Soil health: Unlocking better yields for Uganda’s farmers

_______________

OPINION

By Jamilu Muzinga

Across Uganda, millions of smallholder farmers are the backbone of the country’s food supply. They work on plots often smaller than two acres, producing most of the food consumed locally. Yet, despite their hard work, many struggle with low yields. One major reason is often overlooked—the health of the soil.

Healthy soil is more than just dirt. It is a living ecosystem that determines how well crops grow, how resilient they are against pests and diseases, and how they withstand climate shocks. Unfortunately, soil degradation is a growing problem in Uganda, particularly in intensively cultivated regions such as the Mount Elgon slopes, the cattle corridor, and parts of western Uganda.

Without good soil management, even improved seeds and careful farming practices cannot deliver strong harvests. But the encouraging news is that smallholder farmers can revive their soils with simple, affordable practices—and the benefits are remarkable.

One of the most common mistakes is the belief that more fertiliser means more food. In reality, over-fertilisation can damage soil structure, kill beneficial microbes, and waste money. It is like giving a patient too much medicine—it harms rather than heals.

The better approach is balance. Farmers should consider the specific nutrient needs of their crops and soils. Crop rotation also plays a key role. Planting the same crop repeatedly (monocropping) drains specific nutrients, leaving soils “tired” and unproductive.

Farmers don’t need expensive tests to begin understanding their soils. Simple observation offers valuable clues. Sandy soils feel gritty and drain water quickly, while clay soils are sticky when wet and hard when dry.

For more precise information, affordable soil pH kits are available in many agro-input shops. Soil pH affects how plants absorb nutrients, with most crops thriving in slightly acidic to neutral soils (pH 6–7). A basic soil test can guide farmers in choosing the right fertiliser mix instead of relying on blanket applications.

Adding organic matter is one of the simplest and most effective ways to build soil health. Animal manure, crop residues, and compost are widely available and often free. When incorporated into the soil, they improve water retention in sandy soils, enhance drainage in clay soils, and provide a steady supply of nutrients.

Healthy soil is also full of life. Earthworms, for example, are a clear sign of good soil health. If you dig and find them, it means your soil is functioning well.

While nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) are the main fertiliser nutrients, crops also need micronutrients such as zinc, boron, and manganese—just like humans need vitamins in small amounts. Ignoring these “hidden nutrients” can limit yields and weaken crop resistance to diseases.

Uganda’s soils are diverse. What works in Kapchorwa’s volcanic soils may not work in the dry rangelands of Karamoja. That is why location-specific advice is crucial. Extension services, farmer cooperatives, and development partners need to support smallholders with affordable soil testing, tailored fertiliser plans, and training in practical soil management.

Where such efforts have been made, the results are clear: once unproductive fields are producing abundant harvests, improving household incomes and strengthening food security. If Uganda is to achieve sustainable food security and uplift rural livelihoods, soil health must be put at the centre of farming. Farmers should see soil as a living asset that needs constant care. Policymakers and development partners must invest in affordable soil services and farmer education.

As the old wisdom says: “Take care of the soil, and the soil will take care of you.”

The writer is a soya bean and maize farmer