By Jackline Mauta

Across western Kenya, a silent crisis has been unfolding beneath the soil. Thousands of smallholder farmers have continued to invest in quality seed and fertilizer, yet their yields keep falling. The challenge, as it turns out, isn’t mismanagement . It is the soil itself, quietly shifting in ways that undermine crop performance.

Soil acidity has been rising across the region, locking away essential nutrients and weakening plant growth. Even with the right fertiliser, crops struggle to absorb what they need when the soil’s chemical balance is disrupted. For farming households already navigating climate stress and rising costs, this invisible problem has placed growing pressure on food security and livelihoods.

At FIPS Africa, years of field work and community-level research have pointed toward a simple, targeted intervention capable of reversing this decline: lime microdosing. It is a method designed to work with smallholder realities, low cost, minimal labour, and maximum impact on soil health.

By applying just five grams of agricultural lime per planting hole, acidity is neutralised right where roots feed. This precise placement avoids disturbing soil structure, protects beneficial microbes, and restores the nutrient availability that crops require for healthy growth.

The results emerging from our field trials have been profound. Farmers adopting lime microdosing have reported yield improvements of up to 60 percent, a vital boost for families reliant on every harvest. For many, the change has translated into better food availability, higher incomes and renewed confidence in their land.

Affordability has been a major advantage of the approach. Because microdosing focuses on small, effective quantities rather than blanket application farmers have been able to reduce input costs by over 80 percent. Restoring soil health no longer demands significant capital just knowledge and access.

Beneath the surface, the transformation is even more encouraging. As acidity drops, earthworms return, microbial activity increases and soils begin to breathe again. These signs of recovering biodiversity are the foundation of long-term soil fertility and regenerative agriculture.

To ensure farmers can access this solution easily, FIPS Africa has partnered with Homa Lime and agro-dealers across western Kenya. This collaboration strengthens local supply chains and ensures that communities can obtain quality lime alongside reliable extension support.

The message is clear: when soils are restored, everything else follows productivity, resilience, and food security. Lime microdosing is proving that sustainable farming doesn’t always require expensive technology; sometimes, it starts with a handful of lime and the right information.