63% of Kenya's arable land is acidic due to chemical fertilizers, impacting maize and tea production.

63% of Kenya's arable land is now acidic due to chemical fertilizers, causing a decline in production of staples like maize and tea. The use of fertilizers has resulted in soil degradation, decreasing the availability of essential nutrients for plants and making it more vulnerable to erosion. Africa spends around $60bn annually on food imports, with this expected to rise to $110bn by 2025, and experts suggest relying on chemical fertilizers is not sustainable. Agriculture ministers at a recent summit called for a return to traditional farming practices to replenish lifeless soils.

July 24, 2024
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