current reliance on conventional farming has had long-term consequences, particularly in terms of soil degradation. Over the years, this approach has been associated with the depletion of soil health, leading to declining productivity. Research indicates that more than 60 percent of farmers practicing conventional farming have experienced increased soil acidity, reducing their farms’ ability to yield high returns.
Conventional agriculture, which relies on synthetic chemicals, high-yield crop varieties, and mechanized farming, was initially embraced as a means of producing large quantities of food for both local consumption and export markets. Despite significant government and private sector investments in this model, agricultural productivity has continued to decline over time.
To combat these challenges and sustain the country’s growing population, agricultural stakeholders emphasize the need for a balance between conventional and organic farming. Investing in organic farming would help restore soil fertility, improve food production, and promote long-term sustainability.
Kenya’s population is projected to reach 57.8 million by 2030, an 18 percent increase from the 48.8 million recorded in 2020. This rapid growth calls for an urgent reassessment of food production strategies to ensure that future generations have access to sufficient food supplies.
While organic farming promotes the use of natural inputs and environmentally friendly agricultural techniques, experts acknowledge that conventional practices still play a role in food production. However, the effectiveness of chemical-based farming has declined due to deteriorating soil conditions. As a result, there is a pressing need to prioritize organic alternatives, including the use of organic fertilizers and locally produced inputs.
One of the key recommendations for enhancing organic farming is increased government support. Experts suggest that authorities should boost investment in local production of organic inputs such as fertilizers, which are currently dominated by small-scale industries. Strengthening this sector would enable more farmers to access organic alternatives, ultimately improving productivity and sustainability.
Additionally, providing subsidies for organic inputs could encourage more farmers to transition to organic farming. Such financial support would ease the burden of high production costs and promote a more widespread adoption of sustainable agricultural practices.
Globally, the organic farming sector has witnessed significant growth, with approximately 3.4 million hectares of land dedicated to organic agriculture across Africa. Kenya has contributed to this expansion, with around 173,000 hectares converted to organic farming. Currently, about 63,000 farmers in the country have been certified as organic producers.
Despite these achievements, more investment is needed to ensure the continued growth of organic farming. With strategic policy support and increased funding, organic agriculture could become a key driver of sustainable food production, addressing food security challenges while protecting the environment for future generations.
