CABI convenes workshop designed to strengthen Kenya’s soil information system

CABI and ISRIC — World Soil Information recently hosted a workshop with the Kenya Agriculture and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) in Kenya aimed at advancing the development of Kenya’s national soil information system (SIS), also known as KenSIS. The workshop was supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

CABI and ISRIC staff discussing the SIS Framework at the workshop in Kenya. Photo credit: Alvaro Valverde.

Dr Lydiah Gatere of CABI said ″After the success of the stakeholder workshop in Zambia, it was important to maintain momentum. The Zambia event helped attendees to take stock of the key players in the country’s soil community, identify gaps in the country’s soil information architecture and begin the process of creating a roadmap for ZamSIS. We want to replicate this in Kenya, a country with ambitious plans for a national soil information system.″ 

The workshop was part of the Soil Information Systems Review project. Coordinated by CABI and ISRIC, the project has undertaken a comprehensive review of several existing SISs to understand which soil intervention approaches have worked, which have not, and where to take innovation to scale.

The findings from the workshop in Kenya helped inform the further development of the Framework, a key output of the SIS review project. Validated through earlier consultations in Zambia, the Framework is designed to guide the creation of robust SIS infrastructures. In August at the Africa Food Systems Forum’s 2024 summit in Kigali, Rwanda, CABI and ISRIC launched a new online platform showcasing the Framework.

Lydiah Gatere said ″SISs are more than just technical tools; they are a collaborative process involving several organisations and sectors. This means social, financial, and institutional factors are pivotal to the sustainability of a SIS.″

″We incorporated these findings into the Framework and worked with CABI’s IT team to create a bespoke platform tailored to each user’s needs. The platform should be the first point of call for those looking to improve their current system or create a new one″ she added.

CABI and ISRIC staff at the launch of the SIS Framework at Africa Food Systems Forum in Kigali, Rwanda, in September 2024. Photo credit: Alvaro Valverde.

Workshop identifies important next steps for KenSIS

During the workshop in Kenya, participants from KALRO discussed the vital role a SIS plays in improving soil health and optimising agricultural inputs such as fertilizers.  A key finding from the workshop was that while Kenya currently lacks an operational national SIS, there are strong existing foundations upon which KenSIS can be built.

The soil information system in Ghana will not only centralise soil data but also provide valuable information for farmers, enabling more efficient use of resources and fostering sustainable land management practices. A proposed roadmap for KenSIS will guide the development process, ensuring collaboration across ministries and the involvement of key donors.

Important next steps were identified at the workshop, such as the need for clear mission and vision statements that align with stakeholder needs, address capacity gaps, and enable needs assessments to reflect evolving priorities. A significant outcome of the workshop was the recognition of the need for a short-term solution to inform the upcoming fertilizer subsidy scheme.

Ultimately, the session highlighted the importance of collaboration between KALRO, CABI, ISRIC, and other partners in achieving Kenya’s SIS goals. Henry Mibei of CABI said ″As Kenya advances towards a functional SIS, this workshop has laid the foundation for a collaborative, inclusive, and innovative approach to enhancing soil health and improving agricultural productivity nationwide. CABI and ISRIC are excited to continue supporting KALRO in these ongoing efforts.″

Forthcoming workshop in Ghana

In October, CABI and ISRIC will support the strengthening of the existing SIS in Ghana (GhaSIS) by organising a 2-day stakeholder workshop. The event is taking place at the request of Ghana’s Council for Scientific and Industrial Research – Soil Research Institute (CSIR-SRI).

At the event, CABI and ISRIC will present the Framework to attendees and facilitate group discussions to assist CSIR-SRI in the development of a roadmap for the design and implementation of GhaSIS.