About Programme
It’s the practice of protecting and improving the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soil, ensuring its long-term fertility and productivity. This creates a thriving ecosystem in the ground, full of beneficial microorganisms, organic matter, and a balanced structure.
Healthy soil is one teeming with life, from beneficial microbes to earthworms, all working together to create a fertile environment for plants to grow. Healthy soil nourishes our crops, filters water, stores carbon, and supports a biodiversity. Unfortunately, conventional farming practices can degrade soil health over time, leading to decreased yields, increased erosion, and environmental damage. Moreover, soil is under threat from erosion, overuse, and pollution, leading to decreased productivity, food insecurity, weakened ecosystems, and even climate change.
At Ambokili Farm, we’re committed to responsible land use and management, and soil health conservation is at the heart of it.
“Essentially, all life depends upon the soil ... There can be no life without soil and no soil without life...”
Soil Health Conservation through
No Tillage
Our decision to forgo traditional tillage practices stems from a deep-seated understanding of soil dynamics. Tilling disrupts the soil’s natural composition, leading to erosion, compaction, and loss of valuable nutrients. Moreover, it disturbs the intricate web of soil microorganisms essential for nutrient cycling and plant health. No-tillage, on the other hand, lays the groundwork for sustainable agricultural practices since it,
- Maintains soil structure
- Promotes water filtration
- Mitigates erosion
Our experience with no tillage?
Soil Health Conservation through
Cover Cropping
At Ambokili, we’re passionate about nurturing the land, not just crops. Our goal is to have a verdant tapestry woven across the Farm, not just during harvest, but throughout the year. Thus, we practice cover cropping. But what exactly is cover cropping, and why did Ambokili Farm consider as one of its agricultural endeavours?
- To prevent soil erosion
- To increase soil fertility
- To conserve moisture
- To preserve nutrients
Soil Health Conservation through
Companion Planting
From our humble beginnings of cultivating a handful of plant varieties, we’ve undergone a remarkable transformation at Ambokili Farm. What once started with Black Nightshade (Managu), Spinach, Cowpeas, beetroot, and carrots has evolved into a diversely of cultivated farm. Now, we’ve embraced the growing of over 11 different plants that are flourishing in shared spaces across our fields, spanning….
- 2 acres of maize
- 1 acre of onions
- 2 acres hosting a vibrant mix of tomatoes, vegetables, watermelon, baby melon, pumpkin, green grams, beans, millet, and sorghum