Soil is the foundation of agriculture, yet across Africa, it is being depleted at an alarming rate.
Years of over-reliance on chemical fertilisers, combined with unsustainable farming practices, have led to soil acidification, nutrient depletion, loss of organic matter and increased vulnerability to erosion.
“These challenges weaken plant resilience, reduce crop yields and threaten long-term food security,” Prof. Kitungulu Zaake, a soil scientist, says.
During the 2025 Harvest Money Expo, various organic solutions to soil degradation were exhibited.
One of the exhibitors, SR Kuku, showcased organic fertilisers.
Ravi Sankar, a fertiliser production manager and senior agronomist at SR Kuku, says a critical factor in soil health is organic matter.
It plays a fundamental role in maintaining soil structure, enhancing water retention, supporting microbial activity and improving nutrient availability.
He says however, due to excessive chemical input and poor soil management, many African farmlands are losing their fertility faster than it can be regenerated.
Balanced approach
Sankar says for decades, farmers have relied on synthetic fertilisers as a quick solution to boosting production.
While the fertilisers provide immediate nutrient availability, they do not contribute to long-term soil enrichment.
Excessive use of chemical inputs leads to soil hardening, reduced microbial activity and increased leaching of essential nutrients, making land less productive over time.
Scientific research has demonstrated that the best approach to fertilisation is a balanced one, combining organic matter with essential mineral nutrients.
Organic fertilisers restore soil fertility by improving biological activity and soil structure, while mineral nutrients ensure immediate plant needs are met.
Beyond agriculture, the impact of fertilisation practices extends to public health and environmental sustainability.
The increasing consumer awareness about the risks of chemical residues in food, including links to chronic illnesses, has fuelled the demand for sustainably produced crops.
Farmers who adopt balanced fertilisation methods will not only improve soil fertility and yields, but also enhance the marketability of their produce in a world shifting towards safer, eco-friendly food systems.
Recognising the urgent need for sustainable soil restoration, the production of high-quality organic fertilisers designed to restore soil fertility, improve yields and support eco-friendly farming has started in Uganda.
Using advanced Japanese technology, the organic fertilisers are scientifically formulated to increase organic matter content, improving soil texture and water retention, enhance microbial diversity, supporting natural nitrogen fixation and biological activity and provide slow-release nutrients, ensuring a steady supply of essential elements.
The fertiliser also promotes long-term soil regeneration, reducing the risks of acidification and erosion, plus maintaining environmental safety, preventing chemical run-off and pollution.
Sankar says the transition towards hybrid fertilisation, where organic matter is integrated with essential mineral nutrients, represents the next step in sustainable agriculture.
It offers;
- Immediate plant nutrition through controlled mineral release
- Long-term soil improvement by enhancing organic content
- Better water retention and erosion control
- Reduced dependency on excessive chemical inputs, improving cost-effectiveness for farmers
Poor fertiliser practices
Sankar says while some fertilisers focus solely on profit-driven marketing, encouraging the use of smaller quantities of expensive synthetic fertilisers, this does not provide a sustainable solution for soil health.
- Overuse of synthetic fertilisers depletes soil
- Soil needs organic matter to maintain fertility, water retention, and microbial activity.
- A balanced approach ensures both high yields and long-term sustainability
