Climate & resilience
Kenya’s SoilFER Programme Maps Over 3,600 Samples to Boost Climate‑Resilient Farming
Kenya’s Soil Mapping for Resilient Agrifood Systems (SoilFER) has collected more than 3,600 soil samples across 45 counties, delivering location‑specific data to farmers via mobile phones and training them as “soil doctors” to improve yields under climate stress.
Digital Soil Maps Reach Farmers in 45 Counties
Since its launch, the Soil Mapping for Resilient Agrifood Systems (SoilFER) programme has gathered more than 3,600 soil samples, covering all 45 Kenyan counties. Each sample is georeferenced and analysed in three newly renovated laboratories equipped with state‑of‑the‑art technology provided by the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO). The results are compiled into a digital soil map that transmits location‑specific information—such as pH, nutrient levels and recommended fertilizer rates—directly to farmers’ mobile phones. This data platform aims to help producers make evidence‑based decisions that sustain yields despite increasing climate shocks.
Training Farmers to Diagnose and Treat Soil Degradation
Beyond data collection, SoilFER equips selected farmers with the skills to diagnose soil health problems and prescribe corrective measures, a role known as “soil doctor.” Trainees learn to interpret test results, identify degradation patterns and recommend appropriate amendments, reducing reliance on excessive chemical inputs. Peer‑to‑peer outreach spreads this knowledge across rural communities, enabling neighbours to adopt more precise fertilizer applications and improve overall soil fertility. By aligning agronomic practices with locally verified soil conditions, the programme seeks to raise crop productivity while protecting the environment.
Institutional Partnerships and Regional Expansion
The initiative is a joint effort between the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization and KALRO, with financial backing from the United States Department of State and the government of Japan. The partnership also launched the Kenya Soil Partnership, a national laboratory network, and introduced the Global Soil Doctors Programme to coordinate expertise across institutions. While Kenya serves as the pilot, SoilFER is currently being implemented in six additional countries—Ghana, Guatemala, Honduras, Mozambique, Tunisia and Zambia—extending the model of data‑driven, climate‑smart agriculture throughout the Global South.