The role of soil science in agricultural development in East Africa

Abstract

Agriculture is the mainstay of the economy of the three countries of East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda). It employs about 80 to 90 percent of the population of these countries and is also the main source of food and foreign exchange earnings. However, the agricultural development in the region has remained below expectation during the last five decades. Although food production increased slightly in the sixties and seventies, rapid declines occurred during the last decade. During this period there has been a dramatic increase in population in the region. Soil science, as a subdiscipline of the science and technology of agriculture, has played a modest role in agricultural development in East Africa, particularly in the field of crop production. This paper discusses the role of soil science in East Africa dating back to the beginning of this century up to the present day. Emphasis is laid on the role of soil science in sustainable agricultural production in the region taking into account the conflict between the urgent need to increase food production and the long term concern for sustainability. It also discusses briefly the constraints in extension of soil science as part of agricultural extension and gives suggestions on the future role of soil science in agricultural development in the region.