ABSTRACT
Soil degradation and declining agricultural productivity remain major challenges for Kenyan farmers. Regenerative farming practices, particularly compost making, offer an effective solution for restoring soil fertility, enhancing biodiversity, and improving climate resilience. This study examines various composting techniques applicable within Kenyan farming systems, including traditional heap and pit composting, the Berkeley method, vermicomposting, and Bokashi fermentation. Through an analysis of their scientific principles, practical requirements, and suitability across different agroecological zones, the study highlights the role of compost in supporting regenerative agriculture. The findings show that compost significantly improves soil structure, nutrient content, microbial activity, and water-holding capacity. Adoption challenges such as labour requirements, limited technical knowledge, and socio-economic constraints persist, but increasing awareness, extension support, and community-based training demonstrate strong potential for scaling. The study concludes that compost making is a cornerstone of regenerative farming in Kenya and provides actionable recommendations for farmers, policymakers, and development partners.
1. INTRODUCTION
Regenerative farming has emerged as one of the sustainable solutions for restoring degraded soils and enhancing climate resilience in Kenya. Years of continuous land use, chemical fertilizer dependency, and erratic weather patterns have contributed to declining soil fertility across the country. Compost making—an organic process of converting biodegradable materials into stable, nutrient-rich amendments—has become a central practice for rebuilding degraded soils. Compost enhances soil structure, increases microbial biomass, boosts water retention, and provides slow-release nutrients essential for crop growth. Despite this, many Kenyan farmers still rely heavily on synthetic fertilizers due to misinformation, limited access to training, or constraints in labour and time.
This research examines compost making techniques used in Kenya and evaluates their contribution to regenerative farming. It aims to identify the most effective composting methods for different agricultural contexts, assess their benefits and limitations, and explore adoption challenges among Kenyan farmers. The findings are designed to inform agricultural stakeholders, guide extension programs, and support the implementation of climate-smart and regenerative farming policies.
2. OVERVIEW OF REGENERATIVE FARMING IN KENYA
Regenerative farming prioritizes practices that restore ecological balance, rejuvenate soil health, and enhance biodiversity. In Kenya, regenerative practices such as minimal tillage, intercropping, mulching, agroforestry, and composting are gaining traction among smallholder farmers. These practices aim to rebuild soil organic matter, reduce erosion, improve moisture retention, and reduce dependence on synthetic inputs.
Adoption is increasing in regions such as Central Kenya, Rift Valley, Western regions, and parts of Eastern Kenya where farmers face declining yields and rising input costs. However, challenges such as limited extension services, lack of clear guidelines, and initial labour demands slow down wider adoption. Despite these limitations, regenerative agriculture offers long-term benefits including enhanced soil fertility, reduced production costs, increased carbon sequestration, and improved climate resilience, making composting a critical tool in Kenya’s agricultural transformation.
3. COMPOSTING PRINCIPLES AND SCIENTIFIC BASIS
Composting is a controlled biological decomposition process driven by microorganisms that convert organic materials into stable humus. The efficiency of composting depends on several scientific principles, including the Carbon-to-Nitrogen (C:N) ratio, temperature, aeration, moisture, and particle size. The ideal C:N ratio for composting is approximately 25–30:1, providing a balance that supports microbial activity. Carbon-rich materials such as crop residues and dry leaves provide energy, while nitrogen-rich materials like manure and green biomass support microbial growth.
During composting, the mixture progresses through the mesophilic, thermophilic, and maturation phases. Temperatures in the thermophilic stage can reach 55–65°C, helping kill pathogens and weed seeds. Adequate aeration ensures oxygen availability for aerobic microbes, preventing foul smells associated with anaerobic activity. Moisture levels must be maintained at 50–60% to support microbial life. The final product—mature compost—is dark, crumbly, odorless, and nutrient-rich, ideal for improving soil structure and plant nutrition. Understanding these principles allows farmers to produce high-quality compost consistently.
4. COMPOST MAKING TECHNIQUES USED IN KENYA
Farmers in Kenya rely on several compost making techniques depending on the resources available, climate conditions, and specific agricultural needs. Traditional methods such as heap composting and pit composting are simple and widely used, requiring minimal investment. In the heap method, materials are layered above the ground and turned periodically, while pit composting involves decomposition in shallow pits, offering moisture retention in dry areas.
The Berkeley hot composting method is a rapid technique that produces compost in 18–21 days. It requires frequent turning every 2–3 days and a precise balance of carbon and nitrogen materials. Vermicomposting uses earthworms, especially Eisenia fetida, to break down organic waste into vermicast rich in nutrients and beneficial microbes. This technique suits small-scale farmers but requires shade and moisture control. Bokashi composting, an anaerobic fermentation process using Effective Microorganisms (EM), is effective for kitchen waste and small spaces. It is gaining popularity in urban areas for its efficiency and minimal odour production. Each method has unique strengths and is suitable for different agroecological conditions in Kenya.
5. COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF COMPOST TECHNIQUES
A comparative analysis of composting techniques highlights differences in decomposition speed, nutrient quality, labour demands, and suitability. Traditional heap and pit methods are cost-effective and require little technical skill but are slow, taking 3–6 months to produce mature compost. Nutrient losses may occur if the material is exposed to heavy rains or poor aeration. The Berkeley hot method decomposes materials faster and produces nutrient-rich compost with fewer pests, though it requires intensive labour.
Vermicomposting results in high-quality vermicast with enhanced microbial life and nutrient availability but demands controlled environmental conditions. Bokashi composting produces a fermented product that can be applied directly to soil or used as a precursor for composting. It is ideal for urban setups but requires the purchase of microbial inoculants. Cost-benefit evaluations show that while vermicomposting and hot composting may demand more labour or initial investment, they often produce superior compost. Ultimately, the choice of technique should consider climate, labour, materials, and farming goals.
6. ADOPTION, CHALLENGES, AND FARMER PERSPECTIVES
Adoption of compost making in Kenya is influenced by socio-economic, cultural, and institutional factors. Many farmers are aware of the benefits of organic fertilizers but face limitations such as inadequate labour, lack of technical knowledge, competing farm duties, or perceptions that compost is inferior to inorganic fertilizers. Access to extension services is limited in some counties, restricting farmers’ ability to learn and apply improved composting methods.
However, farmers who have adopted composting report increased yields, improved soil health, and reduced fertilizer costs. NGOs, county governments, and community-based organizations are actively promoting composting through farmer field schools, demonstration plots, and training programs. Opportunities for enhancing adoption include integrating compost training into climate-smart agriculture programs, supporting youth participation, introducing low-cost composting technologies, and strengthening local compost markets. Addressing prevailing challenges will further scale composting in regenerative farming.
7. CONCLUSION
Compost making is a foundational practice in regenerative farming and plays a crucial role in restoring soil fertility, enhancing biodiversity, and promoting climate resilience in Kenya. The study demonstrates that composting techniques—from traditional methods to advanced systems like Bokashi and vermicomposting—offer practical, sustainable solutions for improving soil health. While each technique presents unique strengths, the choice depends on agroecological conditions, labour availability, and farmer objectives.
Despite proven benefits, challenges such as limited knowledge, labour demands, and socio-economic barriers continue to hinder adoption. Increasing farmer training, strengthening extension services, and promoting community-level composting initiatives will significantly improve uptake. The study concludes that scaling compost making across Kenya can drive a major transformation towards sustainable, regenerative, and climate-resilient agriculture.