Kenyatta Presides Over Soil Testing Exercise

Farmers from across the country are expected to take their soils for testing in a bid to find the appropriate fertilizer for the various regions.

This is to maximise production from all parts of the country.

The Deputy Director at the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) Lusike Wasilwa said that the soil testing exercise will be offered at all KARI centres countrywide.

Wasilwa said that KARI has already mapped soils in 121 Districts adding that this would enable the Government to import suitable fertilizers for different regions.

“KARI will extend services in places where they do not have centres at the moment so that they can reach as many farmers as possible,” Wasilwa said.

The Director also said that in partnership with the Kenya Forest Service and the Horticultural Crops Development Authority, they have managed to sample soils in 9 different irrigation schemes which are not growing enough produce for export.

KARI has pledged to partner with the County Government of Nakuru in order to provide extension services to farmers at the grass root levels.

Nakuru County Governor Kinuthia Mbugua in response to the pledge said that his government will take advantage of the research services available to boost Agricultural output in the county.

By Beth Nyaga